Dominic Borja is an NAU School of Communication student assigned to cover Flagstaff High School football for AZPreps365.com

Flagstaff pushed Paradise Valley to the final five minutes of the game before losing 27-22 in their most competitive game of the season on Sept. 18, entering 4A Grand Canyon region play 0-4 overall.

Improving to 2-2 overall, the Trojans’ victory marks their second game this season scoring 27 points and finishing with a five-point difference. Paradise Valley also broke a two-game losing streak after coming up short 32-27 to Tolleson Union on Sept. 4 and getting shut out by Raymond S. Kellis 39-0 the following Friday.

Flagstaff started its final possession on its 4-yard line before senior running back Eli McHood, junior receiver Matthew Moreno and junior quarterback Broden Custer led the Eagles into Trojan territory. Custer ended the drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Evan Washington to cut the deficit to a one-score difference with five minutes left in the game.

After catching his third touchdown of the night, Washington, also a kicker, attempted his second onside kick of the game, but Paradise Valley recovered and kept the ball, preventing Flagstaff from coming back.

“It’s always hard to recover when you make simple mistakes,” first-year Eagles head coach Andres Delgadillo said.

Trojans head coach Jacob Brown, also new to his role, said responding to adversity was important to winning the game, especially after going scoreless last week.

“Our message all week was just bouncing back,” Brown said. “We made a lot of mistakes (against Kellis), so this week was all about execution.”

Paradise Valley answered the Eagles’ efforts multiple times in the third quarter. After Flagstaff started the second half with Washington’s successful onside kick, both teams traded punts before Custer launched a deep pass to Washington, who caught it overhead and sprinted downfield for a 95-yard touchdown.

The Eagles’ 15-14 lead lasted for only a minute. Soon after Trojan freshman running back Enrique De La Torre Hogan returned a kick to Flagstaff territory, junior quarterback Kai Andersen connected with junior receiver Hank Coulter, who sped past the Eagles’ secondary for a 44-yard touchdown to put the Trojans up 21-15.

“They’re resilient,” Brown said of his team. “We’re all about asking what’s our next mentality and what's our next play? No matter what, we can’t get too high or too low.”

The following drive lasted seven minutes, with Flagstaff using two timeouts while leaning on Custer and sophomore running back Marcus King for rushing yards. Moreno, sophomore running back Gio Serna and senior receiver AJ Valdez all contributed to the Eagles’ passing game, with Valdez hauling in a 30-yard reception in the Trojans’ red zone.

Paradise Valley responded with a 98-yard interception return by senior safety Ethan Nancarrow, who dashed by his team’s sideline to propel the Trojans to a 27-15 lead.

“Week by week, it doesn't matter what we're doing or what the plan is,” Brown said. “He's going to be all for it, and he's going to make plays.”

Despite losing, Flagstaff’s performance reflected the different approach Delgadillo wants to establish during his first season leading the Eagles. The new head coach emphasized building a program beyond a single season.

“We've kind of changed the dynamic as far as discipline goes,” Delgadillo said, going as far as starting team practices early in the morning.

Star sophomore Serna, also a cornerback, provided an early spark for the Eagles’ defense, intercepting Andersen early in the first quarter and giving Flagstaff possession near its own end zone. Custer capitalized on the Paradise Valley turnover by sending Washington a 60-yard touchdown pass, giving the Eagles their first lead of the season.

Flagstaff’s defensive effort repeatedly gave itself opportunities against the Trojans, including after trailing 14-8 at halftime and later taking the 15-14 lead.

Delgadillo said Flagstaff’s young players, like Washington and Serna, can help continue that development as the season progresses.

Players vie for the ball in the end zone during at the Findlay Toyota field in the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome, Sept. 18. (Sierra Schafer photo/AZPreps365)

“He (Washington) loves the game, and it’s always nice to see that kind of tenacity in a kid,” Delgadillo said. “I hope he continues to grow because he’s got a bright future ahead of him. Teams will have to watch out for him for the next three years.”

The Eagles now turn their attention to 4A Grand Canyon region competitions, where Delgadillo expects more challenges for Flagstaff.

“4A is one of the tougher regions in the state for sure,” Delgadillo said, noting the 4A Grand Canyon region has several of its conference's top-ranked teams. “All we can do is fight.”

Flagstaff opens regional play against Lee Williams (#15 on 4A Conference Rankings), which is 3-1 after getting blown out 41-14 on the road against fellow 4A Grand Canyon rival Prescott (#3 on 4A Conference Rankings), on Sept. 25.

Paradise Valley has one game left before regional play. The Trojans face Cactus Shadows, which earned its first win against Camelback 40-13, in a 5A Conference game this Friday. Brown said his team needs to improve their conditioning and technique, especially with a smaller roster.

“We have a tough region and a lot to clean up,” Brown said. “With less guys, we’ve got to be one of the best conditioned teams when we hit the field, no matter who we're playing against. We’re trying to improve on making the right reads on defense and following the right blockers on offense every single week.”

Flagstaff’s 0-4 start leaves the Eagles looking toward the remainder of the season and beyond.

“They’ve definitely had a different energy this year,” Delgadillo said. “I just hope to harness that and continue to grow it. I want to start building a program, not just a season."