Desiree Camacho is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Mesquite High School for AZPreps365.com

Mesquite beat Williams Field 10-3 on Tuesday night in a double overtime thriller, now riding a five game winning streak.

With just one game left in the regular season, the Wildcats have improved to a 9-3 record and maintained their perfect record on the road.

The team came into the game focused on executing what they’ve done all year, making passes, and keeping the ball moving. However, with a stagnant offense, Mesquite relied on its defense to keep them in the game.

“We executed, we just couldn’t put the [ball] in the end zone,” assistant coach Robert Thomas said.

The game was scoreless at the end of regulation, leading into overtime, where both teams had four downs to score a touchdown or field goal from the 10-yard line.

The game was once again tied 3-3 after both teams had a successful field goal attempt. However, Mesquite was first to score in the second overtime with a touchdown that put it up by seven points. Williams Field failed to respond, having its touchdown attempts blocked by Mesquite’s Mariah Willis and Ilyana Flores.

The team was able to stay in the game by remaining calm and optimistic even as things weren’t going their way in regulation. Thomas credited quarterback Jordyn Flores for maintaining her composure even when she was struggling.

“She never gave up,” he said. “She kept her head up, kept pushing.”

Flores said that staying calm and focused was her game plan going into this matchup, which she and the team were able to achieve.

“There were times I could have gone to my head and I didn’t,” Flores said. “We all pushed all the way down to the end of the game.”

Mesquite head coach Chad Montgomery gave credit to even those who didn’t play for being supportive on the sidelines.

“It was a 24-person performance tonight,” he said. “I’m proud of everybody.”

A game like this helps prepare the No. 5 Wildcats as they head into playoffs next week. Mesquite will have its final regular season game on Thursday against Campo Verde before the first round of playoffs begins Tuesday, October 24.