Brooklyn Koressel is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover an AIA High School for AZPreps365.com.

BUCKEYE, Ariz.-- The Kellis Cougars lost to the Canyon View Jaguars after a second half comeback, 58-22, Friday night at the Jaguars’ field.

After a promising 22-13 score favoring the Cougars at halftime, the Jaguars were able to put up 36 points on Kellis by the final buzzer. What was looking like an upset by the Cougars turned out to be another loss for the team, leaving them 3-4 on  the season

With the win, Canyon View improved on its 5-1 record entering the game. It is the second consecutive loss by Kellis to the Jaguars after last year’s 49-0 defeat.

“The word of the week was discipline,” Cordova said. “We were disciplined at practice and stayed on top of everything. Every single day.”

Right after entering the field, Kellis running back Demetrius Scheller scored  the only touchdown of the first quarter. 

After both teams getting multiple flags, having back and forth possession, and the Cougars’ cornerback Tyson Pierre intercepting an attempted touchdown by the Jaguars, Kellis finished the first quarter with possession which they used to their advantage right away in the second.

Scheller earned the team’s second touchdown of the night shortly after the second quarter began, which was complemented by a  two-point conversion from Michael Porter Jr. 

Regie Borges got the Jaguars their first touchdown after carrying the ball from the 42-yard line.

A false start penalty pushed the Jaguars back 5 yards before their kick and the ball was tipped by Kellis’ Jaiden Robins, making the attempt  no good.

When Canyon View started putting up points against Kellis, it  kept their spirits up by reiterating that the game wasn’t over. Safety Aziz Shaheed-Ali shared that the team’s mindset didn’t falter.

“There was no effect on our usual energy,” Shaheed-Ali said. “When we were on the bus, we had a lot of energy all the way through the second quarter.”

Porter and Cashton Robinson brought the ball from their own 17-yard line to the Jaguars’ 24-yard line. Despite gaining that yardage, quarterback Brodee Lermon’s ball was intercepted by Canyon View’s two-way player Kyle Tayazime. 

Although Canyon View gained 30 yards in one play, multiple incomplete passes led them to punt  the ball to the 25-yard line.

Kellis got the ball to their own 40 and Robinson ran down field getting the Cougars’ third and final touchdown of the night. Lermon’s pass to Timsina was good for a 2-point conversion, but Canyon View was able to score another touchdown and an extra point before the half. 

Head coach Chris Miranda recognized his team’s successes of the night noting that, even though they lost, he still saw the players execute the team’s plan.

“We had some good runs from Rodrigo (Beltran) and Cash (Cashton Robinson), making a big score down the way,” Miranda said. “(Michael) Porter (Jr.) making a play down field. Brodee (Lermon) made good decisions and Demetrius (Scheller) scored that first drive. Some of those first half big plays executed our game plan and it was nice to see.”

Canyon View’s kicker Austin Honsa started the third quarter by kicking into the endzone for a touchback and Kellis got possession of the ball at their own 20-yard line.

Following an incomplete pass and penalty for delaying the game, Kellis kicked at the 31-yard line. The Jaguars’ Charge Young picked up the ball and was tackled by defensive tackle Juan Rodriguez.

Jaguar quarterback Jake Spickler attempted a pass to wide receiver Braylon Anderson in the end zone, but the ball was tipped by strong safety Eloy Melchor.

When possession was turned over, Lermon threw four incomplete passes after Porter Jr. gained 13 yards. The Jaguars’ regained possession, gaining  21 yards in  several plays. 

Canyon View finished the third quarter by scoring four more touchdowns from Jubie Pitre, Brandon Arroyo, Young and Warren Jackson and four extra points, ending with a 41-22 lead.

Kellis kept up their defense against Canyon View and got tackles and yardage in the final quarter, but the offense wasn’t able to get the team any more points. 

The Jaguars’ kicked a field goal and scored two more touchdowns. The Cougars were able to prevent a third touchdown and recovered the ball with 34 seconds left in the game, with Lermon choosing to kneel for the remaining time.

“We saw our true potential in the first half,” Cordova said. “We’re definitely something to look out for.”

The Cougars improved from their loss to Canyon View last year and their season is looking more promising as well. Kellis will be back at home next Friday to take on Millenium.

Kellis' Michael Porter Jr. catching the ball midair with Canyon View's Kash Freeman close by. Brooklyn Koressel photo/ AZPreps365