Mesa Mountain View stops 2-point try to seal 6A football win over Mesa

The theme of for the game between Mesa Mountain View and Mesa on Friday, Sept. 25, was atonement.

Mesa (2-3) was looking to get back in the win column after suffering a 20-7 defeat on the road at Peoria Centennial Sept. 18, while Mountain View (3-2) was looking to bounce back from a heartbreaking 31-28 loss decided on a last-second field goal by Phoenix Brophy Prep.

In the end, it was Mountain View that got its atonement as it was able to stop a late two-point conversion attempt and come away with a 21-19 win and Mesa bragging rights over the rival Jackrabbits.

With Mountain View clinging to a 21-13 lead in the fourth quarter, Mesa attempted a comeback bid about half way through the quarter with a drive down the field. That drive was stopped cold with 6:39 left in regulation by a Toros interception. Mountain View was unable to extend its lead on its ensuing drive and gave Mesa one last chance to try to rally.

Senior quarterback Kane Anetema connected with senior Kingston Anetema on a 22-yard touchdown catch with just 28 seconds left in regulation to cut the Toros lead to 21-19, but Mesa's bid to tie the game failed when Kane Anetema's quarterback keeper on a 2-point try was stopped by the Toros' defense just shy of the goal line.

All three of the Toros' touchdowns came on the ground, courtesy of senior Coy Bodily's two-yard run with 9:11 left in the second quarter, sophomore Luke Whisenant's one-yard touchdown run later that quarter, and junior quarterback Brayden Merwin's one-yard run that proved to be the game-winning score with 2:02 left in the third quarter

Kane Anetema was the offensive star for the Jackrabbits, as all three of its touchdowns were via the air.

"We like that chip on our shoulder. You know, the Mountain View community likes that chip on our shoulder, and I'm really excited about going into our second half, getting in to region play, and going after that Brown Road trophy." - Mountain View head coach Andy Litten, on going into the second half of the season and what his team hopes to do the rest of the regular season

"We dominated the whole game. This is everything we said we were going to do. So, it's good to shut these guys up, finally." - Mountain View junior quarterback Brayden Merwin on beating rival Mesa.

Both teams will be in action Oct. 2, with Mountain View hosting Queen Creek and Mesa hosting Tucson Salpointe Catholic.