Mountain Pointe coach Eric Lauer admitted he was hesitant to start his new quarterback Michael Tollefson Friday night.
He likened a first start against ALA Queen Creek to an “initiation.”

Tollefson started anyways, and coach Lauer was correct about the ALA-Queen Creek experience: It's not for everyone.

It was not kind to the California transfer and Arizona State commit, as the Patriots steamrolled their way to a 17-0 victory over the Pride in a 6A non-region contest in Queen Creek. 
ALA Queen Creek turned in a punishing defensive performance, as Mountain Pointe’s offense was suffocated all night, netting 42 total yards for the entire game. When Tollefson wasn't getting sacked he was running for his life. 

Patriot coach Rich Edwards said the defensive game plan was simple:

“Coach Varenski asked the kids tonight ‘what’s our goal tonight?’ And the answer was to create chaos, and I think that’s what we did.”
ALA Queen Creek (6-0) sacked Tollefsen six times and Robert Knorr, the regular starter since last year, once. 
Officially, Mountain Pointe (4-2) completed only one pass the entire game, which came during Knorr’s only appearance on the same series he was sacked. 
 

 

How it happened

ALA QC simply dominated the line of scrimmage while its defense used its quickness and physicality to make life miserable for Mountain Pointe's offense, specifically Tollefson. The four star rated senior showed flashes of his speed and arm strength during Mountain Pointe's first drive. After a defensive stand near the goal line, Tollefson took over at the four yard line and picked up three first downs, advancing close to mid-field. He then threw a deep, high pass downfield that turned into a jump ball, with receiver Chase Shumate pulling it down between two Patriot defenders inside the 10-yard line of ALA.

But an illegal procedure penalty wiped out the play.

It was the closest Tollefson would get to completing a pass the entire game. Mountain Pointe ended up punting, and Tollefson spent the remainder of the game under intense pressure while taking harsh punishemt from ALA QC's defense. The Patriots used a variety of strategies to keep pressure on Tollefson, but it was speed that allowed the defense to play so aggressive. 

"When they pulled guards we were in the backfield," Edwards explained.  "We used a lot of blitzing, a lot of twisting, a lot of stunts and we just created a lot of havoc. To do that against a team like Mountain Pointe is impressive, so I'm really proud of how our defense performed."

Officially, Tollefson finished the game 0-11 with one interception.

After ALA's Tosh Peterson made good on a 34-yard field goal early in the second quarter, linebacker Ryder Agne stepped in front of a hurried Tollefson pass in Mountain Pointe territory. A few plays later, Brandon Brown found space on the right sideline and raced to the endzone for a 21-yard score, giving the Patriots a 10-0 lead.

 

 

Most Valuable Players

Brandon Brown was able to find holes thanks to the Patriots offensive line, but the senior also chewed up a lot of yardage with hard physical running into the heart of the Pride defense. Ryder Agne's interception, 12 tackles and constant quarterback harrassment played a signifigant role in the game. Kingston McCabe caught nine passes for 90 yards.

Mountain Pointe's defense deserves credit for its redzone hustle and aggression. ALA QC drove inside the Pride's 12-yard line or closer on three different drives in which it came away with no points. Two of those drives reached the four yard line before Mountain Pointe clamped down. Also, the game was obviously one that Michael Tollefson would like to soon forget, but considering the punishment he took for four quarters, the future Sun Devil showed extraordinary toughness.

Agne explained the constant pressure the Patriots were able to put on Mountain Pointe was no accident.

"We heard about the new quarterback but we weren't really worried. We just had a perfect game plan, and we found a play that worked, and executed that play and kept doing our thing," said Agne, who also had an interception return for a touchdown against the Pride last year. 

"We're clearly not the biggest, strongest or fastest, but shout out to all the coaches. We have one of the best coaching staffs in the state."

Up Next

Both teams are off next week before commencing respective region action. ALA Queen Creek will travel to Red Mountain October for an East Valley showdown of unbeatens. Mountain Pointe visits Corona del Sol in Central region play.