Adam Kunin is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Veritas Prep Academy for AZPreps365.com

PHOENIX– Homecoming weekend. It symbolized unity for Veritas Prep Academy Friday night as the Falcons stood tall and mighty behind hundreds of supporters. 

In the Falcons’ annual homecoming game, the small 2A school rode a boisterous home crowd to a 35-13 victory over the Shadow Mountain High School Matadors. 

Before the game even began, hordes of fans filed into the parking lot to tailgate outside of the stadium ahead of Friday night’s showdown.

“Veritas is a unique and very close community,” athletic director Chase Beebe said. “It’s like a family. Team dinners are hosted by different families every week and it really is just a gathering of love.” 

The Veritas Prep players took notice of the sizable showing by the fans and matched the energy in the stands on the gridiron. 

Senior running back Tico Lentz came bursting out the gate for the Falcons and set the tone on the ground early to ignite the crowd. 

“I love having fun when I play football, so hearing the crowd gave me the energy to go and run,” Lentz said. 

Lentz did more than just run. He scampered into the endzone four times in the first half alone.

Additionally, he nailed every extra point to score all 28 of his team’s first-half points and helped Veritas Prep go into halftime up 28-0 over the Matadors. 

Lentz did not play in the second half but finished with 97 rushing yards and four touchdowns. 

The Falcons managed to keep their fans loud with explosive deep passes. Junior wide receiver Baylor Arnold highlighted the team’s downfield passing efforts by hauling in four passes of 20 or more yards.

When Shadow Mountain seemed to reclaim some momentum after a pick-six out of the half, Veritas Prep quarterback Rocco Guido turned to Arnold, who reeled in an 11-yard touchdown pass to cap off the junior’s stellar night.

Arnold racked up 127 yards on six receptions to lead all pass catchers for Veritas Prep. 

“Me and Rocco go way back,” Arnold said. “We were in line all night. I can always trust him to give me a good ball, and he trusts me to run the right route.” 

The victory and showing from the fans exemplified the growth of the Veritas Prep program over the past few seasons.

“Tonight was a huge win for the community and these boys,” Beebe said. “My objective as a leader is to be intentional. This showcase for homecoming and all of the small details were for them. It was a great step in the right direction.”

Although it might be a step in the right direction, the team still hopes to make some wholesale improvements to its facilities to take the program to the next level.

Head coach Mike Sanfratello and Beebe remain committed to working toward bringing these changes and providing their players with a better experience in the years to come. 

“This is a great community that is very supportive,” Sanfratello said. “I just want more for them at this experience. We need stands, lights and to create a setting that matches the turnout.”

Veritas Prep (4-1) will look to build on its homecoming win as the team heads to Scottsdale Preparatory Academy (4-1) at 7 p.m. Friday.