In the final game of the season for both schools, American Leadership Academy-Gilbert North defeated Coronado, 68-23, Friday night at Coronado.

The Eagles relied heavy on quarterback Jack Ricedorff in the first half who threw for over 150 yards and had four of his five touchdown passes in the first half.

“They blitzed a lot and they left the middle of the field open a lot so we knew that seams would be open a lot if we could just hit it,” Ricedorff said after the game.

The Coronado Dons, who finished the season with a 1-9 record, fought all the way through, but it was going to be a tough task for them from the get-go, a task that even got tougher after one of the Dons’ best players, senior Dayvion Sumpter, was ejected along with an Eagles defensive lineman after a quick altercation between the two.

Sumpter is the Dons' star running back and cornerback, as well as one of the leaders inside the Coronado locker room.

“It was very unfortunate because that young man has great character and great discipline,” Coronado head coach Curt LeBlanc said. “I’m still blown away because it’s just an unfair reflection of who (Sumpter) is. He works harder than anybody else and I have nothing to say other than good things about that young man.”

With Sumpter out it took Coronado a while to find its offensive rhythm, only scoring three points in the first half. In the third quarter, however, the Dons came out of the locker room strong, scoring on their first drive that culminated with a 55-yard run by senior Hazem Seddick.

The Dons ended up scoring 20 points in the third quarter but the defense never really gave them a chance, allowing the Eagles to respond to every point scored by Coronado. ALA ended up scoring 27 points in the third quarter, led by running back Matt Ohlund and a bulky offensive line that clearly had an advantage against the Dons.

“We need to get kids stronger,” LeBlanc said when asked what they need to improve on this offseason. “We have to commit to being in the weight room and that’s our biggest issue is that we’re not as strong as we should be.”

Coronado was certainly able to gather up more yards in the second half but whether it was because of quick answers by the Eagles offense or interception and fumbles in the redzone, the score was out of reach for the Dons for most of the game.

After the game, however, there wasn’t a single disappointed coach on the field for both sides knowing it was the last game of the season and it will be the last time many of the seniors on the field will ever put on a football uniform. Teammates and coaches hugging each other, as well as some very inspiring speeches were seen all throughout the field after the game ended.

“Our kids are more disciplined, our kids have better grades, they’re more active and have a stronger character,” LeBlanc said about the progression of the seniors and the team as a whole. “It’s heartbreaking to see your players go every year but it’s also neat to see what they do in their future and that’s the way I see it and that’s just part of the job.”

“The fact that these kids kept fighting and got better throughout the year even knowing that they’re not playing in the playoffs is a pleasure to watch how much they’ve grown, “ ALA head coach Randy Ricedorff said. “We have a lot of kids coming back and I’m just excited about the future of ALA. I think we’re headed in the right direction.”

ALA finished the season with a 6-5 record.