Ethan Kinney is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Veritas Prep High School for AZPreps365.com.

PHOENIX - Veritas Prep accomplished something that hasn’t been done in school history on Friday, as they outmatched Phoenix Christian 33-21 in the final game of regional play. 

The Veritas Prep Falcons (9-0) defeated the Phoenix Christian Cougars (7-2) in a physical game to notch their first undefeated regular season in school history.

The Falcons battled through a slow start to the game and leaned on their takeaway-focused defense en route to yet another dominant win by Veritas head coach Mike Sanfratello.

They now sit at the top of region 2A, and they’ll look to build on what has been a historic season that all started with creating a winning culture that wasn’t satisfied with previous results. 

“I’m grateful and thankful for the boys I get to coach,” Sanfratello said. “Before this season, we bought into a new thing, we had a good thing, but we weren’t OK with good. We wanted greatness.”

Senior captain Baylor Arnold was all over the field in what was the biggest game of the season to date, notching two key interceptions and completely changing the momentum of the game in favor of the Falcons. 

“I saw that thing up in the air and said, ‘That’s my ball,’” Arnold said. “All of the boys know that I make those plays, and I knew I had to step up and make them today.” 

Quarterback Rocco Guido played a phenomenal game as well, saving multiple drives with his legs and throwing four touchdown passes, including a 90-yard bomb to Miles Perry. 

Despite this, Guido said he feels like there are ways he can still improve. 

“It wasn’t a pretty win, I feel like I didn’t play my best football,” Guido said. “But everyone put their bodies on the line every play, and that's why we won.”

Sanfratello noted that his son, Anthony’s tackle-breaking touchdown catch in the first half, where he overpowered numerous Cougar defenders, was a major momentum shift in the game. 

“That one might’ve been the biggest play of the game,” Sanfratello said. “It was like, ‘oh shoot,’ this team is different, that’s when everyone started to believe.” 

The Falcons’ offense moved the ball more fluidly as the game went along, but the defense came out hot from the start. Phoenix Christian, known for a physical, run-first style of play, found little room to work with up the middle. 

Their run game was nullified thanks to junior lineman Emeterio Rodriguez, who neutralized the ground attack of the Cougars all game. 

“He played the game of his life,” Sanfratello said. “They had a hard time running all game, and it started with him up front.”

Despite finishing the regular season undefeated, Sanfratello said the Falcons still haven’t hit their ceiling yet. 

“There’s still meat on the bone,” Sanfratello said. “We know we can play better football, and we’re going to have to.”

The Falcons celebrated this season's first milestone after the game, but they know that their journey is far from over.

“I love these guys,” Arnold said. “We’ve worked our butts off for this. I’m so proud of them, and I’m so excited for what the future holds.”