By Brittany Bowyer
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PHOENIX — Although the game got off to a late start because of the weather there was no lack of action between the top-ranked Snowflake Lobos and the no. 6 Arcadia Titans in the final clash of the regular season. Despite Snowflake holding the lead for most of the game, Arcadia was able to stay within reach until the fourth quarter. For Coach BJ Pasquel, he’s proud of his team despite the outcome.

“It’s a good group of kids, man,” Coach BJ Pasquel said about his team. “Every year is different, every year is unique. It’s a likeable group. They compete, they play hard and I enjoy coaching them.”

After a two-hour lightning delay, the game finally kicked off around 9:10. Snowflake got the ball first, and following a huge kickoff return, the Lobos had to settle on a field goal from junior McCoy Norton. With 9:37 remaining in the first quarter, Snowflake was leading 3-0.

Arcadia got the ball and was able to answer with a touchdown of its own on a pass from sophomore Carter Lampe to junior Jordan Barnes. The kick from sophomore Nolan Hubbell was good, giving the Titans a 7-3 lead with 4:15 left in the first quarter.

Snowflake got the ball back and wasted little time. Following an monstrous kickoff return for the Lobos, Snowflake was able to cap off the drive with a touchdown from senior Brenner Green. Norton’s kick was good, putting Snowflake back on top 10-7 with 2:26 remaining in the first quarter.

On Snowflake’s following possession, they were once again able to reach the end zone. Getting the ball back in Green’s hands, he took it in for a touchdown, making defenders miss tackles on the way. Norton’s kick was again good, making it 17-7 with 10:01 remaining in the first half.

With 3:11 remaining before halftime, Arcadia was able to cut Snowflake’s lead. Senior Joseph Hala punched the ball in for a touchdown before the extra point from Hubbell was good, making it 17-14 Snowflake.

On the following kickoff, Snowflake special teams was able to once again shine. Green fielded the kick and took the ball all the way for a touchdown to further extend the lead, setting up Norton for a good extra point attempt. With 2:56 remaining before the half, it was 24-14.

The Lobos would get the ball back one more time in the half, and they’d strike on a pass from senior Jacob LaDuke to senior Colter Willis. Norton’s extra point attempt was no good, making the score 30-14 going into the half.

Arcadia got the ball coming out of the half and were able to capitalize on the possession. Lampe was able to connect with sophomore Luke Powell for six, cutting away at the Snowflake lead. The extra point attempt from Hubbell was good, making it 30-21 with 8:27 remaining in the third quarter.

“We kept clawing back,” Coach Pasquel said. “I love the effort. This group plays hard. It’s a good effort group.”

Later on in the third quarter as time was expiring, Snowflake had possession and decided to go for it on fourth down. Not only did the Lobos convert, but they were able to score a touchdown on another pass from LaDuke to Willis. This time, the kick from Norton was blocked, making it 36-21 going into the fourth quarter.

During Arcadia’s following possession, Lampe was picked off by sophomore Maverick Greer, only for Arcadia to answer with an interception from senior Mason Rowland.

Unfortunately for the Titans, though, they were unable to come up with an answer to Snowflake’s defense.

Snowflake got the ball back once again and was able to score on a pass from LaDuke to senior Nash Reidhead. Norton’s kick was good, making it 43-21 with 6:41 remaining in the game.

On Arcadia’s following possession, they’d get the ball deep in their own territory. After failing to pick up a first down, the Titans went to punt, but a fumble on the snap would see the ball roll into the endzone, where it would be recovered by Jack Butler for a touchdown. Norton’s extra point attempt was again good, making it 50-21 with 5:04 remaining.

The Titans got the ball back but were unable to score, punting it away with less than two minutes remaining. From there, Snowflake was able to kneel down the ball to close out the game and pick up yet another victory.

“That’s a really good football team,” Coach Pasquel said. “We made mistakes. Special teams killed us and that’s my fault as a head coach... Credit to them. They’re a solid football team”

Now, both teams will await the bracket release show on Saturday morning. Snowflake, who was ranked no. 1 going into the game, should hold on to the top spot. Meanwhile for Arcadia, they’ll wait to see if they stayed in the top eight and have a bye in the first week.

“We’re gonna figure out tomorrow morning who we play and talk about that team,” Coach Pasquel said. “This one hurts a little bit, but we’re gonna get back to work on Monday kno9wing we’ve got another game and then we’ll go from there.

The brackets are set to be released Saturday morning, Oct. 31 on AzPreps365’s YouTube channel.

Brittany Bowyer is a Report for America corps member, covering sports for Independent Newsmedia in Arizona. Report for America places talented journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and regions.