By james art 
Notre Dame Prep (left) starts an offensive game Friday against ALA-Gilbert North. (Rome Caddy Photo/AZPreps365)
Reem Caddy is a student at ASU’s Cronkite School of Journalism assigned to cover Notre Dame Preparatory High School for AZPreps365.com
The No. 27 Notre Dame Prep Saints (5-4) defeated the No. 21 ALA-Gilbert North Eagles (6-3) on Friday in an all-time classic, 51-48, at Bemis Field in Scottsdale.
Before the game, Notre Dame Prep seniors and their families gathered near the field where the traditional evening ceremonies would take place. Unbeknownst to them and everyone who attended the game, this contest would be one for the history books of their football program.
The Saints came into this game struggling to find their footing after winning four straight games to start the season.
After a 40-0 loss against Brophy on Sept. 27, they have lost three straight games against regional opponents, including Horizon, Higley and Cactus Shadows.
On the other hand, the Eagles beat Higley and Cactus Shadows in two one-possession games before last week’s 17-7 loss to Desert Mountain.
Along with that, Friday’s game was also the Fiesta Bowl Friday Night Showdown Game of the Week. The Fiesta Bowl mascot, Spirit, was in attendance and had a great time with the fans.
Spirit, the mascot of the Fiesta Bowl, brings the crowd together. (Rome Caddy Photo/AZPreps365)The first quarter started with scoreless shots from both teams. That is until a fake punt play by the Eagles sent their offense back down the field and into the red zone.
They would eventually score on a goal line play to open the score, 6-0. The extra point was blocked by the Saints and gave them the positive boost they needed.
On the ensuing kickoff, senior running back and outside linebacker Braden Higbee had a 62-yard punt return that put the Saints in opposing territory.
However, it only resulted in a 33-yard field goal to cut the lead in half for the Eagles, 6-3.
On the Eagles’ next drive, they would score another touchdown in a five-play drive that ended with a 16-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Bryson Landon to sophomore wide receiver and center Cam Sheppard.
In the second quarter, it looked like the Saints hit a switch and controlled the game.
Their first offensive drive of the second quarter was a four-play drive that resulted in a 56-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Luke Jacobs to senior wide receiver Cooper Perry. That cut the Eagles lead to 13-10.
Then, with a chance to answer, the Eagles would fumble the ball and turn it over on their first play of the road.
The next offensive drive for the Saints was a three-play drive that resulted in a 22-yard touchdown run from Jacobs to junior wide receiver and kicker Garrett Baker. That gave the Saints a 17-13 lead.
On the Eagles’ next drive, it was a four-play drive that ended with an interception by Saints senior defensive back JJ Francis. He returned it to the Eagles’ 28-yard line.
After returning the ball near their own end zone, the Eagles lost 1 yard on a punt. On the next play, Landon would be sacked in the end zone by a safety by sophomore defensive end Nathan Jones. Those two points would extend the Saints lead to 19-13.
The Saints would then get the ball back on a nil drive by the Eagles and further extend their lead on a 51-yard touchdown that almost turned into an easy interception for the Eagles, but Perry rose up and ripped the ball out of the hands of an Eagles quarterback and practically entered the end zone for a 26-13 Saints lead.
The Eagles would show some grit and determination late in the half in a chaotic, penalty-filled 11-play drive that resulted in a 1-yard touchdown pass from Landon to senior running back and inside linebacker Cody Thorley. The score going into the locker room was 26-20 Saints.
After the Eagles’ first drive of the second half went scoreless, the connection between Jacobs and Perry would continue. The pair were involved in three five-play drives, capped by a 23-yard touchdown pass from, guess who, Jacobs to Perry. On the drive, Perry tried to create space and got pushed off his defender, and the ball fell right into his lap for the score. It’s now 33-20 Saints.
However, the Eagles would answer with a nine-play drive of their own that resulted in a 1-yard touchdown run to make it a one-possession game, 33-27.
On the next drive, senior running back and middle linebacker Jason Sammis burst through a gaping hole for a 46-yard run to put the Saints on the edge of the end zone. Jacobs then hit Perry with an 11-yard pass, but Perry was shaken when he was hit. He would go to the sideline to receive treatment, but would return to the game. Sammis eventually ran the ball into the end zone from 1 yard out to extend the Saints’ lead, 39-27.
After that it was pure chaos for the rest of the game. There will be four lead changes before it’s over.
After two scoreless drives for the Saints, the Eagles would take the lead and score 13 unanswered points to lead by one point, 40-39.
Then, on the very next drive, Perry would pick up the ball for the Saints on a nifty play and sprint 73 yards to the end zone to retake the lead for the Saints, 45-40.
The Eagles then went on a seven-play touchdown drive to regain the lead, 48-45. They would score a two-point conversion after the touchdown.
Jacobs then marched down the field in a 2-minute drill that spanned 11 plays and ended with what ended up being the game-winning touchdown pass to senior defensive end and wide receiver Kanon Kayem. The score was 51-48 after the Saints missed the kick on the extra point attempt.
With just seconds left on the clock, the Eagles attempted the unthinkable and won the game with a Hail Mary pass. The Saints defense would step up and hit the deep pass.
When Jacobs was asked how he was able to step in for senior starting quarterback Dylan Rarden, who is sidelined with a season-ending injury, he thanked the people who helped him get that win.
“My team [was] leading me through it,” Jacobs said. “They [were] helping me.”
Francis was grateful for the protection.
“I’m very proud of that defense,” Francis said. “Moving forward, I would love to see the defense play more. Offensively going forward, I think we’re a great team.”
Higbee, who had a forced fumble and shared the sack with fellow senior linebacker Cody Wells, talked about how good this team looks in its final game of the season.
“I feel like we were kind of at a low point because we were losing [to] all those teams,” Higbee said. “So I feel like that’s really going to give us a boost [and] say we can play with anyone.
Perry earned Fiesta Bowl Player of the Game honors after scoring four times.
The Saints finish their regular season at 7pm on Friday, November 8th when they hit the road against the Desert Mountain Wolves in Scottsdale.
Meanwhile, ALA Gilbert-North will play its final regular season game at 7:00 p.m., Friday, Nov. 8, at home against the Horizon Huskies.