The Tempe Preparatory Academy football team traveled to Arizona Lutheran Academy for their fifth game of the season Wednesday. Still in non-conference play, the Knights hoped to start a winning streak coming off of a win last week against Laveen Heritage Academy. That was not in the cards, however, as the Knights were handed a 57-0 defeat.

 

Only two plays in, quarterback Tyson Biciolis of the Coyotes ran the ball up the middle to score the first touchdown of the game with 11:03 left in the first quarter. The extra point was good, putting the Coyotes up 7-0.

 

Tempe Prep has been struggling with some injuries. Coming into the game, the Knights only had 13 healthy players, leaving little to no room for injuries. Having such a small team puts players on both sides of the ball, meaning the boys are playing for the entirety of the football game.

 

The Coyotes did not let off of the gas pedal, finishing the first quarter with a total of five touchdowns against the Knights’ defense.

 

This game was Hayden Sampson’s third start as a quarterback for Tempe Prep and he is only a sophomore. Throwing three touchdown passes last week against the Heritage Heroes, Sampson has been described by his coach Larry Cain as “lightning in a bottle.”

 

“I’m proud. I’m proud, it’s definitely really hard to play with just 11 players.” Sampson said, “I’m happy with the work they put in.”

 

The Coyotes offense went on to score three more touchdowns before the clock reached triple zeros.

 

“They are a proud program and they have had a lot of success and they just didn’t have the numbers… Thankfully for them and for us, both teams came out relatively injury-free.” ALA head coach Dave Peter said, “The number one goal is to play the football game and have safety as our priority and thankfully I think that was the case.”

 

 Cain reflected on the weaknesses in their most recent loss.

 

“We talk all the time about [the team] being a process. Our goal tonight was just finishing with 11 [players] and I didn’t care what the score was. I’m very proud of the guys, and I’m not even worried about the score.”

 

The Knights will play their homecoming game against Scottsdale Christian Academy on Friday, Sept. 21 at home. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.