David Londono is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to Westview High School for AZPreps365.com.

 

Westview High School's new starting quarterback, senior Grant Guidry, kneels for a prayer with a full moon in the background as the band plays Glamorous by Fergie. Behind the scoreboard, there’s a dark silhouette of the Estrella Mountains, the flags wave with “Tackle Cancer” signs in the stands for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s game time.

One of the assistant coaches can be heard saying, “This is who they brought to beat, y’all.” He pointed to the smaller North Canyon High School team, hyping up the Westview players who started shouting, “They shouldn’t score the ball.” 

A week ago, it was 95 degrees, and Westview lost to Paradise Valley High School. On Friday, October 18, it was a cool, windy, 65-degree night, and Westview (4-3) won 33-6 against the North Canyon Rattlers (0-7).  

Guidry got his first start last week once being declared eligible after his transfer from Brophy College Preparatory. 

Guidry and the Knights lost 35-28 to Paradise Valley but Guidry threw four touchdowns and 273 yards, which are both Knights season-highs in a game. 

“I was super nervous," Guidry said. "It was my first game back in a year and a half, and I had to knock off some rust. Numbers don’t mean much when we lose.” 

North Canyon is winless in this season, and Westview's Head Football Coach Sean Moran said this is something they care about.

“We don’t play down to competition. We don’t pay attention to the records or scores of the game,” Coach Moran said. “We only care about what we see on film.”

Westview started hot driving down the field with its passing game but an ineligible man downfield penalty wiped away a touchdown and led to a failed 4th down attempt.

North Canyon fumbled in its first position, setting up Westview for 1st-and-goal on the 10. 

Guidry passed it to junior, Andrew Ibarra, for a 10-yard touchdown. 

After a 3-and-out by North Canyon, Westview two dropped passes and went for it on 4th down. It led to a sack, which caused the O-Line coach, Jatai Jenkins, to immediately walk toward the sideline where his guys sat for a pep talk, and he could be heard from the stands screaming. 

“You’re about to get him killed,” Jenkins said. “When are you going to hold yourself to a standard, key on No. 17.” 

Their next drive was a success as Guidry threw 63 yards to senior wide receiver, Addarius Miles, for a touchdown as Westview led 14-0 to end the first quarter. 

North Canyon had another 3-and-out, while Westview settled for a punt after a 60-wide receiver screen was called back because of a hold. 

Senior safety/linebacker, Navin Garcia, caught a tipped ball for the interception. This allowed Westview to drive down the field and find junior Trysten Fierro for the touchdown making it 21-0 Westview. 

North Canyon tried a desperation Hail Mary before halftime but it was intercepted by sophomore cornerback, Kindred Johnson 

North Canyon scored on its first drive of the second half making it 21-6. 

Westview housed a squib kickoff after junior, Demario Wadebey, took it to the endzone, making it 27-6.

North Canyon was able to drive down the field with the help of three penalties committed by Westview but was stopped on 4th-and-goal. 

Westview ended the third quarter with a deep ball to Ibarra for 75 yards down then got a 3-yard touchdown on the very next play to make the score 33-6. 

In the fourth quarter, Westview was in chew clock while North Canyon was unable to drive down the field. 

Garcia looked like the biggest winner as he was the last one to leave the field, soaking in the moment, kneeling in prayer, then going over to his family, who gave him a warm hug as they murmured how they were proud of him.

“My senior year is coming to an end soon,” he said, “and I’m trying to live in the moment while dealing with the excitement and the sadness.”