Salpointe Catholic captures 4A state title in first year as a program

The Salpointe Catholic Lancers defeated the Eastmark Firebirds 17-0 to claim the 4A title. 

From the start, Salpointe held momentum.

On their opening drive, they moved the ball methodically. They ultimately had to settle for a field goal, but it was no good. 

The Lancers' defense then made a huge play in the first quarter as their junior linebacker Jhianae DesRosier snagged an interception and gave her offense the ball back with great field position. 

Once again, Salpointe was able to get the ball near the goal line, but this time, they capitalized on the opportunity. 

On 4th and goal from the 8-yard line, the Lancers' freshman quarterback, Isla Collins, scampered into the end zone for a touchdown to give Salpointe the first points of the game. 

Towards the end of the first half, Eastmark put together its best drive of the game thus far.

It was spoiled once again, though, by Salpointe's defense. 

Keeping Eastmark out of the end zone before halftime, the Lancers' sophomore defensive back Aliyah Adger snagged an interception. 

At halftime, Salpointe led 7-0 over Eastmark. 

Around halfway through the third quarter, Eastmark's defense came through.

The Firebirds junior athlete, Kinsley McCarty, was able to get an interception to give her offense the ball back. 

Lighting then struck, literally. 

With 4:07 left in the third quarter, the game was delayed due to lightning in the area. 

After an over 2:30-hour weather delay, the game resumed. 

The head coach for Salpointe, Barrie Pedersen, said his team was built for this weather. 

“We played in the rain on Wednesday up in Prescott, and we played lights out in the rain,” Pedersen said. “I think that helped our confidence. This is our weather.” 

Salpointe came out after the weather delay and played even better than before. 

Their defense kept coming up huge and not allowing Eastmark to get any momentum going.

Then, in the middle of the fourth quarter, Collins was once again able to find the end zone. She scored her second rushing touchdown, this time for 13 yards. 

After scoring the touchdown, Salpointe's defense was able to force a turnover on downs and give their offense an opportunity to add to their lead. 

The Lancers did just that as their junior kicker Andie Tkalcevic drilled a 21-yard field goal and gave Salpointe a 17-point lead with less than two minutes remaining in the game. 

If the game wasn’t already sealed for Salpointe at that point, their sophomore defensive back, Kiara Mendoza, snagged an interception to ice the game. 

The Lancers completed their season 16-1, and the 4A conference now runs through them. 

Even though they were a first-year program, that didn’t stop Salpointe from having the right to hoist the 4A championship trophy. 

“It lets people know Salpointe is not just another name in the books,” Collins said. “Just because it's our first year doesn't mean anything; we’re here to play.”