GILA RIDGE
(there were) just a few big ones that we got beat on.”
The third lasted three plays, all incompletions, and the ensuing punt set Estrella Foothills’ next drive — which turned out to be the winning one — up at Gila Ridge’s 49-yard line with 2:59 remaining.
The Wolves proceeded to cover those 49 yards in eight plays, with Skrimager — who finished the game at 16 carries for 97 yards and three touchdowns — eventually sneaking it in on a 1st-and-goal from the 2-yard line.
Just minutes earlier, Estrella Foothills had been in a similar position — set up with a 2nd-and-goal from the 3-yard line. But after two running plays failed to result in a touchdown, the Wolves went for it on 4th-and-goal from the 2 and Gila Ridge junior linebacker D’Angelo Jackson stepped in front of and intercepted a Skrimager pass.
It was the second interception of the game for Jackson, who also had one early in the third quarter that set up a 2-yard rushing score by Duarte.
“D’Angelo was just outstanding,” Semler said. “That kid’s got heart.”
Jackson’s second interception was the fifth takeaway of the game for the Hawks, who also got an interception from sophomore Tyler Faber in the second quarter and fumble recoveries in the second and fourth quarters.
“Our defense, I can’t say enough about those kids,” Semler said.
The offense just couldn’t cash in on enough of those turnovers.
For the game, Gila Ridge converted just 4 of 15 thirddowns. The Hawks did convert 4 of 7 fourth-downs, but three of those conversions came on their first drive of the night — a 14play, 51-yard match that Cota capped with a 13-yard touchdown pass to junior Dom Jones on a 4th-andgoal.
Cota finished the game 12 of 26 for 118 yards and two touchdowns, the second being a 16-yarder to senior Ty DeHart with 5:36 to go in the first half.
“This one’s on me,” Semler said. “The boys worked hard. The defense had three goal line stops that were huge; that shows our heart. That’s all I preach to these kids is work hard, make the offense snap it again and things would break our way.”
Except on this night, things ultimately didn’t break the Hawks’ way.