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Luke Willingham, Football, Goodyear Trivium Prep

After an 0-4 start to the season, Trivium

Prep used a 5-0 finish to sneak into the 2A playoffs, which start Friday, as the No. 15 seed. To get there, they needed a healthy dose of heroism from senior Luke Willingham.

Over the final five games, Willingham — a dual-threat quarterback — ran for 895 yards and 14 touchdowns. In last Friday’s regular-season finale against Wellton Antelope, he put up his best performance yet, rushing for 221 and four touchdowns while catching a 26yard receiving touchdown on a double pass.

“I am happy to play for a coach (Michael Spencer) that gives me the green light to make plays using my skill set as well as putting us in a position to succeed,” Willingham said. “I have never played for a team with a greater will to win than this brotherhood we have at Trivium Prep.”

On Friday, the Crimson Knights will face a stiff test in their bid to keep their season alive as they face 9-1 Phoenix Arizona Lutheran, the division’s No. 2 seed. If they can pull off the upset, they’ll likely have Willingham to thank.