Bianca Acosta is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Tolleson Union High School for AZPreps365.com

 

The stands filled with enthusiastic supporters as Tolleson Union High School faced off against Cesar Chavez High School in a regular-season flag football game. Loud cheers and chants echoed throughout the stadium as players prepared to showcase their skills.

The Lady Wolverines were hosted by the Champions and battled it out on the field to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and Hispanic athletes.

Tolleson Head Coach, Johnny Garcia said he felt pride being able to represent his Mexican heritage because it's important to be able to connect with somebody who looks like you from the outside. 

“Personally, I just take pride in anything that I do. In a way, almost embrace your stereotypes but obviously prove that they're right rather than in a negative way,” Garcia said. “I want to see somebody who looks like me in these buildings, these higher places and higher levels. With sports, everybody’s from a different place so it’s understanding who and what people are as far as background goes and realizing that we're all from one planet in a sense, and there's only a border that divides us.”

The first quarter featured a series of dynamic plays with the Cesar Chavez Champions quickly scoring the first touchdown, making the score 6-0 within the first five minutes.

Standout receiver Phoenix Preciado said flag football allows her Mexican-American background to thrive more than it does in other sports she plays.

“I play softball too and it's not that many people of color,” Preciado said. “I see more in flag that there's other races everywhere. It doesn't matter what it is, it's not one-sided, it's everybody and it’s cool to see our own.”  

As the first half progressed, Tolleson was able to score twice within the second quarter on back-to-back drives, resulting in a score of 6-13. The Lady Wolverines maintained their lead with strong defensive plays and strategic offensive moves. 

Throughout the game, penalty flags were frequentlythrown, leading to animated reactions from the stands. Fans expressed their opinions on the calls, creating a lively back-and-forth atmosphere.

Phoenix Preciado scores touchdown for Tolleson followed by a penalty flag on Chavez. (Bianca Acosta photo/AZPreps365)

Upon entering halftime, the score favored the Champions as they made a touchdown with nine seconds left in the second quarter, but the competition remained present as the second half began. Both teams continued to battle it out, with penalties continuing to shape the game’s flow.

As the game unfolded, Cesar Chavez mounted a comeback by scoring another touchdown at minute 11:05 in the third quarter, intercepting the Lady Wolverines and scoring another touchdown shortly after. With two missed extra points by the Champions, the score now stood at 24-13.

The tension in the stands heightened as fans from both sides supported their teams. Tolleson was off to a quick start in the fourth when receiver Preciado scored a touchdown, and the score jumped to 24-19. 

Coach Garcia remained hopeful as he anxiously tapped his playbook against his side while the play clock wound down.

Tolleson executed a series of plays, demonstrating not just skill but also the unity that comes from shared cultural values.

Senior Alyssa Piña said she takes her heritage seriously and carries it with her everywhere.

“It’s a part of who I am as a person and so anywhere I go I always like to represent,” Piña said. “Any Hispanic athlete that I see I always look up to because I feel like a lot of them are frowned upon sometimes simply because of their background.”

Before game days, Piña said she connects with those roots by engaging in a pregame prayer.

“I always like to pray,” she said. “I normally always have this necklace in the front that has the Virgin Mary and the back has San Judas but I can't wear it during football. I carry that deeply with me because I know at the end of the day God has my back.”

Ultimately, Cesar Chavez emerged victorious with a final score of 36-19. 

Despite the Lady Wolverines falling short, the players showcased their skills and inspired pride within their community; the values of Hispanic Heritage continued to shine, Piña said.

“I believe you have to work as a team at the end of the day regardless of who you are and what you are,” Piña said. “You all are playing a sport that you love, so it doesn't really matter where you come from."