Diego Esquivel is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Arizona College Prep for AZPreps365.com

Arizona College Prep faced a relentless team in Mountain Pointe on Friday night, finding themselves clinging to a one-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. Ultimately, the Knights kept their undefeated streak alive with a 27-16 win.

The two 5A teams delivered a close matchup. The Pride swung the momentum to 17–16 after forcing a third-quarter safety that turned what had been a two-point deficit into a nail-biter.

But when it mattered most, Arizona College Prep stiffened its defense and found a rhythm offensively. A fourth-quarter rushing touchdown pushed the margin into double figures, and kicker Reid Martinelli, whose opening fourth-quarter field goal attempt was blocked by linebacker Jaylyn Colter, booted home a late kick to seal the victory. 

“We trust ourselves,” said junior quarterback Gunnar Schmidt, reflecting on the intensity of the game. “It’s like a whole team effort, we trust our defense, our defense trusts us, it’s reciprocated throughout the team.”

Schmidt helped light the rally to the Knights' comeback, completing a third-quarter touchdown pass to Dalton Speaks that gave the Knights their first lead, 17–14. 

Mountain Pointe responded with the safety after the Knights were pressured into their endzone by defensive lineman Teylor Caldwell, leading to a penalty for intentional grounding.

After that, Arizona College Prep controlled the tempo on both sides of the field.

The game didn’t start smoothly for the Knights. The Pride started the game off quickly with back-to-back rushing touchdowns to take a 14–7 lead. The Knights responded with a late first-half field goal to make it 14–10 at halftime.

First-year coach Derek Zellner stated that the team's ability to stay composed was a reflection of their own identity.

“We’ve been playing as a team the entire season, that’s one of the things I preached this week,” Zellner said. “Let's do our things and worry about us and us only, and I'm very proud of these guys.”

Zellner also pointed out the challenges his staff and athletes have faced since he took over last spring.

“They had a coaching change, so they've had a lot of rough seas to encounter,” Zellner said. “We've got the boat moving in the right direction, we're staying afloat, and the waters are starting to smooth out.”

Senior guard and tackle Logan Wendelschafer said the team's mindset never wavered, even as it seemed as though Mountain Pointe was picking up steam.

“Honestly, we just fought as a team, we played together, all sides of the ball, offense, defense, special teams,” Wendelschafer said. “We went against a great Mountain Pointe team, but honestly, we know we're the better team.”

With homecoming week ahead against Skyline High School, Schmidt said the team's focus will be crucial.

“Next week, we got to still prepare, it's our homecoming week, a lot of distractions, but we just got to stay focused through practice and show up on Friday,” Schmidt said

Wendelschafer echoed his teammates' mentality as the Knights look to keep their undefeated streak alive in their home conference game on Friday, Oct. 10.

“I don't want to sound too cocky, but I think we got it,” Wendelschafer said.