Nov. 21: No. 3 Pusch Ridge Christian 17, No. 7 Lake Havasu 14 (OT)

Nov. 21: No. 3 Pusch Ridge Christian 17, No. 7 Lake Havasu 14 (OT) 

PHOENIX — “Believe” has been the slogan for Pusch Ridge Christian’s football team all season long. Players and fans routinely chant it multiple times during games, regardless of the score.

The Lions did more than chant it on Saturday – they proved it.

Third-seeded Pusch Ridge rallied from a 14-point deficit and overcame four turnovers to beat No. 7 Lake Havasu 17-14 in overtime and advance to the Division IV state championship game in an improbable fashion.

The Lions (12-1) had never been past the state quarterfinals before this year, but now seem to be the favorite to win it all, as they take a 12-game winning streak into Saturday’s title bout at Scottsdale Chaparral against No. 8 Phoenix Northwest Christian.

“Sometimes, with all these games that have been so close, we’re just breathless,” coach Troy Cropp said. “I don’t know how we end up doing it. The Lord is behind us, that’s all I have to say.”

Two-way sophomore Tamerat McLeod was responsible for two lost fumbles against Lake Havasu but ended up being the newest hero for Pusch Ridge. McLeod kicked a 27-yard game-winning field goal after senior captain James Raica intercepted quarterback Jack Warner in the Knights’ overtime possession.

“This is amazing, this is history,” said McLeod, who was kicking for the first time since the opening week of the season. “This is a such a privilege, and we’ve got to enjoy every moment of it.”

Pusch Ridge is anything but unfamiliar with the dramatics that played out Saturday.

Just last week, senior tight end Ben Walker caught a 30-yard touchdown pass in the final seconds to secure a 13-10 win against No. 6 Mohave Valley River Valley in the state quarterfinals.

Walker hauled in crucial a 37-yard pass on third down in the second quarter for his lone catch of the day Saturday. Six plays later, Raica rushed for a 3-yard touchdown to get Pusch Ridge on the board and make it 14-7.

“It’s beyond belief – I can’t believe it still,” said Raica, who was celebrating his 18th birthday. “It’s amazing for our school and for Tucson. It’s awesome; it’s all we could ask for.”

But before that 74-yard scoring drive, it was hard to imagine Pusch Ridge getting back into the game.

The Lions had three turnovers in the period, and Lake Havasu went up 14-0 on the first play of the second quarter. But little by little, Pusch Ridge found its way back and tied the game at 14 when sophomore Mitch Maas plunged into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown with 4:47 left in the third quarter.

From that point, Lake Havasu kicker Josh Crabtree missed three field goals, including a 34-yarder in the final seconds that almost seemed automatic and had Pusch Ridge players cringing on the sidelines at Phoenix Arcadia. But it was only a matter of time before that worry turned to joy and assistant coach Lamar Lovett could be seen doing his postgame victory dance once again.

Raica’s interception came on the second play of overtime, and moments later, McLeod trotted out to kick the game-winning field goal on the west end of the field. Walker didn’t know if the kick was good at first, but could be seen jumping up and down like a child on Christmas once everyone poured onto the field.

“The thing about us is that we have heart; we never quit until the end today,” Walker said. “I can’t even tell you how special this is. That’s all I wanted this season, just a shot to go to the state championship, and we did it. I have no words for it.”

Daniel Gaona