Elijah Murray is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Red Mountain High School for AZPreps365.com

Senior wide receiver Cadence McCanless spearheaded the Red Mountain flag football team to victory, scoring four touchdowns en route to a 42-0 result over West Point at home on Tuesday.

McCanless, who also plays linebacker, tallied three receiving touchdowns and one pick-six in the game. She credited her preparation for the performance.

“I watched a little bit of film before, opponents are always different. You never want to stoop down to anyone's level,” McCanless said. “I got in a better mindset today than for any other game because I play for my team, my parents, my little sister, and my family. Just knowing that  they’re watching, I've got to perform for everyone.”

Red Mountain coach Julian Madison was proud of McCanless’ performance. 

“She never stops amazing me,” Madison said. “That's a cliche, but I've seen this kid go from bench player as a freshman in a club season to now she's one of the best players in the state, scoring four touchdowns. We had a slow start, and if we didn't have Cadence McCanless, who knows if we win the game.”

Senior quarterback Korey Roberts started the game slowly, turning the ball over multiple times in the first quarter, but she quickly turned it around with three passing touchdowns in the second quarter and another in the third.

Roberts credited her teammates as the difference. 

“I was trying to get a feel, but I wasn’t thinking straight,” Roberts said. “Coming off the field, my teammates sat there, looked at me, and gave me that talk, telling me, 'hey, you got it, you know what you can do and what you can make happen, just do it and take your time.’”

Defense has also been a big part of Red Mountain’s undefeated start to the season, posting the team’s fourth shutout in five games. However, the unit is also good at putting points on the board as they recorded two safeties to kick off the scoring, one in each of the first two quarters, alongside McCanless’ pick-six with five minutes left in the second. 

Madison praised his defense for their high level of play so far. 

“Our rusher, Ava Klene, does an amazing job,” Madison said. “Our linebacker, Cadence, is making plays all over, pulling flags, but also intercepting the ball and scoring, and then our safety, Audrey Pacheco, she covers a lot back there, which makes it so everybody else can play a little bit more aggressive.

“We have a few athletes that are high-level football players, but also our supporting players are pretty good, too. Some of our best girls are on defense.”

Despite the high praise and the 5-0 start to the season, the team isn’t resting on its laurels. 

“I'm feeling pretty good,” Madison said.. “I think we just need to work on a few things to be more prepared for the playoffs, which is the real season.” 

Last year, Red Mountain breezed through the playoffs, beating Gilbert, Basha, and Marana to earn a championship game berth against Hamilton. However, the Mountain Lions fell to the Huskies 21-17.

“It’s really nice being 5-0,” McCanless said. “We don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, but we’re working our way up, and I feel like this is the most prepared we’ve been since I’ve been a freshman here.

“I feel really great about all the girls. We’re practicing really hard every day, we’re watching film, we’re learning something new every day, and we’re just getting better.”

“I want us to work off of it,” Roberts said. “I want us to keep going so that we can keep competing and be ready for playoffs. Preseason, it’s good, but really, we’re working for playoffs, we’re working for that good spot in the playoffs.”

Red Mountain (5-0) will host Westwood (0-3) on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

West Point (1-3) will travel to Hamilton (4-0) on Oct. 14 at 6 p.m.