Ethan Kinney is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Veritas Prep High School for AZPreps365.com.

PHOENIX - Under the lights and in front of a packed crowd, the 6-0 Falcons of Veritas Prep dominated the 4-3 Crimson Knights of Trivium Prep in a score of 41-0 in what was another win in overpowering fashion, sending another message to 2A that they’re a powerhouse.

The Falcons, led by a suffocating defense, scored right away in what would be a foreshadowing for the rest of the game. In minutes, the Falcons forced two turnovers, one of which was a pick-6, and ultimately set the tone for the rest of the game.

“Our defense has scored four weeks in a row,” head coach Mike Sanfratello said. “It is the strength of our team, when we play like that, we can go up against anybody.”

Veritas had a very clear and concise game plan for this one, their goal was to play physical football right away, and to put Trivium on their heels and out of their comfort zone, Sanfratello said.

“Trivium Prep is a really well-coached football team,” Sanfratello said. “We knew we had to come out extremely fast and physical, and establish ourselves in the game right away. We knew if we did that, it would make them one-dimensional, and we could get to them.”

Trivium is a very run-first offense, but today, their gameplan was completely neutralized. The Veritas defense was in the backfield seemingly every play, making key tackles and forcing 6 turnovers in the game, headlined by star defensive lineman, Will Barrett. 

“We always focus on stopping the run,” Barrett said. “They couldn’t run on us; they didn’t even stand a chance.”

Lots of film study before this game helped him deliver an incredible performance in front of a packed crowd on the biggest game of the year to date, Barrett said. 

“Every team is very predictable when you break it down,” Barrett said. “They were trying to go to No. 3 (Benjamin Wolfley) all game, and we knew their o-line was ducking their heads, so I swam them a few times. Being able to watch it on film and see it happen out there is awesome.”

Having the homecoming crowd there to cheer on the Falcons only helped the team increase the energy and deliver an incredible performance, Barrett said. 

“Every time we made a big play, it was nice to hear the crowd react to it,” Barrett said. “We got the momentum early and never looked back.”

Senior running back Anthony Sanfratello agreed that the fans brought out the best in the players and that the huge crowd helped get them going. 

“When we hear them cheer, it gives us the ability to go make plays — to be fast and physical and play for the people we love,” Anthony Sanfratello said. 

Sanfratello said in practice throughout the week, the team emphasized playing physical football and containing the Crimson Knights' running game. 

“We’re learning throughout the season that we’re a physical team,” Anthony Sanfratello said. “It doesn’t matter who we play, whether they’re 0-7 or 7-0, we’re going to be the same dogs every week.”

With championship hopes on the horizon and as the playoffs loom closer, Anthony Sanfratello has a message for the playoffs coming up. 

“We’re here and we’re real,” Sanfratello said. “I’m serious, I think we’re maybe the best team in 2A. If not, we’ll give every school a run for their money.”