Noah Podolsky is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Mountain Pointe High School for AZPreps365.com

MESA –  Mountain Pointe secured its third straight victory, defeating Skyline in dominant fashion, 48-6, on Friday, led by Pride quarterbacks Kristian Escobedo and Sonny Norwood’s five-touchdown combined performance.

“They’re both seeing the field really well,” Mountain Pointe coach Jon Roberts said. “K1 is still getting his feet wet in the offense, he’s getting a lot better. And then Sonny, he just brings a dynamic athleticism to that quarterback position. He could play anywhere.”

The Pride (6-3) asserted an early 7-0 lead against the Coyotes (3-6) on their first drive with 5:16 remaining in the first quarter as Escobedo delivered a 10-yard passing TD to sophomore receiver Aiden Rodriguez. After two failed drives by Skyline, Norwood wasted no time notching a sneaky 2-yard rushing TD at the beginning of the second quarter, building a 14-0 lead. 

“It felt good to get my team involved a lot more than just scoring,” Norwood said. “I try to help my team out, play by play, so we can get in and get out right away.”

Skyline responded quickly with 10:17 in the second quarter on a breakaway 37-yard rushing TD from senior quarterback Owen Claridge. However, Mountain Pointe kicker Francisco Orduno Jr., a Northern Arizona University commit,  stole the show by nailing a season-long, 51-yard field goal with 7:50 left in the second quarter. 

“We work in practice every day to get this done, getting these long kicks,” Orduno said. “I trust my team to block for me, to hold for me, to snap. It was just about trust.”

The Pride showed no signs of slowing down in the second quarter after Rodriguez scored on a  51-yard pass from Escobedo with 3:43 left.

After a mis-snapped ball that resulted in a safety for Skyline, Mountain Pointe capitalized one final time in the half with sophomore LeGarrette Blount Jr.'s 57-yard TD reception from Escobedo. 

“The QB threw me wide open,” Blount Jr. said. “It gives the advantage right before halftime and comes out with the momentum.”

With the Pride up 34-6 going into the second half, Norwood further displayed his athleticism with a 70-yard kick return immediately to start the third quarter. Norwood finished off the drive with a 6-yard rushing TD.

Mountain Pointe continued to command the third quarter at 7:54 after a sudden pick-six TD from defensive lineman Marleigh Fely, making it 48-6. Pride outside linebacker Andre Burnside picked off Claridge at the start of Skyline’s following possession, not allowing any breathing room.

“We had two blown coverages,” Coyotes coach Adam Schiermyer said. “Overall, there were probably eight or nine plays if we could take back, it’s a little closer.”

After a final turnover on downs by Skyline with 3:35 left in the fourth quarter, Mountain Pointe ran out the remainder of the game.

Mountain Pointe will direct its focus next week to their last regular season matchup against the first-place team in the 5A East Sky Conference, ALA - Gilbert North.

“To us this is a first-round playoff game,” Roberts said. “If we win, we’ll get that first-round bye, if we lose we know we’re playing the very next week. We’re going to have to go in with the mindset that we’re going to give everything we got.”

Mountain Pointe (6-3) will host ALA - Gilbert North (8-1) next Friday at 7 p.m.

Skyline (3-6) will travel to Gilbert (4-5) next Thursday at 7 p.m.