Alchesay overcame a six-point halftime deficit to outlast Red Mesa, 28-20, to capture the Little Colorado 2A North Region football title outright.

The Alchesay / Red Mesa game was billed as one of the best contest of the year in the Little Colorado 2A North Region.

Alchesay improved its overall record to 9-1 and finished 7-0 in region action. Alchesay, No. 8 in the statewide power rankings, entertains No. 9 Benson this Friday at 7 p.m. in the first round of the 2A football State Tournament.

No. 15 Red Mesa, 9-1 overall and completing its region play at 6-1, travels to Goodyear, Arizona, suburbs of Phoenix, to play No. 2  Trivium Prep this Friday at 7 p.m. in the opening round of the 2A football State Tournament.

Red Mesa took a 20-14 lead at halftime. Alchesay held Red Mesa scoreless in the second half, while the Falcons tallied 14 unanswered points to secure the victory.

In the first quarter, senior quarterback Dearan Horse engineered Red Mesa down the field. Horse scored Red Mesa's first touchdown on an 1-yard run with 6:19 remaining. Horse tacked on the two-point PAT for an 8-0 lead.

Alchesay retaliated, as quarterback Kellen Paarish moved the Falcons into the Red Zone. Parrish called his own number, scampering into the end zone on a 2-yard carry. Parrish connected with Devin Narajano for the two-point PAT, knotting the contest at 8-8 with 3:47 left in the first quarter.

On the ensuing kickoff, Red Mesa's Dearan Horse bolted 75-yards for a touchdown with 3:28 remaining in the first quarter. The PAT failed.

Red Mesa held a 14-8 lead as the first period ended.

Alchesay tied the game early in the second quarter., 14-14. Alchesay's Jordan Brooks got the call, scoring on an 1-yard touchdown with 7:16 left. The PAT failed.

Prior to halftime, signal-caller Dearan Horse found Roland Begay on a 70-yard scoring strike with 5:34 left in the second quarter. The PAT failed, Red Mesa led, 20-14.

Midway through the third quarter, Alchesay began a drive from its 30-yard line. Quarterback Kellen Parrish showed poise as he connected with Ryan Quintero on a 20-yard touchdown pass with 6:27 remaining. The PAT failed. Alchesay tied the game at 20-20.

It battle of the trenches for majority of the fourth quarter. Neither team could punch the ball over into the end zone.

It wasn't until 1:42 remaining in the game, when quarterbacl Kellen Parrish called his own number, outlasting defenders on a 32-yard game winning touchdown. Kellen Parrish hooked up with Devin Narajano for the 2-point PAT.

Alchesay head coach Brandon Newcomb said the Falcons' offensive line was the game difference.

"We were able to wear down their linemen," Newcomb explained. "Our 11 minute drive when the game was tied, 20-20, which started in the third quarter and ended after a Kellen Parrish run with 1:42 left in the game was determining factor in the game."

Newcomb said Falcons' Kellen Parrish was the player of the game.

"Kellen Parrish was the best player on the field," Newcomb said. "He had two TD runs, a TD pass, converted two 2-point conversion passes, caused a fumble and had a 45-point punt that pinned Red Mesa deep in their territory and allowed Red Mesa's top wide receiver only two catches."

Newcomb credited the Falcons' sturdy defense in containing Red Mesa's offense.

"Nick Kitcheyan and Jeremiah Kessay played great at their defensive end / outside linebacker position," Newcomb said. "Nick and Jeremiah contained Red Mesa's toss sweep play. Cesario Hernandez and Jordan Brooks played well on both sides of the ball."

Red Mesa head coach Pita Olomua said Alchesay was the better team on the field.

"Alchesay was the better team," Olomua said. "Their quarterback / defensive back turned in a solid performance. It was a close first half. Alchesay outplayed us in the second half. They controlled the ball late in the game. They scored the winning touchdown, after moving the ball for such a long time."

Newcomb said Benson is a challenging team, Alchesay's first round opponent in the football state tournament.

"Benson has a strong running game," Newcomb said. "They have played a very competitive schedule that will have them ready for Friday night."

Newcomb said the Falcons offensively must control the game, by getting first downs, eliminate turnovers and penalties.

"If we can be turnover and penalty-free, we should be able to be in the game for four quarters," Newcomb explained. "Defensively, we must not show "big" plays and play our assignments on defending their option game."

Red Mesa head coach Pita Olomua said his team is not backing down to Trivium Prep.

"They (Trivium Prep) is a good team," Olomua said. "They played a good schedule. They are big. They will run some and pass some. Our defensive secondary have to be ready for the pass and our linemen and linebackers have to be ready for the run."