AJ Goncalves is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication student assigned to cover Hamilton High School for AZPreps365.com

CHANDLER— Hamilton are accustomed to winning big, in girls flag football, having outscored opponents 552-44 through their first 12 games, but Tuesday night would prove to be one of their biggest adversity checks of the season. 

Although the final scoreboard revealed a 37-7 Hamilton victory over Mountain Ridge, this game was closer than the scoreboard indicated. 

Ultimately, this game came down toHamilton’s superior athletes, and luckily for the Huskies, their star wide receiver/cornerback senior Samaya Taylor-Jenkins was up for the task. 

Over the course of the night, Taylor-Jenkins hauled in a staggering three touchdown passes from quarterback Marlie Philips and added two interceptions on the defensive side. 

Even with Taylor-Jenkins opening the scoring with a 32-yard diving grab in the back end of the endzone, they still needed more, especially on the defensive side. 

Taylor-Jenkins snagged her first interception of the night, and seventh of the season, at the 8:24 mark of the second quarter. 

In the possession after, the undefeated (12-0) Hamilton had a three-and-out.

The Mountain Lions immediately responded with a touchdown from sophomore Cameron Mailloux to even it at 7. 

Once more, the Huskies went three and out on offense and were still waiting to break out. 

With 1:41 remaining in the second quarter, Taylor-Jenkins snagged another crucial interception before halftime. This turned out to be the game's turning point. 

Taylor-Jenkins was not done for the half.  Taylor-Jenkins helped the Huskies march down the field and scored a touchdown with 45 seconds remaining in the half to give them the lead back. 

Coach Matt Stone said he was impressed with her offense, but astonished by her play on the defensive side. 

“Her defense was what really kept the dam from breaking early,” Stone said. “The interceptions forced Mountain Ridge to throw short, which caused momentum to head back on our side.” 

Taylor-Jenkins thought that she could provide more on the defensive side for Hamilton.

“I feel like last year, I didn’t have as many defensive stats as I wanted,” Taylor-Jenkins said. 

Last season, Taylor-Jenkins led the team in interceptions with nine. Through the first 13 games this season, she has netted eight. 

Philips was highly accurate throughout the night, throwing for four touchdowns, making it 69 on the season.

“We are the most athletic team you can come across,” Philips said. “There is not a team that can match our athletes and scheme as well.” 

Another crucial piece of the puzzle for the Huskies was junior rusher Demi Woods, who netted four sacks on the night. Woods leads the team with 23 sacks.

Note: this game was played before Wednesday’s Hamilton Senior night. They are currently (14-0) and will take on Chandler Monday night.