CATCH UP ON THIS SERIES BY CLICKING HERE
No. 29
CHAMPIONSHIP: Class 1A
SCORE: Patagonia 36, Fredonia 36 (tie)
DATE: November 15, 1991
SITE: Phoenix Christian High School
GAME SUMMARY: No overtimes existed in Arizona high school football playoffs at the time so Patagonia and Fredonia finished as co-champions with each earning a 10-0-1 unbeaten record.
Patagonia, which also won titles in 1987 and 1988 under coach Bill House, took a 34-30 lead with 5:09 remaining when Rick Nord ran 34 yards for a touchdown. The two-point conversion pass from Justin MacLeod to German Montiel was successful, giving Patagonia 36-30 lead.
Fredonia tied the game at 36 on the next possession on Morgan Bingham’s 32-yard scoring run with 3:35 remaining. Bingham finished with 274 yards on 35 carries. A two-point conversion pass fell incomplete and the game remained tied at 36.
The game went back and forth through its entirety. Patagonia led 14-12 at halftime and trailed 30-22 after three quarters. Patagonia scored the first two touchdowns of the fourth quarter to take the 36-30 lead.
THEY SAID IT: “It’s kind of a letdown. We had our chances to win, but it’s still not a loss. What can you say?” — Fredonia coach Mont Griffiths to the Arizona Daily Star after the game.
DID YOU KNOW: Patagonia last fielded a team in 2016. … Bill House, who coached at Patagonia for 11 years, lives in Goodyear. He coached girls volleyball at Estrella Foothills High School for two years (2013 and 2014) before retiring. He went 86-12-1 in his time as Patagonia’s football coach. In 1996, House left Patagonia and took the head coaching job at Glendale Independence High School and spent two years there. House’s brother is pitching coach Tom House, who was part of staffs with the Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, San Diego Padres and USC before retiring in 2011.
Recommended for you
