Alex Swift is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication student assigned to cover Scottsdale Christian Academy for AZPreps365.com.

 

Fall break meant the absence of the usual Scottsdale Christian Academy marching band, cheerleading squad and the student section of Craig Chambers Field emptier than normal.

The Eagles football team and all-conference lineman, Braydon Tatko, who left the game in the first quarter with a hand injury, still came out and took the 56-0 win against the Valley Lutheran Flames on October 18.

“Break wasn’t on our mind,” Tatko said. “We didn't expect anything less.”

The Eagles, tying their 2024 record for largest margin of victory, started the game with a touchdown and never looked back.

By the time the first quarter ended, Scottsdale Christian led 21-0.

Eagles head coach Mike Sheahan said he knew the Flames had 17 players available to play against the Eagles’ usual 53.

“Hats off to Valley Lutheran,” Sheahan said. "They battled all game long, but our game plan was to try to get a lead early to get our young guys in and get them more reps. We just got up early and did what we wanted to do." 

Scottsdale Christian kept its foot on the gas in the second quarter, doubling its lead to 42-0 going into the half.

The third quarter began with the Flames charging down the field, managing to get to the Eagle 22-yard line, the furthest the team had traveled on offense, before Scottsdale Christian forced a fumble that stopped Valley Lutheran’s momentum.

The second half still produced two Eagle touchdowns to give Scottsdale Christian a 56-0 victory, tying its largest margin of victory with its September 26 win against Coronado.

During the game, Scottsdale Christian allowed junior varsity players reps on the varsity squad, including many offensive players. Due to their rotation, many different Eagle players found the endzone. This led to a different player scoring each of Scottsdale Christian’s eight touchdowns.

“It’s a great sign how many players scored. We got a bunch of athletes all over the place. Growing as a football team, we just got to .500, we’re 4-4. If we just get our athletes in space we’re harder to defend,” Coach Sheahan said.

At the end of the the second half, referees told the scorekeepers to keep the clock running for the rest of the game because of how large the Eagle lead was; the second half lasted almost half the time the first half did.

The Eagles currently possess a playoff spot and an opportunity to repeat as 2A state champions, a feat not yet accomplished in school history.

As Scottsdale Christian players laughed, danced and smiled on the sidelines in the second half, an upcoming homecoming matchup against Madison Highland was on starting linebacker Caleb Randall’s mind, who took a new role of waterboy as he rested the final three quarters against the Flames.

“Go win. Keep up the physicality. Same thing as every game, go in and be as physical as possible,” Randall said.