Falcons stay perfect with thrilling victory
by Jason Stone

CAVE CREEK – It was the kind of win that may pay off in the playoffs.

Cactus Shadows’ thrilling 20‑17 win over Notre Dame last week at Scottsdale Community College was not typical of this year’s Falcons, who have generally blown out opponents. Instead, Cactus Shadows won the kind of nail‑biter that primes a championship team for the postseason.

“It was a big win for us, no doubt about it,” coach Chad DeGrenier said. “The kids stuck with it.”

With star wide receiver Kyle Watkins slowed by two leg injuries–which will keep him out of action for the next two to four weeks–Notre Dame forced Philip Aholt to throw an uncharacteristic four interceptions to make the game close.

The Saints tallied 17 points from three Aholt interceptions in the first quarter and the Falcons didn’t win it until Kyle Royer connected on a 24‑yard field goal with 48 seconds left in the game. Until Royer’s kick, both teams were scoreless in the second half.

“We were hoping and praying,” DeGrenier joked about the winning kick.

Cactus Shadows remained perfect at 10‑0, retained their No. 1 ranking in 4A‑Division II power points, and stayed on line for a Wells Fargo 2 Region championship.

With Watkins out with quadricep and ankle injuries, senior running back Eric Gorraiz picked up the slack with 196 rushing yards.

Aholt, who despite the interceptions added to his state career record touchdown total, put the Falcons up 7‑3 with a 13‑yard touchdown pass to Gorraiz.

Notre Dame then scored twice in 30 seconds at the end of the quarter. Sean Renfree hit Joe Mlachak for a 39‑yard touchdown pass with 2:20 left, then after another interception, Renfree connected with Mike Greco on a 19‑yard scoring strike to give Notre Dame a 17‑7 lead.

Aholt, who broke the state record for TD throws (79) at Bradshaw Mountain last week, got the Falcons back on the board with 4:19 left in the half on a 1‑yard run. Royer’s 25‑yard field goal with 16 seconds left in the half knotted up the game at the break.

The Falcons racked up 453 yards in total yards, compared to 330 for Notre Dame.

Aholt completed 23‑of‑34 passes for 236 yards. Eleven of the pass completions went to Paul Skelton, who had his biggest day as a Falcon.

Cactus Shadows will next host Sunnyslope on “Senior Night” in the season finale to determine whether the Falcons will share the region title or win it outright.

Reach the reporter at jason@thedesertadvocate.com.