Jack Kemler is an ASU Cronkite Student assigned to cover North High School for AZPreps365.com

PHOENIX — Defense looks to be the theme as North High School girls flag football stayed undefeated Monday, Oct. 20, rolling past Alhambra High School in another dominant win.

The Mustangs recorded shutouts in five of six games this season, including a 42-0 victory over the Alhambra Lions.

Head coach Michael Butler said his defense has learned a lot from last year.

“I always stress that no matter who we play, someone’s always watching film on us and looking at our weaknesses,” Butler said.

The defense gave up zero points this season, with the only points overall given up by the offense being a pick-six against Carl Hayden Community. In the Oct. 20 game, North’s defense forced Alhambra to punt seven times and recorded one interception.

“I would say our biggest strengths are our safety play and rushing,” Butler said. “We have Avyanna Buchanan – her rushing alone is a lot for anyone to handle.”

Buchanan leads the Mustangs in tackles, sacks and QB hurries.

Junior Jizzelle Escoffrey started at quarterback for the Mustangs and contributed to every single touchdown except one.

Escoffrey said she was proud of the way she distributed the ball.

“I did well spreading the ball out, making sure multiple people got touchdowns,” Escoffrey said. “It’s good to build more chemistry with my receivers.”

Escoffrey threw four passing touchdowns, each to a different receiver. Late in the third quarter, she targeted junior Xxylina “X” Flores three straight times, missing on the first two before connecting for a touchdown, showing her determination to make sure everyone got a chance to score.

“I loved (Escoffrey’s) performance,” Butler said. “She shows love to everyone and proves there’s not just one receiver making an impact on the team.”

Escoffrey also had a rushing touchdown, which opened the floodgates to 42 unanswered points.

She played quarterback in every drive except the last, which freshman Tahjie “TT” Freeman took over and threw a 5-yard touchdown to sophomore Yanelli Lopez.

"I played very well as a team player today,” Freeman said. “But the defense was really good today. They’ve been good all season. Comes down to teamwork.”

Lopez’s touchdown was the finishing touch on a strong performance at the defensive back position. The Lions got into the redzone once in the game, where Lopez caught an interception to take them into the half, leading 20-0.

The highlight of the game came early in the second quarter when Escoffrey fled pressure in the pocket and fired a pass on the run to Freeman, who made a one-handed grab in the back of the end zone, tapping her feet inbounds to ensure the score.

“That play was beautiful. I went no-no-no and then went immediately to yes-yes-yes,” Butler said.

It was another all-around performance in the win for the Mustangs, with 42 points from the offense and no scores allowed by the defense. North improved to 6-0 on the season, with four wins being in conference play, keeping them tied with Lake Havasu High School in first place.

“Teamwork is what’s working. We talk a lot and practice defense a lot.” Escoffrey said. “Only thing to improve on is communication. Everybody being more vocal.”