Greenway holds on late to beat Eagles at NAU in 35-33 thriller
August 25, 2023 by Brian M. Bergner Jr., AZPreps365
FLAGSTAFF — Quarterback Tyler McNally threw four touchdown passes, Carlos Toscano ran for a score and Greenway escaped the Walkup Skydome with a 35-33 win Friday afternoon.
After McNally threw a 22-yard strike to Devari Wade to give the Demons (1-0, 0-0 4A Skyline) a 35-27 lead with 3:26 to go, Flagstaff failed to score on the ensuing drive after Nano Birdno appeared to drop a pass in the endzone that could have tied it.
Flagstaff (0-1, 0-0 4A Grand Canyon) forced a three-and-out on Greenway’s next possession, and with 38 seconds left, a bad snap during a punt went all the way into the endzone as Cullen Callandar recovered it for the Eagles.
The touchdown put Flagstaff that much closer, 35-33, with 32 seconds left, but a failed two-point conversion sealed the deal for the Demons.
McNally completed 13 of 20 passes for 205 yards and four touchdowns. Toscano had 26 carries for 131 yards and a score, while Christian Shetler caught six passes for 105 yards and three touchdowns.
The Demons had 13 penalties for 135 total yards.
Flagstaff quarterback Chase Brown completed 14 of 29 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a score.
Jadon Wetzel was a beast on the ground for the Eagles, racking up 145 yards on 25 carries and a touchdown.
The Eagles took a 21-14 lead with 5:41 to play on a 32-yard pass from Brown to Birdno, but McNally led two straight scoring drives, the second a 10-yard pass to Shetler with 6:11 to play in the third quarter to give Greenway a 28-21 lead.
Birdno caught four passes for 70 yards and a score.
UP NEXT
Flagstaff is scheduled to host Somerset Academy (NV) on Friday, Sept. 1. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
Greenway gets a bye in Week 3 and is set to host Deer Valley on Friday, Sept. 7. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on Twitter @AzPreps365Brian. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.