Jodicee Arianna is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Campo Verde High School for AZpreps365.com

The Campo Verde Coyotes lost to the undefeated Mountain Pointe Pride, 14-7, after holding them to 7-7 after three quarters.

Campo Verde fell to 7-3 overall. It had won two consecutive games before Thursday.

Mountain Pointe sophomore quarterback Amaya Moreno scored the game-winning touchdown with 2:56 left in the fourth quarter.

The Coyotes were unable to convert with Pride’s tight defense on its final possession.

Despite the Coyotes holding Mountain Pointe (5-0) with a strong defense throughout the night, quarterback Moreno sealed the deal in the fourth quarter. Her scrambles led to her 17-yard run for a touchdown.

“When we teach her and coach her up during practice, we want her to see the field and let the vision understand what the defense is doing,” said Mountain Pointe head coach Sergio Ramirez on Moreno.

The first quarter was a standstill for both teams, ending 0-0. The Coyotes kept it scoreless with a blocked field goal in the second quarter. Mountain Pointe was the first to get on the board with a 16-yard touchdown from quarterback Moreno to wide receiver Moriah Green at 7:17 in the second quarter.

The Coyotes were able to bounce back shortly after. Wide receiver and safety Ella Mutters got an interception, which led to Coyote wide receiver Myla Robertson scoring for the Coyotes on a 53-yard catch.

“I would say I did pretty good to keep making sure I know where the ball is,” Robertson said.  "But there’s always stuff to work on.”

Running back and cornerback Rhiana Gurnani continues to be a force. She had six carries for 24 yards and four receptions for 20 yards. She carried her team defensively by leading the charge and finishing the game with 10 tackles and two deflected passes.

Captain and quarterback Isabelle Papp finished the game with 227 passing yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver and safety Ella Mutters ended with four catches for 71 yards. The freshman had four tackles and an interception on the defensive side.

Campo Verde played well in defeat. It can thank preparation as being the key to making it close. 

After beating the McClintock Chargers on October 1, the Coyotes had one day of practice to prepare for Mountain Pointe.

“We watched lots of film. We try to get them in the best position we can to make them succeed and work on little keys and techniques all the time,” said Coyotes head coach Brian Coger. 

It was an intense game on both sides and penalties were a factor. Mountain Pride had two unsportsmanlike conducts during the game. Both penalties came in the third quarter. The Coyotes had one personal foul penalty after a tackle in the third quarter.

“It’s just another game, and we take it one day at a time,” Coger said. “The stakes were high for this one. It will sting a little bit, but we do have some time off finally."

The Coyotes get 12 days off before playing Arizona College Prep High School at home. Arizona College Prep High School sits at 3-2 overall.