Desert Vista players salute their fans as fight song plays after 17-14 win over Brophy. (AzPreps365 photo)

 

Desert Vista victories over Brophy Prep in football have been hard to come by. Friday night's 17-14 triumph at Phoenix College was no different as the Thunder stretched their winning streak to three games and posted their first win over Brophy since 2010.

Desert Vista (3-1) used a defensive stand in the red zone in the final 90 seconds to turn back Brophy, which fell to 1-4 in another tough loss. Other than a thumping to Pinnacle at the Sollenberger Classic to open the year, the Broncos other losses have been by 9 points, 8 and 3.

"All the games Brophy has played they've been in," Desert Vista coach Dan Hinds said. "Kids sometimes don't realize that and just look at the record. Tonight was a grind for us.... We had a good stand near the end, and needed it."

The game offensively was essentially a passing duel between Desert Vista quarterback Derek Kline and Brophy quarterback Noah Gonzales. Kline completed 20-of-29 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns -- scoring strikes to tight end James Stagg and Jake White; Gonzales connected on 19-of-33 for 282 yards and two scores. Kline's favorite targets were the Whites -- Keishaud and Jake. Keishaud caught five passes for 109 yards, including a 49-yard slant that enabled the Thunder to run out the clock over the final minute. Jake White had six receptions for 98 yards. Noah Gonzales connected with Donovan Arthur five times for 122 yards, including a first-quarter TD good for 62 yards that gave Brophy its only lead at 7-3.

Desert Vista had the contest under control after three quarters with a 17-7 lead, extended in the latter stages of the quarter by a touchdown strike between quarterback Derek Kline and wide out Jake White from 22 yards out. The Thunder defense limited Brophy to 14 yards of offense in the third period and was on the verge of forcing a punt to begin the final quarter.

A pass interference penalty kept the possession alive and eventually Brophy's second big--play TD of the game pulled the Broncos within 17-14. Senior quarterback Noah Gonzales flipped a short pass to running back John Anthony Gonzales (no relation) and Gonzalez slipped some tackles along the sideline on his way to a 44-yard score. 

Desert Vista turned the ball over on downs at the Brophy 36 with 4:16 to play, affording Brophy one more chance to tie or take the lead. A 29-yard completion from Noah Gonzales to Xavier Juniel moved the ball into Desert Vista territory. A couple more penalties on the Thunder advance the ball to a first-and-goal at the 4. The key play came next as linebacker Armando Delgado knifed through the line to sack Noah Gonzales for a 7-yard loss. 

Brophy kicker Jackson Garcia attempted a 33-yard field goal for the tie, but the kick with a low trajectory hit the cross bar and bounced back with 1:31 to play. Garcia had a 50-yard field goal attempt fall just short in the final seconds of the first half.

"The play by Armando Delgado was huge," Hinds said. "He's a kid who has switched positions on defense. He's done a good job.: