Braeden Mueller
ASU Student Journalist

Last-Second Field Goal Propels Tolleson Past Millenium

October 13, 2017 by Braeden Mueller , Arizona State University


A last-second field goal propelled Tolleson past Millenium 42-39 in a 6A regional game on Friday.

The last two minutes of the game featured a pair of Tolleson stops at its 20-yard line, and it fit the script that sophmore kicker Jose Deharo would lift the Wolverines to victory. 

After a timeout by Millenium (3-6,2-2) to try and ice Deharo, he would saunter out on the field. 

Never any doubt when the ball was snapped that it would sail through the uprights. After the kick, the Wolverines swarmed him in the celebration.

“I was nervous, but I felt like I could do it. My teammates' faith kept me calm.” Deharo said.

Leading up to the final kick, the Wolverines appeared to seal the game with a fourth-and-goal stop on their 1-yard line with three minutes to go, but failing to pick up the first down, the Tigers would get the ball back.

Under three minutes to go, the Tigers would methodically drive down the field with their dominant running duo of Zareq Brown and Isaac Oliver, who produced numerous first downs. After stalling out in the Wolverines, they elected to kick a field goal to tie the game at 39-all.

Driving down the field after some great runs by Kenny Rosado, it would be the offensive standout Curtis Rondeau, who’d convert a huge first down to put the Wolverines in field goal range. 

Running an out route, he would tap his toes on the sideline narrowly avoiding the defender to secure the catch.

Rondeau finished with four catches and 146 yards. 

“We came out confident, and executed,” Rondeau said.

The next play would be a run that would help shave off the clock before Deharo would decide the game.

“It’s a 48-minute game, and a big play was made with three seconds to go,” Coach Jason Wilke said.

Tolleson (4-4,2-1) faces Copper Canyon in its next regional game, kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m.