Photos: Walden Grove lose the lead late, fall to Northwest Christian 52-46 in a 4A state tournament rematch
The Red Wolves can't hold onto the lead, surrendering 35 fourth quarter points to the Crusaders to lose 52-46 in the first round of the state 4A football playoffs, Sahuarita, Ariz., November 7, 2025.
Northwest Christian's Debo Vitale (4) has just enough of a grip on Walden Grove's Jaxsen Philistine (2) to stop his run around end during the second quarter of their 4A state playoff game, November 7, 2025, Sahuarita, Ariz. The Red Wolves had a 39-27 lead going into the fourth quarter get away, falling to the Crusaders 52-46.
Walden Grove’s Gauge Abalos (12) gestures to a sideline photographer after bashing his way into the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter against Northwest Christian in their 4A state playoff game, Nov. 7, 2025, in Sahuarita.
Northwest Christian's Conner Main (14) flings himself over the goal line to score on Walden Grove during the fourth quarter of their 4A state playoff game, November 7, 2025, Sahuarita, Ariz. The Crusaders hammered home 35 points I the fourth quarter.
Walden Grove's Jaxsen Philistine (2) does just enough to keep Northwest Christian's Zayne Wallwork (2) from hauling in the catch during the second quarter of their 4A state playoff game, November 7, 2025, Sahuarita, Ariz.
Northwest Christian's Ryder Hathcock (32) gets close but can’t get a touch on Walden Grove's Jordan Dobson (5) as he shoots up the middle to return the third quarter kick-off for a touchdown during the 4A state playoffs, November 7, 2025, Sahuarita, Ariz.
Walden Grove's Trey Forbregd (23) crashes the middle and flushes Northwest Christian's Laki Wallwork (3) out of the pocket during the third quarter of their 4A state playoff game, November 7, 2025, Sahuarita, Ariz.
Northwest Christian's Laki Wallwork (3) sidesteps Walden Grove's Paul Delgado (22) as he weaves his way out trouble during the third quarter of their 4A state playoff game, November 7, 2025, Sahuarita, Ariz.
Walden Grove's Jordan Dobson (5) hops out of the hands of Northwest Christian's Debo Vitale (4) to make big yards on his second kickoff return of the third quarter, Nov. 7, 2025, in Sahuarita.
Northwest Christian's Conner Main (14), left, helps drag down Walden Grove's Dominic Sanchez (36) but not soon enough to keep him from the first down during the third quarter of their 4A state playoff game, November 7, 2025, Sahuarita, Ariz.
Northwest Christian's Cade Muscari (8) comes up to wrap up Walden Grove's Sebastian Gallardo (28) during the third quarter of their 4A state playoff game, November 7, 2025, Sahuarita, Ariz.
Walden Grove's Wheeler Delancey (3), top, comes up to congratulate Kylian Knight (11) after his scoring catch during the third quarter against Northwest Christian, November 7, 2025, Sahuarita, Ariz.
Walden Grove's Angel Armenta (21) flips Northwest Christian's Nathan Johannes (0) to the turf on his run during the state playoffs, November 7, 2025, Sahuarita, Ariz.
Walden Grove's Gauge Abalos (12) gets off the throw despite pressure from Northwest Christian's David Summers (66) during the fourth quarterof their 4A state playoff game, November 7, 2025, Sahuarita, Ariz.
Walden Grove's Miguel Aboyte (8), left, and Antonio Baca (20) converge on Northwest Christian's Debo Vitale (4) on a tackle for loss during the fourth quarter of their 4A state playoff game, November 7, 2025, Sahuarita, Ariz.
Walden Grove's Kylian Knight (11) slams into Northwest Christian's Laki Wallwork (3) jarring the ball loose during the fourth quarter of their 4A state playoff game, November 7, 2025, Sahuarita, Ariz. The Crusaders recovered the fumble to maintain possession.
Walden Grove's Paul Delgado (22) drags down Northwest Christian's Nathan Johannes (0) for a loss early in the first quarter, November 7, 2025, Sahuarita, Ariz.
Walden Grove's Jaxsen Philistine (2) tries to weave his way through a good chunk of the Northwest Christian defense following his catch and run for a first down during the first quarter of their 4A state playoff game, November 7, 2025, Sahuarita, Ariz.
Walden Grove's Kylian Knight (11) can’t keep his grip on a throw despite beating Northwest Christian's Keenan Schubert (5) into the end zone during the first quarter of their 4A state playoff game, November 7, 2025, Sahuarita, Ariz.
Neither Walden Grove's Wheeler Delancey (3), top, and Northwest Christian's Keenan Schubert (5) can get to a Red Wolves pass during the first quarter of their 4A state playoff game, November 7, 2025, Sahuarita, Ariz.
Walden Grove's Dominic Sanchez (36) bursts free and clear up the middle to score in the second quarter against Northwest Christian, November 7, 2025, Sahuarita, Ariz.
Walden Grove cheerleader Cayden Cordova helps with the pregame festivities, running one of the smoke torches through the stadium before kick off of the 4A state playoff game against Northwest Christian, November 7, 2025, Sahuarita, Ariz.
Walden Grove's head coach Corey Noble sends Trey Forbregd (23) back in with the defensive scheme as the Red Wolves try to make a goal line stand against Northwest Christian in the fourth quarter, November 7, 2025, Sahuarita, Ariz.
Walden Grove’s head coach Corey Noble comforts senior Kylian Knight (11) after the Red Wolves’ 52-46 loss to Northwest Christian in the 4A state playoffs, Nov. 7, 2025, in Sahuarita.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
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