Mojave capitalizes on last chance, kicks game winner

Eldorado miscalculated and turned the ball over after three knees did not end the game. Mojave got the ball back, but could could not score as time expired. A facemask penalty gave them one more play, and sophomore Andrew Juarez then converted his first high school field goal from 30 yards out, clearing the crossbar by mere inches and giving the host Rattlers a 16-14 victory over Eldorado on Friday.

“Every play matters,” Rattlers coach Abraham Gonzalez said. “We almost gave it away. We shot ourselves in the foot way too many times. But at the last moment, we pulled it out.”

After a scoreless first half, Eldorado opened the scoring with an 8-minute, 76-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter. Quarterback Jalen Malone was 5-for-5 through the air, and ran in a 1-yard touchdown.

Da’vann Underwood single-handedly brought Mojave back. He gained 80 yards on four runs, including a 59-yard touchdown sprint. After Eldorado fumbled on its next possession, Underwood carried twice more including his second touchdown of the game.

As the fourth quarter began to wind down, Underwood botched a direct snap. Eldorado’s Malone found 6-foot-3 senior Deosinique Griffin in the end zone one play later. Brian Urrutia converted the kick to make it 14-13 with 4:07 to play

Mojave was headed for a go-ahead score before Underwood fumbled for the second time in the quarter. The Sundevils took possession with 1:45 left on the clock. Thinking they could run the clock out, they downed the ball three consecutive times and then threw an incomplete pass. The stage was set for Juarez.

“I knew he had it in him,” said quarterback K’Maurian Philogene, who finished the game with 6-of-12 passing for 68 yards. “I think I’ve seen him kick 40 in practice. “

The senior said he’d remember Juarez’ kick for a long time.

“And it will bring a smile to my face,” Philogene said.

Malone finished the game 15 of 24 passing for 169 yards.