On Thursday, November 9th, Valley Christian hosted the 3A football quarterfinal playoff game at Benson Field. The Trojans were ready to face off against the #7 ranked Thatcher Eagles (7-4) and beat them again for the second time this season. The last time the Trojans faced off against Thatcher was at home on September 1st and resulted in a 15-14 win for the Trojans. Some people thought that this first win against Thatcher was a fluke, but the boys felt confident going into the rematch, knowing they could beat them again.  

Thatcher started off the game with a 60-yard pass to begin the first quarter. Subsequently, later in the drive on fourth down for the Eagles, they fumbled the ball, and it was recovered by junior linebacker Luke Snyder. After a couple of run plays, the Eagles' defense intercepted a pass from Gunnar Link and went on to score, putting the Trojans down 0-7. On the next possession the Trojans advanced the ball down the field and eventually were forced to kick a field goal, which was converted by senior kicker Wilson Kaehr. In the next Eagles possession, the Trojans were able to quickly stop the Eagles, ending the first quarter down 3-7. 

At the start of the second quarter, senior wide receiver Will Bastian carried the ball 40 yards to the 20-yard line for a first down. From the 20-yard line the Trojans went for another field goal, which Kaehr successfully made, tightening up the the score to 6-7. Both teams traded possessions through the middle of the second quarter, but none of them managed to score until the final two minutes. Thatcher fumbled the ball and Senior Receiver Caleb Lewis scored a touchdown. Next, Senior Quarterback Gunnar Link passed the ball to Senior Wide Receiver Carson Tarr which completed the 2-point conversion. The second quarter ended with the Trojans leading 14-7. 

Luke Snyder stated that, "Our defense was playing really well, and the defense really came through. Coach said to keep making stops and the offense was going to get it going. The offense didn't play to their fullest potential, but the defense came through and that's what makes us a team." 

The Eagles quickly tied up the game at the beginning of the third quarter by intercepting a pass from Link and scoring a touchdown and field goal. Then in the middle of the third the Eagles score another touchdown but are blocked in their attempt for a field goal. The Trojans then score another touchdown made by Tarr, and a field goal made by Wilson, barely putting them ahead at 21-20. 

Tarr said, "Thatcher had scored, and we knew we just had to keep our heads up and keep fighting. And that's what we did." 

Many plays were made in the fourth quarter, both teams still having the chance to win. This quarter, neither side seemed to get the ball going, which made the last minutes very vital. The Trojans, hoping to keep their 1-point lead, fought strong against the Eagles. The last couple plays of the game became very intense with the Eagles on the offensive. Luckily, the Trojans were able to put an end to the game, as Caleb Lewis intercepted a pass to end the Eagles hope of a comeback, making the final score 21-20 in favor of the Trojans. 

The Trojans' win last Thursday puts them into the semi-finals which they will be playing against the 8-2 Paradise Honors Panthers. The Trojans are going in with many wins on their backs and, they are ready to reclaim their victory against the Panthers.