Griffin Greenberg
ASU Student Journalist

Exciting start between Sierra Linda and ALA-Ironwood preceded lightning

September 9, 2022 by Griffin Greenberg, Arizona State University


Brothers Stephon and Seth Daily watch kickoff in unpleasant weather as ALA (Ironwood) kicks off to Sierra Linda. (Photo: Griffin Greenberg)

Griffin Greenberg is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Sierra Linda High School for AZPreps365.com

PHOENIX — Before the Sierra Linda Bulldogs vs. American Leadership Academy (Ironwood) Warriors football game was called off due to lightning a lot happened in the first six minutes.

On the kickoff, Sierra Linda wide receiver Jackson Baird was able to bring the ball across the 50-yard line, putting the Bulldogs in great field position. However, the first drive was a bit rocky for Sierra Linda.

A delay-of-game penalty and a couple of short gains set the Bulldogs up for a fourth-and-2 at the Warriors' 40-yard line. This would then be followed by a first down catch for Colorado State commit Stephon Daily.

Shortly after, Sierra Linda' 13-year-old starting quarterback, Camar Lee, would then injure his ankle on a completion after being tackled. Lee would only miss two plays, one in which backup quarterback Anthony Garcia would run for 15 yards on fourth-and-2.

“I was just ready to come back right away and [wanted to] make sure my team could win, [and could] get a touchdown,” Lee said.

That touchdown, which Lee envisioned, ended up happening on his second play back as Kevin Tortolero, who totaled 33 yards on the short evening, carried the ball across the goal line.

Sierra Linda’s Angel Nunez was then able to recover an onside kick for the Bulldogs, but that possession didn’t last long for them. Sierra Linda wouldn’t convert on fourth down and ALA (Ironwood) would take over at the 49.

Running has been a strength in the first two games for the Warriors, and running back Ayden Williams lined up in the backfield on their first snap. ALA (Ironwood) didn’t have a very long first possession as Williams exploded down the field scoring a 49-yard touchdown to put his team down 7-6.

“Our alignment came out wrong, we were double A gap and we were supposed to be in the B gap. He just hit the hole and took advantage of it," said defensive end Lenoxx Hicks, who recorded three sacks last game.

But right after the big touchdown, new Sierra Linda head coach Tyrone Preyer was running down the sideline waving down the referees. He and a Sierra Linda staff member pointed to the ongoing lightning where referees then proceeded to tell the teams to head back into their locker rooms. The PA announcer then told fans to head back to their vehicles.

“[This game] we were definitely going to turn things up, change things up. Things were coming but unfortunately, the lightning took it out,” Daily said.

Daily also talked about being a leader and the motivation factor that he brings to help his team end the night on a high note after a disappointing, long night.

The game was postponed at around 8:35 p.m., an occurrence that wasn’t unfamiliar in Arizona football tonight. Lightning delays postponed and pushed back games all around the Valley on Friday night.

With the lightning, questions were also brought into the scenario with scheduling, and part of that included transportation questions regarding ALA (Ironwood) who made the far drive over. After a few hours, an announcement was made on when the game would continue.

While lightning may have been the winner in this matchup tonight, these two teams are now set to continue their game on Saturday morning.