Red Mountain Holds Off Late Comeback to Defeat Williams Field 31-28

After leading for the entirety of the game, Red Mountain had to stave off a late comeback attempt from previously undefeated Williams Field to bounce back from a loss to O'Connor last week.

Red Mountain opened the game hot on both sides of the ball, getting an immediate defensive stop.

Shortly after, junior running back Keyan Fagan scored the first touchdown of the night, giving the Mountain Lions a 7-0 lead.

The Mountain Lions didn’t let off, forcing the Williams Field offense into a turnover on downs.

Senior quarterback Caleb Joe connected with senior wide receiver Airreon Windom on multiple completions.

Capping off the drive, junior running back Darius-Grayson Courts broke free for a 28-yard rushing touchdown.

Late in the first quarter, after recovering a fumble from Red Mountain, junior running back Christian Davis scored on a 45-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 14-6.

In the first drive of the second quarter, the Mountain Lions continued to utilize Joe and Windom's connection, leading them down the field.

After another big run by Courts, Fagan scored his second touchdown of the night, extending the lead to 21-6.

“Just finish. Don’t let anyone run you over; just get the job done,” Fagan mentioned following his touchdowns.

Williams Field continued to look for an answer, but Red Mountain’s defense came up with another key stop after the Black Hawks couldn’t convert the fake punt attempt.

When the Mountain Lions took over on offense, junior cornerback Beckett Bonjour caught an interception, bringing the ball right back to the Black Hawks.

Williams Field was able to drive into Red Mountain’s territory, but was unable to capitalize, turning the ball over on downs after an incomplete pass on fourth down.

Red Mountain got the ball back with just over three minutes remaining in the first half but was unable to extend its lead.

Williams Field capitalized, driving down the field in the final minutes before settling for a field goal to cut the deficit to 21-9 heading into halftime.

Williams Field carried its momentum into the second half, forcing a Red Mountain fumble recovered by senior cornerback Elijah Jackson less than a minute into the third quarter.

The Black Hawks quickly moved into the red zone but were held to another field goal.

Junior kicker Braeden Elliott knocked down his second field goal of the night, cutting the Mountain Lions’ lead to 21-12.

Red Mountain looked poised to respond on its next possession.

Courts and Fagan each broke off for long runs before Joe connected with junior wide receiver Jayveon Williams to put the Mountain Lions inside the Williams Field 20-yard line.

However, Red Mountain fumbled for the second time in the half.

As the tides started to turn, Williams Field was taking advantage of the opportunity, driving down to the Red Mountain 2-yard line after Davis broke off for an 80-yard run.

After a few stops, Williams Field junior running back Romeo Jones was able to make his way into the end zone for a 2-yard rushing touchdown.

The touchdown cut the deficit to 21-20 after converting on the 2-point conversion.

Red Mountain responded with one of the biggest plays of the night.

After completing a deep pass to junior wide receiver Kaeden Weaver, Joe connected with Windom once again for a 40-yard touchdown pass.

Red Mountain’s lead was then 28-20.

On the next drive, the Mountain Lions were able to hold the Black Hawks to a punt late in the third quarter.

After just passing the 50-yard line, the Mountain Lions were held to fourth down, leading to senior kicker/punter Chase Pitzer connecting on a 53-yard field goal, a season high.

The field goal gave Red Mountain a 31-20 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Williams Field refused to give up.

The Black Hawks opened the fourth quarter with a head of steam, leading to a strong drive and another long run by Davis that fell just short of the end zone.

However, Davis received the direct snap leading to his second rushing touchdown of the night.

Williams Field also converted the 2-point conversion, cutting the score to 31-28 with more than 10 minutes remaining.

Red Mountain was unable to extend its lead on the following possession and punted, giving Williams Field an opportunity to take control of the game.

The Black Hawks drove into Red Mountain territory, reaching the Mountain Lions’ 20-yard line with about five minutes remaining.

However, Williams Field’s field goal attempt missed wide right.

With the pressure rising, Red Mountain turned to its rushing attack to run time off the clock.

Fagan and sophomore running back Julius Miolla delivered key runs, moving the Mountain Lions into Williams Field territory.

Red Mountain shortly after faced fourth down with just over two minutes and turned the ball over on downs, giving Williams Field one final opportunity.

The Black Hawks quickly moved into Red Mountain territory after sophomore quarterback Jacob Coutts connected with Davis for a huge gain.

With the game on the line, Red Mountain’s defense came through once again. Junior cornerback Mikko Lopez recovered a Williams Field fumble, ending the Black Hawks’ final opportunity.

Red Mountain took over and ran out the remaining clock, securing the 31-28 victory.

“Anytime you win, you feel good, but we have a lot to improve on. It goes back to tackling the little things, turnovers. I’m glad we found a way to win and held the lead there in the second half, but we have a lot to improve on,” head coach Kyle Enders mentioned after the game.

Next up: 3-1 Red Mountain looks to keep it rolling when they take on 2-2 Basha. 3-1 Williams Field looks to get back in the win column when they face 4-0 Hamilton.