Mountain Ridge overcomes double-digit deficit, defeats Liberty in double overtime
By Stephen Andert and Richard Smith, For West Valley Preps
Posted 10/5/19
Visiting heavily favored 6A Desert Valley Region rival Liberty Oct. 4, Mountain Ridge erased a 23-7 deficit and outlasted the Lions in double overtime.
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WEST VALLEY PREPS
Mountain Ridge overcomes double-digit deficit, defeats Liberty in double overtime
Posted
Nothing really went according to plan, but we just kept fighting and fighting. It's just a sign of how much progress these boys have made over the last couple weeks.”
Doug Madoski, Mountain Ridge football coach
By Stephen Andert and Richard Smith, For West Valley Preps
Mountain Ridge football is not done writing its inspirational screenplay.
Visiting heavily favored 6A Desert Valley Region rival Liberty Oct. 4, the Mountain Lions erased a 23-7 deficit. Junior Blake Comstock’s field goal with one second remaining in regulation tied the game at 26.
The teams traded scores in the first overtime, but Mountain Ridge recovered a Liberty fumble to start the second extra period. Senior quarterback Keegan Stancato ran in a 4-yard touchdown to complete the 39-33 double-overtime win and write another improbable chapter in the Mountain Lions' storybook season — now 5-2 after 0-10 last year.
“Nothing really went according to plan, but we just kept fighting and fighting. It's just a sign of how much progress these boys have made over the last couple weeks,” first-year Mountain Ridge coach Doug Madoski said.
The upset was a crusher for a Liberty team entering region play with legitimate hopes of qualifying for the open division as one of the top eight teams in the state. The Lions (4-2, 0-1) entered with four straight wins, including last-minute thrillers over quality Mesa Desert Ridge and Henderson (Nev.) Liberty squads, following an opening three-point loss to undefeated Phoenix Brophy Prep.
There were 19 Liberty penalties during regulation for nearly 300 yards, which was frustrating to players and coaches alike. It figures to remain a topic of discussion n the upcoming week by both teams.
“They played a good game. We fought, and we came up on the short end this time,” Liberty coach Mark Smith said.
When asked about all the penalties, Smith said, “I'm not sure what it is, but it seems to happen sometimes.”
Following a bye, the Lions were on the verge of putting their rivals down the road away early. On the first play from scrimmage senior quarterback Jonah Guevara ran 85 yards for touchdown. The Lions took a 7-0 lead 20 seconds into the game.
Senior running back Joseph Forney capped the Lions next drive with a 9-yard run into the end zone. Liberty took a 14-0 lead with 6:28 left in the first quarter.
Several long passes and Lion penalties brought the Mountain Lions to the 6-yard line, and Liberty nearly made a goal-line stand. Mountain Ridge went for it on fourth and goal from the 1.
Junior Cole Mitchell burrowed in to make it 14-7 with two minutes to go in the first quarter.
Mountain Ridge was backed up against the end zone when Liberty sophomore safety Jax Stam sacked Stancato for a safety, increasing their lead to 16-7.
Senior receiver Jaiden Pina caught a 21-yard strike from Guevara to increase their lead to 23-7 with 2:54 remaining in the half.
Mountain Ridge responded with a crucial march down the field before halftime, reaching the 2-yard line with 19 seconds left. After a couple plays and a penalty, Stancato completed a 7-yard pass to brother Kyler the end zone.
After missing the PAT, the halftime score was 23-13.
"The touchdown we scored right before the half was a huge momentum change. This touchdown shifted our attitude from trying to stay in the game to let’s go win a game. Going in to half we felt like we could take control of the game but we just needed to do it," Stancato stated in a Twitter interview.
Mountain Ridge managed a field goal for the only scoring in the third quarter.
Stancato tied it up in the fourth, faking a quick throw and sprinting to the pylon with a touchdown. Both teams continued to battle not only their opponent but also the increasing penalties on both sides.
On fourth down with two to go, Liberty attempted to get Mountain Ridge to jump offside then called the time out just before the play clock expired. Liberty junior Shane Pitts kicked a field goal to regain a 26-23 lead with 1:36 in the game.
Mountain Ridge quickly marched down to the 20 and with 45 seconds to go before stalling. Comstock made the field goal to tie the game.
Senior Jack Evens caught a 10-yard strike from Stancato to open the overtime. Liberty senior tailback/linebacker Jace Accurso answered immediately with his 10-yard burst.
The fumble in second overtime put the ball in the visitors hands.
“The coaches told us Ridge would stay in the game with penalties and turnovers if we let them,” Liberty senior receiver Gavin Guy said.
By now the resolve of these Mountain Lions is well known. But to complete a comeback against Liberty in this fashion is another level from the previous four wins for Mountain Ridge (5-2, 1-1).
While not direct rivals, the schools are less than five miles apart and most of the players know each other. Many of the players in Friday's game saw time last year, when Liberty finished the season 10-2 and Mountain Ridge went 0-10.
"This win definitely meant a whole lot for the program because not only does this win show that we can compete on the 6A level but we can compete with the better teams in the league," Stancato said.
