Ashling Filippi is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Northwest Christian for AZpreps365.com

The Thunderbird Titans used a big first quarter to help defeat Northern Christian, 34-10, on Friday night

This was the Crusader’s second loss of the season bringing them to a 7-2 record. The Titans moved to 8-1 overall. 

The game started slow but picked up in the middle of the first quarter. Despite missing the extra point from the game’s first touchdown, the Titans started the scoring for the day,  going up 6-0 halfway through the first quarter. The touchdown was the first from the Titans Elijah Little, on an 11-yard run. 

By the end of the first quarter, the Titans had held the Crusaders off while building their lead. The quarter ended with three touchdowns from the Titans, putting them ahead early, 20-0.

By the end of the first quarter, the Titans Little had an impressive three rushing touchdowns. 

Early in the second quarter, the Titans Andrew Cohill threw an impressive 88-yard touchdown pass, making it 27-0.

After the Titans touchdown early in the second quarter, Crusaders quarterback Laki Wallwork had a 6-yard rushing touchdown to put his team on the board at 27-7, after the Crusaders Cameron Main’s successful extra point. 

Shortly after, Crusaders Garrett Lentz blocked a Titans' punt giving the Crusaders’ offense great field position  on the Titan’s 30-yard line.

The Crusaders added a field goal to make it 27-10 at the half.

What didn’t help the Crusaders in the half were two turnovers.

The Crusaders Devon Helmer said he felt like “there’s obviously a lot we need to get better on. Offensively and defensively, we just gotta be better.”

There was no scoring in the third quarter by either team.

Early in the fourth, the Titan’s Little had a 1-yard rushing touchdown extending their lead to 34-10.

Later in the fourth, the Titans Daryl Little II intercepted Wallwork to gain possession on Northwest Christian's 10-yard line.

The game ended with a Titans win with a score of 34-10.

The Crusaders head coach David Inness said that in that quiet third quarter, there was “a 10-minute span where we didn’t do what we were supposed to.”

Inness says he and his team look forward to traveling to Yuma Catholic for their last game next week.