Jeffrey Foote is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover ALA-Queen Creek for AZPreps365.com

QUEEN CREEK, Ariz. – ALA-Queen Creek’s region-play debut came down to the last drive, but a late interception sealed a 35-28 loss to Corona del Sol Friday night at the Patriots’ home stadium.

In a back-and-forth game that saw neither side lead by more than two touchdowns, the Patriots (1-5, 0-1 region) erased a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 28 with roughly three minutes left in the game. 

Corona quickly answered with their own touchdown, then picked off Patriots quarterback Cody Lalama on the following drive to secure the victory. 

It was a heartbreaking finish to a near-comeback in a game that featured five ALA-Queen Creek turnovers. 

“We just can't turn the ball over like we did," head coach of the Patriots Rich Edwards said. “But we are encouraged that we didn't give up, down 14 points in the fourth quarter. We stayed in there, we hung in there, we made some plays and they made some plays.”

Lalama completed 19 of 39 passes for 198 yards, with three interceptions and a fumble, as the Patriots’ turnover issues proved costly against an Aztecs team that capitalized on every mistake. 

Wide receiver Stetson Agne hauled in the game’s biggest play, a 55-yard touchdown catch, where he juked out the cornerback and sprinted up the right sideline to put ALA-Queen Creek in the lead 14-7 late in the second quarter.

Icey McGowan added eight catches for 50 yards and a touchdown of his own, while running back Nash Hall carried the ball 17 times for 84 yards before leaving the game with an injury early in the fourth quarter. Patriots backup running back Gage Naef came in to score a 6-yard touchdown with 3:07 left in the game to tie up the game at 28.

Corona del Sol (5-1, 1-0 region) showcased their ability to win the 6A Southeast division, converting repeatedly on third downs and answering every ALA-Queen Creek score. The Aztecs are hoping to improve upon a poor performance last season where they held an 0-4 region record.

Corona del Sol scored 21 unanswered points in the second and third quarters to take a 28-14 lead, highlighted by a 50-yard catch in triple coverage, as well as a scrambling touchdown circus throw from Aztec quarterback Luke Farrell. 

However, the Patriots battled back, scoring 14 unanswered points in the fourth to force a tie before Corona’s quick touchdown and late interception sealed the game. 

“It definitely sucked losing,” Agne said. “But as we're getting further into the season, we are showing who really wants to play. I think our team is developing, we're getting better and better, but at the end of the day, it's always up to us.”

The Patriots, who just faced three top-five teams in Arizona during non-region play, entered divisional play this season 1-4, hoping to replicate last season’s 0-5 to 5-5 turnaround. 

Assistant athletic director of the team James Verenski said the tough opening schedule was meant to prepare the team for moments like these. 

“You guys are battle tested, you’re ready,” said Verenski of the message to the team. “You’ve gone against the best in Utah and in Arizona.”

ALA-Queen Creek gets a bye next week before heading to Casteel on Oct. 16, with the team still searching for its first on-field win of the season.