Mountain Ridge Rallies Past Mountain Pointe for 30-29 Comeback Victory

Mountain Ridge erased an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit Friday night to defeat Mountain Pointe 30-29 in a boys varsity football matchup at Mountain Pointe High School.

The Mountain Lions controlled the opening quarter, jumping ahead 11-0. Mountain Ridge opened the scoring with a touchdown pass to No. 7 before adding a field goal to establish the early advantage.

Mountain Pointe answered in the second quarter.

The Pride connected with No. 4 for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 11-7 before adding a rushing touchdown and extra point to take a 14-11 advantage into halftime.

Mountain Ridge regained the lead in the third quarter with a touchdown and moved ahead 18-14, but Mountain Pointe responded.

No. 4 Julian Ortega helped the Pride take control during the third quarter. Mountain Pointe scored twice as the Pride built a 27-18 advantage heading into the fourth.

Mountain Pointe added a safety in the fourth quarter, extending its lead to 29-18 and putting Mountain Ridge in an 11-point hole.

The Mountain Lions refused to go away.

Mountain Ridge scored a touchdown to cut Mountain Pointe's advantage to 29-24, setting up a final opportunity for the Mountain Lions.

With approximately three minutes remaining, Mountain Ridge found the end zone again on a touchdown pass to move ahead 30-29.

Mountain Ridge attempted a two-point conversion following the go-ahead touchdown, but the attempt failed, leaving the Mountain Lions with a one-point advantage.

Mountain Pointe received an opportunity to answer, but the Pride eventually turned the ball over on downs. Mountain Ridge took possession and closed out the 30-29 comeback victory.

After the game, Mountain Ridge junior wide receiver Murdoch Cable pointed to the Mountain Lions' mentality as a key part of the comeback.

“I think the grit, definitely the perseverance,” Cable said.

Cable also credited teammates Luke Weber, Lukas Hindle and Amar Sutcovic, along with the Mountain Ridge defense, while emphasizing the team's determination after a difficult previous season.

“We're here to fight. We're here to keep fighting,” Cable said.

Mountain Ridge's fourth-quarter rally ultimately turned an 11-point deficit into a one-point road victory, with the Mountain Lions scoring the game's final 12 points to secure the 30-29 win.