Nearly everyone in attendance at Mesquite’s first-round playoff game was preparing for overtime Wednesday night. 

The Wildcats and visiting St. John Paul II were locked in a scoreless game with less than :15 left to play. 

“I figured overtime was inevitable,” Mesquite coach Chad Montgomery said. 

Like everyone else, Montgomery was wrong. 

With 2:00 left in the game, the Wildcats (12-3) had one last possession and put a few completions together, driving to the 25-yard line. That's when quarterback Jordyn Flores spiked the ball for one last play in regulation.  

On the next play, Flores found freshman Norija Anthony open near the 10-yard line. She took off to her left, finding open space to the endzone, scoring with .4 seconds left in the game. 

It was the game’s only score, and gave Mesquite a 7-0 win over St. John Paul II. 

The No. 3 Wildcats advanced to the 4A quarterfinals Saturday against sixth seeded Coconino, who beat Westview 38-0. 
 

“I know it probably wasn’t pretty to look at, but St. John Paul played a heck of a game especially defensively,” Montgomery said. 

It was a defensive battle all night, but let’s give (Jordyn and Norija) credit for stepping up with a huge play at the end."

St. John Paul II defenders Elliana Madden (20) and Lauren Gwazdauskas (3) pull the flag of Mesquite quarterback Jordyn Flores Wednesday night. (Photo  courtesy of SJP II athletics)

Flores also thought overtime was inevitable. "Even when Norija caught the ball, I didn't think she could score being at the 10-12 yard line," Flores said after the game. "But she's faster than she looks. I'm just so glad because I really didn't want to go to overtime." 
St. John Paul II, the No. 14 seed, finished the season 8-9. Elliana Madden led the Lions with 12 flag pulls.