Anthony Perkins II is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover McClintock High School for AZPreps365.com
 

McClintock’s final regular-season home game ended in a tough loss as Sunnyslope used a strong second-half performance to defeat the Chargers 32-17 on Friday night.

The Chargers came into the matchup needing a win on senior night to end the regular season on a high note in front of a home crowd. But after keeping it close through the first half, McClintock struggled to contain Sunnyslope's rushing game or move the ball effectively in the second half.

The game began with an unexpected obstacle before either team took the field. A mild thunderstorm with lightning delayed the start for about 30 minutes. The rain and thunder persisted throughout the game, but play continued, and the storm cleared out at halftime.

Despite the delay and changing conditions, McClintock opened the scoring with a field goal to take a 3-0 lead in the first quarter. The Chargers added a passing touchdown to junior Oneil McLean in the second quarter, helping them stay within reach of Sunnyslope. At halftime, the visitors held a narrow 12-10 advantage.

With that, McClintock had an opportunity to battle back, but the Vikings started gaining momentum on the ground. The Chargers struggled to stop quarterback senior Royce Vanacore and contain the rushing attack, and Sunnyslope stretched its advantage with a rushing touchdown in the third quarter to make it 19-10, then kept running all the way through the fourth.

Sunnyslope running back Kelton Rogers was a key part of the second-half attack, finding the end zone twice. The visitors also added a passing touchdown to Rogers, putting additional pressure on a McClintock defense that had struggled to contain the offense.

The Chargers had a defensive bright spot in junior Milo Abeita, who recorded two interceptions during the game. However, those takeaways were not enough to overcome the offensive struggles and Sunnyslope’s ability to control the line of scrimmage.

McClintock couldn't find a groove on the offensive side of the ball either. The Chargers repeatedly went three-and-out, giving them few opportunities to catch up. Sunnyslope's defense also kept the pressure on.
For Sunnyslope coach Tony Cotton, the difference after halftime came down to execution and physicality.

“We told them at halftime, we come out and take care of the football and dominate the line of scrimmage,” Cotton said. “We'll be able to walk away with this game.”
Cotton said his team followed that approach in the second half, pointing to its ability to stop the run defensively and control the line of scrimmage on offense.

The win extended Sunnyslope's winning streak to five games and gives the Vikings momentum going into the postseason. Cotton said the attitude and emotion his team played with was exactly what he wanted to carry into the playoffs.

For McClintock, the loss brings the regular season to a close after a 7-3 season and a strong position in its region. The Chargers, who had won four straight before Friday, will now turn their attention toward the postseason, where addressing their struggles against the run and finding more consistency on offense will be important.

The matchup also marked a significant night for McClintock’s seniors, who were recognized during the program’s final regular-season home game. Seniors like Aidan Whitaker, Xavier Campbell, Quincy Greene and many others made their impact on the field. Although the result was not what the Chargers hoped for, senior night provided an opportunity to recognize the players who helped lead the team through the season.

With the regular season complete, McClintock’s focus shifts from Friday’s result to the challenges ahead. The Chargers will look to regroup, make adjustments and carry the lessons from the loss into the postseason.