Flagstaff was overwhelmed on Friday, suffering a 55–0 shutout at home as new quarterback Broden Custer made his first start for the Eagles.

It was the Eagles’ first 4A regional game back in Flagstaff, but they’re still reeling from the loss of senior quarterback Chase Brown, who announced on social media that a torn ACL would end his high school career.

“He’s doing everything he possibly can to help the team in his new role,” Eagles head coach Mickey Clements said. “He did a great job tonight helping with signals and being on the headset.”

Clements praised Brown for “staying positive even in the most difficult times.”

In the opening minutes,  a muffed punt set the Volunteers at Flagstaff’s 35-yard line. Later in the possession, Lucas Lease broke through for a touchdown run, putting Lee Williams ahead 7-0. 

Custer struggled on offense to begin his first start of his young career, unable to find a rhythm as Lee Williams' defense applied constant pressure early.

The Eagles kept it close through the first quarter, but the second unraveled quickly. Lease scored again, Morgan Quinn connected with Cooper Crunk for a short touchdown, and a blocked field goal return swung momentum completely. A Custer fumble set up Lease for his third touchdown of the night, and Lee Williams stormed into halftime ahead 34–0.

With a significant deficit in play, Flagstaff needed to be aggressive right out of the tunnel. Unfortunately, just a play into the third quarter, the Volunteers' Crunk picked off Custer and returned it for a touchdown, securing Lee Williams a 41-0 lead at the beginning of the second half. Trouble followed as plays later, Custer threw his second pick-six of the game, making it 48-0 and putting the game out of reach.

“He just kept going back out there and doing his best,” Clements said. "There is a lot we can build off of.” 

The Volunteers’ defense not only forced turnovers but also shut down top receiver Will Carpenter, leaving the Eagles with no reliable options downfield.

 

 

Lee Williams added a late score in the fourth to seal the 55-0 victory, making them 4-1 on the season and 2-0 in 4A regional play. This loss dropped Flagstaff to 1-4 overall and 0-1 in 4A regional play.

“Things have happened fast from last Friday to this Friday,” Clements said. “I need to do a better job giving them a game plan we can work on in practice.”

Flagstaff (1-4) will travel to Prescott Valley next Friday and play the Bradshaw Mountain Bears (3-2) in another Grand Canyon Region game.