By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

SAN TAN VALLEY — When ALA-Foothills West’s Kingston Conn scooped up a fumbled punt snap late in the first half of the Guardians’ second-round 4A playoff game Nov. 14 at Combs, the senior was headed to more than the end zone.

He was helping his team turn the tide in a tough playoff matchup.

The Guardians (8-4) dominated much of the final three quarters at #5 Combs, winning going away, shutting out the host Coyotes (8-3) in the second half and holding the hosts to 110 total yards.

“That play turned the course of the game,” Guardians first-year coach Bryan Rauzan said. “We had a little spark from getting a stop there. But that scoop-and-score was the spark we needed, really putting us over the top.”

Conn’s 20-yard fumble return touchdown came with 24 seconds left in the first half, after the Coyotes had gone three-and-out. A powering run off right tackle by another one of the Guardians’ 19 seniors, Hunter Cotten, gave ALA the 2-point conversion that tied the game, 14-14, going into halftime.

ALA-West Foothills' dominating win pulled them into the 4A quarterfinals, where the #12 seed travels to play at #4 seed Bullhead City Mohave the weekend of Nov. 21.

Mohave eliminated ALA’s West Valley and 4A Skyline Region rival, Northwest Christian, 42-34 in another second-round game.

The Guardians, who reached the title game in 2024, their last year in 3A, scored the final 34 points of the game against #5 seed Combs.

The Coyotes surged to a 14-0 lead in the first half, aided by two more special-teams plays: a big opening kickoff return that led to a touchdown and a blocked ALA field-goal attempt returned about 65 yards early in the second quarter by the Coyotes.

The special-teams plays were a main factor partly because both teams’ defenses were effective, especially early on. The Guardians and Coyotes combined for only seven first downs in the first half.

Workhorse ALA running back Kenyon Rosenthal broke loose around left end about midway through the second quarter for a 43-yard score that gave the Guardians their first points.

The teams played to a stalemate for much of the third quarter, though the Guardians kept the game largely in Coyote territory. Rosenthal weaved through traffic for a 68-yard run late in the quarter, leading to freshman quarterback Carlos Serrano diving in from 1 yard out on 3rd-and-goal for the Guardians’ first lead at 21-14.

The fourth quarter belonged to the visitors. Senior Iziic Morales’ second interception of the game set up a six-play, 52-yard drive, capped by Rosenthal shooting through the middle for a 15-yard score and a 28-14 lead.

ALA’s final touchdown was scored by another senior, Titan Ashton. He rumbled in after the Coyotes, who had already switched quarterbacks, turned the ball over on downs, not punting despite being backed up on their own 2-yard line.

A fake punt on another Combs drive resulted in the punter being pushed out of bounds at the Coyotes’ 17-yard line.

“Our D-line really came to life tonight,” Rauzan said. “An athletic QB that we had to contain, and our guys did a great job getting to him and not letting him get to the perimeter.”

The defense limited Combs to 23 yards rushing and only 110 yards of total offense. ALA probably benefited, at least to a small degree, from the first-quarter departure of senior Coyote running back Branson Moak, due to an apparent ankle injury.

On offense, Serrano struggled at times, finishing 4-of-11 passing for 77 yards with two interceptions. Rosenthal, unofficially, carried the ball 32 times, accounting for 226 of the Guardians’ 242 rushing yards.

“Kenyon’s ‘the guy,’” Rauzan said.“And we really challenged our O-line this week to move the line of scrimmage in the way they’re capable of.”

Friday, Nov. 14

4A second round at San Tan Valley

ALA-WEST FOOTHILLS 34, COMBS 14

ALA 0 14 7 13—34

Combs 14 0 0 0—14

Rushes-Yds: A 43-242; C 26-23. Passing: A 4-11-2—77; C 8-24-2—87. Total Off: A 299; C 110. Pen.-Yds.: A 7-45; C 11-90. Punts-Avg.: A 3-90; C 6-35.33. Fumbles-Lost: A 1-0; C 1-1. 1st Downs: A 13; C 4. Rec: A 8-4; C 8-3.

Jason W. Brooks can be reached at jbrooks@iniusa.org. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as those meet our  Civility Guidelines.

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.