Andrew Bernson is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Pinnacle High School for AZPreps365.com

PEORIA, Ariz.-- Fans and players thought the Liberty Lions would have an easy victory over the Pinnacle Pioneers in the Lions’ homecoming game Friday. 

Liberty came into the game ranked No. 2 with a 4-1 record. The Lions had blown out every team they had faced. Their closest win was a 22-point victory. 

As it turned out, Pinnacle would give the Lions their toughest win of the season.

In a game that saw Pinnacle answer Liberty at nearly every turn, the Pioneers fell just short, losing 32-29 as the clock ran out.

From the start, Pinnacle made it clear it was not going to be easy. After Liberty celebrated its first touchdown, a screen pass from quarterback Hayden Fletcher to Esteban Demby-Lamas, Pinnacle answered with a fake punt and a touchdown by Tyson Muniz. Though Pinnacle failed to convert the extra point, the score offered a teaser of things to come.

Fletcher and the Lions’ offense presented a formidable challenge to Pinnacle’s defense. But Pinnacle quarterback Wyatt Horton became a challenge of his own.

Horton kept Pinnacle in the game by shaking defenders and finding open receivers. At the end of the first quarter, Horton escaped the pocket and connected with wide receiver Jace Pina in the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown to bring the Pioneers to within one point of Liberty.

In the second quarter, Liberty extended its lead to 21-13, but Horton and Pinnacle’s offense answered again. Horton completed a big pass to Pina, then a long, clutch fourth-down pass to him, setting up a 2-yard quarterback draw for a touchdown. That again brought the Eagles to within one point of Liberty and it was 21-20 at the half.

The third quarter was a defining one for Pinnacle. After Liberty’s first drive ended without a score, Pinnacle capitalized on its opportunities. Pinnacle running back Xavier Valdivia ran down the field, culminating in a 31-yard rushing touchdown that gave Pinnacle its first lead of the game, 26-21. 

“We can mess with these open teams, and we’re not scared,” Valdivia said. “We’re not going to back down against anybody, no matter who the opponent is.”

Liberty regained the lead in the fourth quarter with a series of big passes from Fletcher, but Pinnacle was not ready to concede. Horton completed a huge pass to wide receiver Joshua Pinder on third down, keeping Pinnacle’s hopes alive. Late in the fourth quarter, Pinnacle kicked a field goal to tie the game 29-29, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

With a minute to go in the game, Liberty kicked a field goal to take the lead 32-29. The Pioneers managed to drive the ball down to the Liberty 25-yard line with time for one more play. Pinnacle head coach Dana Zupke elected to throw a long ball instead of attempting a 42-yard game-tying field goal and the Lions hung on to win.

After the game, Zupke explained his call. “My kicker was hot and cold all night so when I had time to process it, I felt better about giving our offense a chance,” Zupke said.

Despite the loss, Zupke was happy with the way his team played. “I couldn’t be more proud,” Zupke said. “If we have a couple more seconds on the clock, we were going to win that game.” 

Zupke’s quarterback agreed. “We’re some warriors,” Horton said. We’re all extremely proud of our fight. We trusted each other and it’s a special group. You’re never really losing [when] you’re always learning.”

Pinnacle will have a week to rest before the Pioneers travel to Sandra Day O’Connor to take on the Eagles at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 in Phoenix.