ACP cruises past Desert Edge to improve to 4-2

ACP got off to a hot start on their first drive of the game as their senior quarterback Mariela Navarrete connected with sophomore wide receiver Nora Whittington for a 41-yard gain.

Desert Edge’s defense made a statement, though, as they forced a turnover on downs to prevent an ACP score. 

ACP’s offense didn’t have to wait too long until they got the ball back, however.

They once again drove down the field, this time settling for a field goal. 

ACP senior kicker Courtney Kec hit the 23-yard field goal to give the Knights a lead they would never let go of. 

At the beginning of the second quarter, the Knights' defense was able to give the offense another opportunity. 

ACP junior athlete Katelyn Dilworth came down with an impressive redzone interception. 

Dilworth and the rest of the Knights' defense made it a key to get the ball back as soon as possible. 

“I think it was really good, especially our lockdown corners, had some interceptions,” Dilworth said in regards to how the defense played against Desert Edge. “Just turning the ball over as quickly as we can.” 

The next drive for the Knights was one that was over five minutes long and included moving the chains four times. 

Just like she did on defense, Dilworth came down with a contested catch on offense and set her team up at the one-yard line.

The very next play, Navarrete found Whittington for a 1-yard touchdown. 

In response to being down 10, Desert Edge made sure to keep it close right before halftime.

They marched down the field, and the drive was capped off by senior quarterback Andrea Garcia finding senior wide receiver Alexa Salinas in the corner of the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown. 

In the second half, it seemed ACP found a good rhythm on offense. 

On their first drive of the third quarter, they once again used multiple receivers to make their way down the field.

Finding the end zone for the second time was Whittington, as Navarrete once again found her. This time it was for a 14-yard touchdown. 

ACP head coach Tammy Holmberg was impressed with how the offense performed even without their starting running back. 

“We’ve been struggling with losing our running back, that’s kinda taken some time,” Holmberg said. “They’ve come back from it and are doing a phenomenal job.”

Right before the third quarter ended, ACP was able to add to its lead.

After a great field position after their defense forced a punt, Navarrete connected with Whittington for a third time. It was a 10-yard touchdown reception by Whittington to give her the hat-trick.

Navarrete was proud of how the offense responded after putting up zero points in their last game against Chaparral. 

“I was happy that we got the offense going. We struggled last game, we didn’t put up any points on the board,” Navarrete. “We worked on our chemistry, and tonight we showed that we could put points on the board.” 

The offense for ACP has struggled in some games this year, but they showcased how well they can perform when everything is clicking. 

Just like they did in the second quarter, Desert Edge put up a fight in the fourth quarter. 

They forced an interception to prevent the Knights from making the game too far out of reach.

The drive for the offense then turned into their best one as they got down the field and fast.

Desert Edge then cut into ACP’s lead after Garcia kept it herself and ran in for the 1-yard touchdown. 

The comeback was cut short, though, as ACP put the nail in the coffin on the next drive. 

After multiple penalties that set them back, Navarrete connected with Dilworth on an 18-yard touchdown to seal the victory for the Knights. 

ACP now moves to 4-2 on the season, and the win over Desert Edge is just what they needed to get momentum going into the last half of their regular season. 

“The Casa Grande and Chaparral loss we took to heart, we’ve come back both times to show we’re better than that loss,” Navarrete said. “Our coach (Holmberg) says to take it and let it make you angry and take it into the next game.”

Next up: 4-2 ACP will take on 0-5 Maricopa. 4-2 Desert Edge will look to get a bounce-back win against 3-2-1 Verrado.