Basha Pulls Away in Fourth Quarter to Defeat Red Mountain 35-12

Basha overcame an early deficit and erupted for 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to defeat Red Mountain 35-12 Friday night in a 6A Southern varsity matchup at Red Mountain High School.

Red Mountain's defense produced the first points of the night. After Basha was backed up near its own goal line, Red Mountain recorded a safety to take a 2-0 lead in the first quarter.

The Mountain Lions continued to create problems defensively throughout the opening period. Derek Wilson recorded a tackle for loss, Levi Lawlor added a sack, and Red Mountain forced Basha into a missed field-goal attempt to preserve the 2-0 advantage.

Red Mountain carried its momentum into the second quarter. Keyan Fagan helped move the offense inside the Basha 10-yard line before the drive stalled, setting up Chase Pitzer for a 20-yard field goal that extended the lead to 5-0.

Basha answered late in the half. The Bears drove into Red Mountain territory and eventually faced first-and-goal before penalties pushed them backward. Basha recovered from the setbacks when No. 88 hauled in a 21-yard touchdown pass. The extra point gave the Bears their first lead of the game, 7-5, heading into halftime.

Basha quickly added to its advantage after the break. A blocked Red Mountain punt was returned 11 yards and gave the Bears possession at the Red Mountain 15-yard line. Basha immediately capitalized as No. 2 caught a 15-yard touchdown pass. The PAT increased the Bears' lead to 14-5.

Red Mountain refused to go away.

The Mountain Lions put together a scoring drive later in the third quarter, moving from their own territory to the Basha 30. No. 11 finished the possession with a 30-yard touchdown reception, and Pitzer converted the extra point to pull Red Mountain within two at 14-12.

Basha was already threatening again when the third quarter ended, however, and the Bears turned that possession into the beginning of a decisive fourth quarter.

No. 6 caught a touchdown pass to open the final period, and the extra point stretched Basha's lead to 21-12.

After Red Mountain was forced to punt, Basha marched back into the red zone. No. 6 finished the drive on the ground for another touchdown, pushing the Bears ahead 28-12 following the PAT.

Basha's defense then forced Red Mountain to turn the ball over on downs, giving the Bears possession at the Mountain Lions' 21-yard line. No. 6 struck again with his third touchdown of the fourth quarter and second rushing score, extending the lead to 35-12.

Red Mountain made one final push into Basha territory late in the game but was unable to add to its total before time expired.

The Mountain Lions led 2-0 after the first quarter and 5-0 during the second, but Basha scored 35 of the game's final 42 points. The Bears' fourth-quarter surge ultimately created the separation after Red Mountain had pulled within two points late in the third.

Following the victory, Basha head coach Chris McDonald praised the players who stepped into larger roles with other players sidelined.

“It just kind of speaks to really our staff and how well a lot of these kids are developing and prepared,” McDonald said. “You got underclassmen, you got guys that are usually backups coming in, playing in big games like this, and still executing at a high level. Just proud of them.”

McDonald also pointed to consistency as an area Basha will continue working to improve.

“I feel run game-wise, it's kind of like boom or bust at times, and we just need to be more consistent with that,” McDonald said. “I think, as coaches, we need to do a better job getting our offense in a rhythm.”