Hamilton makes much-needed stops to knock off Red Mountain in 6A title game for 2nd straight season

The Hamilton Huskies continue to do the unthinkable. 

The Huskies defeated the Red Mountain Mountain Lions 7-0 in the 6A championship to be crowned the first-ever back-to-back AIA state flag football champions.

Putting up points Red Mountain wasn’t easy for Hamilton as they scored their least amount of points with their superstar sophomore quarterback Marlie Phillips at the helm. 

On the Huskies' first drive of the game, however, they were able to get the first and only points of the game.

4th and goal from the 2-yard line, the dynamic duo struck for Hamilton as Phillips was able to connect with senior wide receiver Samaya Taylor-Jenkins for a touchdown.

They have proven to be one of the best duos not just in Arizona but in the entire country. 

“Samya is just my Batman; she and I are just the duo,” Phillips said. “Best in the country, it’s been such a pleasure to just play with her.” 

The Huskies' defense didn’t let up either, as they limited Red Mountain from getting any drives going in the first quarter. 

Red Mountain’s defense, like they have all season, came ready to play in the 6A championship. 

One of their best plays of the game came from their senior defensive back, Audrey Pacheco, who made a heads-up play to snag an interception. 

The Mountain Lions were able to march down the field thanks to their senior quarterback Korey Roberts and senior athlete Cadence McCanless, making plays late in the second quarter. 

Red Mountain then attempted a 25-yard field goal right before halftime, but the kick was no good, and they could not come away with points. 

Hamilton was up seven points, but this was one of the toughest challenges they have faced in a long time. 

Hamilton head coach Matt Stone reflected on the past summer and how they lost a game in a tournament in Canton, Ohio, and realized this team can fight through adversity. 

“This team can take defeat,” Stone said. “This team can take setbacks and come back stronger.” 

To begin the second half, their defense came back even stronger than it did in the first half. 

Early in the third quarter, senior linebacker Asia Denson was able to catch an interception and set her offense up with great field position. 

The Mountain Lions' defense stood strong, though once again, as Pacheco was able to get her second interception of the night and give Red Mountain another chance to put up points.

For a majority of the fourth quarter, both teams struggled to move the ball down the field. 

Hamilton then, though late in the game, was knocking on the door of the end zone to add to their lead.

Penalties killed the drive for the Huskies as they ended up having two touchdowns called back and had to settle for a field goal attempt. 

The field goal attempt ended up being no good for Hamilton, and gave Red Mountain the ball back with two minutes and a chance to tie the game up. 

Hamilton forced a fourth-down situation that would later set up one of the best athletes to ever play in Arizona to make the game-sealing play. 

Making the play was none other than Taylor-Jenkins, who batted the ball down and ended her high school career with another state championship win. 

Taylor-Jenkins, who is one of the best players in the country, proved why she is a winner by making one of the best plays of the game. 

“Our coach said bat the ball down,” Taylor-Jenkins said. “It is a team effort. That was a game we played all four quarters.” 

Hamilton is not only the first ever back-to-back champions, but they have also won 38 games in a row. 

Even though they have done what very few, if any, have done, this was the expectation for Hamilton.

“This was the expectation,” Phillips said. “It’s been a wild ride.”