This was a game for the ages. 

Glendale led the entire game until Apache Junction staged 12-point rally late in the fourth quarter to beat the Cardinals, 53-52, in Glendale. 

Glendale (8-1) came into the game undefeated knowing that facing Apache Junction (6-3) could be a trap game for them. The Cardinals haven’t had an undefeated season since 1980.

SCORES: Arizona high school football scores Week 10

Apache Junction is looking to accomplish a feat that has never been done by its program, winning two consecutive regional championships. Last season, it was the first time they won the region in 35 years, and first time in the playoffs in seven years. 

Key Plays

Apache Junction had a response for just about every play during the game. 

The game started off as a shootout between both teams. Glendale scored just three plays into their first possession of the game, and Apache Junction scored within their first drive after seven downs.

Glendale’s running game, with senior running backs Andre Neal and Kevin Daniels,  controlled the game’s pace. But Apache Junction running back William Lohman and quarterback Gibson Limongello led the counterattack to keep them in the game as they trailed through the final minute of the fourth quarter.

The Prospectors were able to capitalize on Glendale missing three extra points and stopping a two-point conversion. That made a difference in the end.

“That’s a huge factor,” Daniels said about extra points. “Extra points is a game changer. If we would’ve made three of the extra points and not missed, they wouldn’t have been that close. They would’ve been down three more points.”

Also, Apache scored a two-point conversion after a 35-yard touchdown with one minute left in the third quarter to cut the score 46-41.

The Clutch and Clutz Plays

Going into the fourth quarter, the lead was 52-41. It came down to the final minute when the Prospectors put together an 88-yard drive on five plays that led to a touchdown, which cut the lead down to five points with five minutes left in the game. 

When Glendale received the ball with 4:30 left, they fumbled on Apache Junction’s 39-yard line and the Cardinals recovered the ball for another chance to score.

After three downs on Apache Junction’s next possession, senior quarterback Limongello (16-for-25 on 229 yards and three touchdowns) ran a hurry up offense and converted on 4th and 11 with a 16-yard pass that took them to Glendale’s 24-yard line. Lohman (131 yards on 23 carries and four touchdowns) ran the ball to the five-yard line, and then scored to take the lead with 53 second left in the game. 

Glendale was stunned but knew they still had one last chance with the player of the game, senior running back Kevin Daniels.

He produced seven touchdowns on 19 carries and 302 yards, his best game of the season. On their last possession, Daniels ran the ball on 4th and 5 to Glendale’s own 45 yard line. But the following play, Kevin stepped in for senior quarterback T.J. Owens (20-for-25 on passes, 225 yards, one touchdown) and threw an interception. 

The biggest question by Glendale fans was about last minute switch at quarterback.

“Our quarterback hurt his hand,” Daniels said about Glendale’s errant final possession. “I had to be quarterback and I was looking for a curl route, and none of them were open so I just tried to run and get as many yards as I could.”

Up next

Glendale goes on the road to face Dysart (2-7) and Apache Junction faces Combs (4-5) in a rivalry game. 

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