The Valley Christian Trojans headed North to play the Cougars in Show Low on Friday, August 19^th. The weather was stormy, making the field slick and muddy which created challenges with turnovers. The Trojans trailed the Cougars by 14 at the end of the first quarter. Then, with a 27 yard touchdown by Eric Miller, the Trojans brought the score to 7-14 and ended the half at 7-28. After halftime the Trojans started to make their comeback; Hunter Heeringa hit Caleb Lewis for a 16 yard touchdown bringing the score to 14-28 in the third quarter. The enthusiasm was short lived as on the Cougars next possession they had an 80 yard touchdown run. The Trojans' unwillingness to quit scored them two back to back touchdown receptions by Adam Bradford and Ethan Heinrich bringing the score to 28-34. Towards the end of the fourth quarter the Trojans were in striking distance, but ended up having to punt the ball away with time left on the clock. Show Low couldn't be held and scored to end the game at 28-42. Even with the weather, field and turnover challenges, the Valley Trojan football team fought hard to make it a close game.
 
Senior quarterback Hunter Heeringa says, " I didn't play my best, but my team supported me and encouraged me at halftime to have a better second half. It really shows this team is a brotherhood. I'm proud of the way the whole team fought until the end."
 
Senior Outside Linebacker Christian Bell says "We stayed in the fight and never gave up but ultimately didn't finish the way we wanted to."
 
Coach Peterson "Despite the scoreboard, our boys showed a lot of fight getting themselves back into the game. They showed some things we lacked last year, demonstrating perseverance, they took a first step towards our finishing what we started last year."
 
While the loss was disappointing to the team, the Trojans are focused on their next opponent the ALA West Foothills, Guardians on August 26^th.