Jaxson Webster
ASU Student Journalist

For Warriors, believing is everything

September 11, 2021 by Jaxson Webster, Arizona State University


Warriors Head Coach Travis Epperson talks to his team before taking the field (Jaxson Webster/AZPreps365)

Jaxson Webster is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover American Leadership Academy - Ironwood for AZPreps365.com

QUEEN CREEK-- As American Leadership Academy - Ironwood took the field for its first game since breaking its 23-game losing streak, one simple word was written on the team’s flag: Believe.

It’s a motto that head coach Travis Epperson has been preaching to his Warriors all season.Despite losing Friday night’s game to the Sierra Linda Bulldogs 34-6, believing is something he thinks will change the program's reputation.

“I believe that you have to believe something before it happens,” Epperson said. “Otherwise it’s just luck, but to be consistent and successful you have to believe that you’re doing the right things.”

Epperson had his entire team sign the flag before the season started. After losing its first game, believing worked. The Warriors beat the Valley Lutheran Flames 34-6 in week two of their season, ending a losing streak that lasted almost three years. 

“It meant a lot to finally get the monkey off their backs,” Nick Hameerg, who helped spot players for the PA announcer, said.

It was Epperson’s first win since taking over as head coach in 2019, but he’s not one to live in the past. Friday’s game was a prime example of that.

The Warriors looked to capture back-to-back wins for the first time since October 2017 but Joshua Berg and Sierra Linda had other plans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                          Warrior players take a knee during an injury timeout  (Jaxson Webster/AZPreps365)

It all started with a blocked punt by the Bulldogs' Ezekqio Chavez that set up the first score of the ballgame at the 7:51 mark in the first quarter.

The Warriors would try to respond with a score of their own the next drive. After a 30-yard pass from Warrior quarterback Connor Mault to tight end Travis Mbuya to put ALA-Ironwood at the seven-yard line, the offense couldn’t find the right play. On fourth down, Epperson sent out the kicking unit, only to have the field goal blocked.

The Bulldogs took advantage once again, this time converting on three separate third downs before Berg punched it in from 15 yards to give the Bulldogs a 14-0 lead.

ALA-Ironwood would strike back with a score of its own by Ryan Hammer to bring it to within a touchdown. After a defensive offside was called on the Bulldogs, Epperson decided to go for two. 

The snap on the two-point conversion was bobbled and the try failed. On the ensuing drive the Bulldogs took over on the 50-yard line. With under a minute in the first half Sierra Linda quarterback Carlos Montoya led a drive with both his legs and arm. After a few healthy rushing gains, Montoya connected on a 30-yard jump ball pass in the endzone to wide receiver Traven Vigenser to make the score 21-6 heading into halftime.

Any chance of a Warrior comeback in the second half ended early in the third quarter when Berg exploded for a 49-yard rushing touchdown to raise the margin to 28-6. He would add one more in the fourth quarter, capping off a three-touchdown day for the 5’8” senior. 

After the game Epperson sent his message of belief to the team again.

“We thought we had it rolling but we got big heads,” Hammer said, “We’ll get it next week.”

Next Friday the Warriors will welcome the 1-2 Catalina Trojans as both teams strive to return to .500 on the season.

“I’m so proud of these kids," said Epperson. "They’re saying the right things, they’re thinking the right things, and I have to believe that’s gonna pay off."