Jon Chang is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Thunderbird High School for AZPreps365.com.

PHOENIX – The Thunderbird girls flag football team bounced back from last week's 27-0 loss to Flagstaff with a massive win on Thursday night as it stifled the Westview offense.

The Titans routed the Knights 31-2 in a game where defense was key to controlling momentum.

As a team, the Titans tallied 12 sacks and two tackles for loss, holding the Knights to only a handful of first downs all night.

“We always try to push ourselves, and we all try to work together,” sophomore defensive lineman Alexa Trejo said. “We always have each other’s back.”

Trejo put pressure on the Knights immediately, racking up three sacks on the first drive and ending the game with four sacks and two TFLs. 

The Titans’ strong defensive game plan meant only giving up 12 completions for 87 yards while holding the Knights to under 50 rushing yards. 

“We know they’re a run-heavy, short pass team,” assistant coach Couper Schwartz said. “We had to make sure that our safeties dropped in, knowing they’d be running the short passes. We relied on our rushers, and it worked.”

The heavy rush led to multiple fumbled snaps, forced passes to covered receivers and left no time for the Knights to process the defensive coverage.

On special teams, the Titans sparked their scoring with help from senior dual-sport athlete Reagan Konetzni and sophomore Madisyn Fosu.

Konetzni caught the first punt from Westview to set up a reverse handoff to Fosu, who would take the ball 47 yards for a TD.

“For special teams, we rely on our speed and agility,” Schwartz said. “That results in touchdowns.”

Konetzni set up the Titans in perfect field position to strike the last score of the game off of a 25-yard punt return with two minutes left to go in the third quarter. 

“I’ve been working on running a lot, improving my endurance,” Konetzni said. “I’ve been playing club soccer as I’m playing flag football, so I have to work with two sports.”

The Titans special teams units were firing on all cylinders. Senior Grace Hornburg finished the Titans' second drive with a field goal from the 12-yard line, and sophomore Aubree Furbacher flipped the field on a punt, pinning the Knights on their own 21-yard line.

Junior Falynn Placencia, who stepped up at QB in the absence of sophomore Kenli Flores, connected with Konetzni on a 53-yard touchdown, bringing Konetzni to four receptions with 77 yards on the night. 

“She (Placencia) did great stepping into the role,” Schwartz said. “I’m grateful that she was able to step up into that position.”

Placencia operated the offense largely through Konetzni and senior athlete Lanaya Robinson, and ended her night with 14 completions for 181 yards and three touchdowns.

Robinson created a role for herself as the heartbeat of the offense, with three receptions for 65 yards and two receiving touchdowns, complemented by one rush for 26 yards.

Both of Robinson’s scores followed turnovers by the Westview offense, the first forced thanks to an interception by Fosu, and the second following Konetzni’s 25-yard return.

Sophomore Jahdya’Kween Little ended the game with two interceptions of her own, the second icing the game for the Titans with one minute remaining on the game clock.

Thunderbird’s ability to capitalize on turnovers sealed the game for the Titans, even with Westview forcing three interceptions.

Westview forced an interception on Thunderbird’s first offensive drive, only to punt the ball away into the ready hands of Konetzni.

The Knights' defense also picked off Placencia with 11 seconds left in the first half, and although they didn’t score, momentum shifted ever so slightly in their favor.

Westview forced a tackle for loss on the first play out of halftime, and a fumbled reverse pitch left the Titans backed up on their own goal line.

The Knights forced a safety, negating any chances of the Titans shutting out the Knights.
Thunderbird (3-3) now looks to carry its momentum into region play at Shadow Mountain (4-3, 1-0 4A Skyline) on Oct. 13.

At the same time, Westview (2-4) will look to defend its house against Combs (2-3, 0-1 4A East Sky).