Tough defense was a defining factor for Phoenix Brophy Prep once again.

The third-ranked Broncos won 20-17 in a 6A Conference non-region battle against Mesa Mountain View Friday at Phoenix College’s Hogan Field. 

It wasn’t a perfect night for Brophy (6-0), as the Broncos struggled with ball security, committing four turnovers. After forcing a three-and-out on Mountain View’s first series of the game, Brophy's first turnover came when senior running back Noah Pittenger fumbled a punt, which Mountain View recovered at Brophy’s 46-yard line.

But Brophy senior corner Jordan Briggs bailed his team out by intercepting an underthrown ball two plays later. 

The Broncos drove down the field, and Pittenger plunged in from 1-yard out to put Brophy up 7-0 late in the first quarter. But Pittenger fumbled again, this time in the second quarter, setting up a 2-yard touchdown run by Mountain View senior running back Orion Baker on fourth down.

That score gave the Toros a 14-7 lead. Despite the turnover problems, Brophy head coach Scooter Molander was pleased with his team’s performance.

“The defense played tremendously,” Molander said. “I’m really proud of our defense. They stepped up huge, and we were able to move the ball offensively even though we didn’t put up a lot of points.”

Brophy's defense played well despite losing its leading tackler, senior linebacker Rexx Tessler (three tackles, forced fumble), in the second quarter. 

Molander declined to comment on why Tessler exited the game, but Tessler's replacement, senior linebacker William Gerkensmeyer, picked off Mountain View senior quarterback Wheeler Harris in the third quarter.   

“It’s 65 guys and next man up,” Molander said. “I’m really proud of Gerkensmeyer stepping in there. He was mentally prepared and he’s one of our smartest players, so I’m not surprised he did a heck of a job.”

Gerkensmeyer had four tackles to go along with his interception. 

Two huge kick returns by Brophy senior wideout Nico Nicholson gave the Broncos some momentum in the second quarter. He returned one kickoff for 72 yards to set up a field goal and scored a 99-yard touchdown on his next return to put Brophy up 17-14 before halftime.

Nicholson also had seven catches for 71 yards to lead the Broncos in receiving yards.

“[Nicholson] made some big time plays,” Molander said. “He can’t be tackled one on one. He had a number of third-down catches and he had an awesome ball game.”

Brophy used both senior quarterbacks, Matthew Ryan and Caleb Moore, with Ryan getting the majority of the snaps. Moore just came back from fracturing his thumb during the first game of the season.

Both quarterbacks knew going into the game that they would split some of the snaps.

“We were told that [Moore] would get one or two drives, and we were just trying to surprise the defense a little bit,” Ryan said. “Obviously, anyone would like to have the ball just in their hands, but if it makes sure we get a win then that’s fine.”

With 58 seconds left in the game, Mountain View (3-2) had the ball in its hands last as it drove down the field into Brophy territory. 

After an illegal helmet contact penalty moved Mountain View up 15 yards, Harris was forced to heave a pass on fourth down that was intercepted to end the game.

“I thought we played right with them,” Mountain View coach Mike Fell said. “I don’t know what the stats were, but I’m sure they were pretty even. We were physical and played the third-ranked team in the state down to the last play of the game.”

Molander was impressed with how his team has played during their undefeated start to the season, especially after beating a tough Mountain View squad.

“We have a tough and mentally strong senior core,” Molander said. “We have a good spirit on this team that can carry you despite not playing your best football. I’m proud of these guys and I don’t think anybody had us at 6-0 at this point, but that’s OK. We just go about our business.”