Sicaly Sorrell is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover McClintock High School for AZPreps365.com 

PHOENIX --McClintock Chargers running back CP Parsons scored three touchdowns in a tough 22-16 victory vs. the Goldwater Bulldogs on Thursday night.

Both McClintock and Goldwater showed defensive grit early, with each team going three-and-out on its first drive. However, Parsons established the offensive rhythm, scoring the first rushing touchdown of the game to put the Chargers up 7-0 with 4:16 remaining in the first quarter. 

The celebration didn’t last long as Goldwater responded with an 82-yard kick return by Ivan Vance to set up his team at the goal line. Goldwater running back Gabe Smith took advantage of the good field position and scored from the 2-yard line, with 3:20 left in the first quarter. 

Goldwater completed a two-point conversion to go up 8-7. 

McClintock coach Nick Offenberger said the Chargers’ game plan was to be efficient on offense.

“When you go up against an offense like theirs, it’s unconventional,” Offenberger said. “You don’t see it a lot. They’re able to eat up quite a bit of clock.”

The game was fast-paced and physical, with both teams relying heavily on their running backs.

Penalties played a significant role, as both the Chargers and Bulldogs accumulated several personal foul penalties. 

After driving the ball downfield, the Chargers were set back by a false-start penalty that pushed them to third-and-15. Chargers quarterback Aidan Whitaker responded, firing a 17-yard completion to wide receiver Bodhisattva Kaanga to move the chains and set up first-and-goal at the 7.

Parsons capitalized on the field position, punching in his second touchdown on a 7-yard run to extend the Chargers' lead to 14-8 with 8:16 left in the second quarter. 

“CP is the heart and soul of this team,” Offenberger said. “I’ve been coaching him since he was 10 years old. The physicality he brings, the athleticism he brings — he’s just a different kind of athlete.”

Parsons, a 5-foot-10 senior,  kept the Goldwater defense at bay, scoring his third TD of the game to put McClintock up 20-8 with 11:28 to go in the fourth quarter. Whitaker then threw a pass to running back Jesus Otero for the two-point conversion, extending the lead to 22-8. 

Despite the lead built by the Chargers, Goldwater methodically worked downfield on a 13-play scoring drive, cutting the deficit to 22-16 after a two-point conversion with 5:42 left in the game. 

The young Chargers team showed poise with Whitaker completing a huge throw to wide receiver Hayden Bajet to extend the drive with 3:00 remaining. That play allowed McClintock to run out the clock, securing its second win in region play.

Parsons said the team’s energy has changed since the arrival of transfer players.

“I’m proud of the coaches holding us to a different standard after these guys came back,” Parsons said. “The players are coming with some good energy.”

Kaanga, who had several key catches, said the team remains focused on taking things one game at a time.

“We’re confident but not overconfident,” Kaanga said. “We’ve got a lot more season ahead of us.”

Offenberger said the Chargers are continuing to build off each performance.

“I feel like we’re a team that’s going to get better every week,” he said. “We’re nowhere near where we need to be, and I think we have a lot more room to grow.”

The Chargers (3-4, 2-0) will visit the Ironwood Eagles (1-6, 0-2) next Friday at 7 p.m.

Goldwater (4-3, 1-1) will visit the Sunnyslope Vikings (5-2, 2-0) next Friday at 7 p.m.