Alexander McDonald is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Millennium High School for AZPreps365.com

Millennium won its final game of the regular season against Sunrise Mountain on Thursday, 45-7.

The stands were filled with friends and families on Senior Night. 

“This group, you know they’ve probably been through more than any high school class in this country’s history.” Millennium athletic director Remigio Gordillo said, in reference to the challenges from the pandemic since 2020.  

Millennium (5-5) heading into the game entered the game after being routed by their crosstown rival Desert Edge the previous week, 56-14. Sunrise Mountain (3-7) also came off a big loss in the previous week against Moutaine Pointe, 49-6.

The Tigers started strong from three first-half touchdowns scored by running back Zues Pindernation and wide receiver Billy Bolick's during the first two drives of the game.

The Tigers offense was able to do pretty much whatever they wanted, breaking off large chunks plays at will. On the defensive side of the ball, they held Sunrise to just three first downs, had an interception and a forced fumble. That gave the ball back to the Tigers in good field position.

Pindernation got his second touchdown late in the half. Senior Kyan Fields set up the touchdown two plays before with a spectacular catch as he pinned a 30-yard pass from Berry to the defender's helmet with said defender draped all over him.  

Pindernation scored his third touchdown of the game, a slaloming 35-yard run just three plays into the second half. Sunrise fumbled on the kickoff return gifting Millennium possession of the ball. Soon after the game was stopped for 20 minutes when senior Giovanni Peru suffered neck injury. He collapsed in the middle of the field after a run and was taken from the field in an ambulance.

“Everything was precautionary, he has feeling and is moving,” said coach Lamar Early after the game. 

After play resumed Berry threw another touchdown to Fields, and the Tigers added another touchdown late in the third. On defense, the Tigers had kept the Mustangs quiet all night until they allowed a 70-yard rushing touchdown, the Mustangs' only offensive highlight.

The Tigers forced three fumbles and had a pick during the game.

“It was an amazing performance we executed in all aspects of the game D-Line. Linebacker corners, everyone did their jobs focused and we executed perfectly," said senior linebacker Daniel Delponte. 

On Millenium’s finals drive, the Mustangs had several penalties, including three for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The Tigers will have their first playoff game next Friday. Location, time and opponent are yet to be determined.