PHOENIX— The Phoenix Christian Cougars had a lot of pressure on them to perform. If they defeated rival Bourgade Catholic in the last game of the season, they would finish undefeated for the first time in nine years. 

That’s exactly what happened.

A Bourgade Catholic fumble in the opening drive swayed the momentum toward the Cougars immediately. The Cougars quickly capitalized off of that when Corey Leary broke out for a 30-yard rushing touchdown. Just like that, the Cougars were up 7-0.

Up early in the first quarter, the momentum was on their side.

That was until star quarterback Hunter Cole was stripped of the ball and a turnover was forced inside their own zone.

After letting up a quick touchdown scored by Bourgade receiver Isaiah Smith, the game was tied at 7-7, and a fire was lit underneath Phoenix Christian.

On the next offensive play Malik Taylor broke out a beautiful 25-yard run to put the Cougars back in a familiar place, the red zone.

Following Taylor’s long run, power back Dontae Gilbert punched in the touchdown to regain the lead at 14-7.

“I want to thank the O-line,” Gilbert said. “First down, or the touchdown, that’s the motto.”

The momentum was back in Phoenix Christian’s favor, and the team was not going to let it slip as fast as it previously did. 

After a holding call against the Golden Eagles, Corey Leary made a play on the opposite side of the ball with a perfectly timed interception to regain possession for the Cougars.

From there on it was an onslaught of offense from Cole and the rest of the offensive unit.

A beautiful 20-yard run by Leary allowed Cole to throw a sneaky play action pass to Gilbert to give Gilbert his second touchdown of the game, and the Cougars a 21-7 lead.

“I fumbled last game and I had to run [in practice],” Gilbert said. “But not again.”

But the Cougars’ dominance didn’t stop there. 

Phoenix Christian’s special teams unit burst through the protection on Bourgade’s punt attempt following a failed series and blocked it to gain possession inside the Golden Eagles’ own 30-yard line.

The incredible field position allowed Cole to throw a 17-yard touchdown pass to none other than Corey Leary, who had already put up two touchdowns and an interception on the other side of the ball, in just one quarter.

Phoenix Christian started the second quarter on defense, and on the first play, forced another turnover. Defensive back Frankie Orosz intercepted the ball in his own red zone and returned it to the Cougars 46-yard line.

From then on, Leary did the rest of the work with a 54-yard rushing touchdown on the first offensive play of the second quarter to put the team up 35-7 with about 11 minutes left in the half.

After a series of shutdown defense, Phoenix Christian regained possession at its own 48-yard line. 

Malik Taylor set the stage for the Cougars offense with a 51-yard run, while Cole punched in the 1-yard rushing touchdown.

With just about six an a half minutes left in the first half, it was Phoenix Christian 42 and Bourgade 7.

Following a failed fourth-down conversion by the Golden Eagles, Phoenix Christian’s offense setup shop at the 50-yard line.

After a 21-yard pass off Cole’s back foot and then a 6-yard pass both to tight end Marcel Pierre, the Cougars could once again smell the red zone. 

Those pair of plays setup Cole for a tuck and run to Bourgade’s 9-yard line. The Cougars were in familiar territory. 

This trio of plays setup the mainstay of Phoenix Christian’s rushing attack, Malik Taylor for a nine yard rushing touchdown. 

After a missed PAT, the Cougars were up 48-7 at the end of the first half.

To open up the second half, Dontae Gilbert fielded a nice return to start off at the 50 yard line.

Following a failed opening drive on offense, the Cougars’ defensive unit was ready to play. 

On Bourgade’s first down, Cougars’ defensive back Ramon Castro recovered a forced fumble and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown to put the Cougars up 55-7.

After a turnover on downs, Cole and his offense were ready to go to work. They started off with a 15-yard run by Taylor to put them at The Golden Eagles’ 21-yard line. 

Following a nice run by Rodgers to put them into the red zone, Taylor finished off the series with a 9-yard dash into the end zone to give him two on the day, and put his team up 62-7.

With their second team in on defense, the Cougars gave up a four yard rushing touchdown to put the score at 62-14. 

After an impromptu onside kick attempt by Bourgade Catholic, the second offensive unit was put onto the field.

Following a turnover on downs, Bourgade Catholic’s urgency on offense allowed them to score on a 50-yard touchdown pass to put the final score at 62-21.

But with the clock winding down, it wasn't nearly enough for the victory.

“We were confident coming into the game,” Leary said. “We knew what we we’re doing, and we knew what their weaknesses were and we had to execute.” 

This game gave the Phoenix Christian Cougars their first undefeated season in almost a decade. 

“We came into this game planning on a win,” Taylor said. “We wanted it more, and we came and played.”

They’re next opponent has yet to be named but speedster Corey Leary is certain they’ll be ready for anyone.

“We don’t know who we’re playing yet,” Leary said. “But we’re going to come in and do what we do, hopefully get the W.”

Phoenix Christian will start their playoffs against an opponent that is to be determined next Saturday.