Chloe Bolen is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Pinnacle High School for AZPreps365.com

 

The Battle of Knox Road was up for grabs on Friday night. Its the place where Mountain Pointe and Corona del Sol meet to see which team can come out on top and defend the road that leads to both schools.

Mountain Pointe took on the challenge and won, 42-37.

Running back Jamarion “Bobo” Otis helped the Pride make a statement. 

Otis scored all three Pride touchdowns in the first half, including a 22-yard TD run to make it 21-21 at the half.

Teammate Michael “Butter” Tollefson played for  second time as a part of the Mountain Pointe team and showcased his speed and ability to run the ball.

Tollefson was able to make multiple double-digit runs, including a 23-yard run that set up a touchdown.

“I’d do anything for the team and if that means I have to run the ball then I’m going to do my best,” Tollefson said.

He added, “Once we got our first touchdown during the second drive it really got us rolling for the rest of the game.”

The first drive for Mountain Pointe didn’t go as planned when multiple flags were thrown and sent it back.

This gave Corona del Sol the chance to take advantage of the penalties and allowing Aztec receiver Domonick Ruiz a chance to score the game's first touchdown.

But by halftime, the teams were tied at 21.

Mountain Pointe utilized both quarterbacks Robert Knorr and  Tollefson. As “Butter” showcased his speed and Knorr completed passes that ultimately helped put the Pride up for the rest of the game.

Knorr connected well with Chase Shumate in the second half of the game. Late in the third quarter, Knorr hit Shumate on a 31-yard pass for a touchdown, making it 35-31. 

“I let up a touchdown in the first quarter so I had to make that up which felt great,” Shumate said. Shumate, however, was able to defend multiple passes during the second half.

Knorr was able to connect again in the fourth quarter with Shumate for a 12-yard touchdown pass, making it 42-31.

Corona del Sol scored a last-second touchdown but it wasn't enough.

“I don’t think we gave them enough credit and we weren’t totally focused as a whole unit,” head coach Eric Lauer said. 

Adding, “As we wind things down and you want to make it to the playoffs and seeding is a big thing too we need to win games.”
 

The Pride will play at home against Salpointe Catholic for their homecoming game next week.