By Don Ketchum

Football players from Tempe Marcos de Niza liked winning the Fiesta Bowl 7-on-7 passing tournament so much last summer that they decided to do it again.

The Padres made it 2-for-2 in the event’s second year, defeating host Phoenix Pinnacle 13-12 in the championship game on Saturday (June 11). The Fiesta Bowl and the Arizona Interscholastic Association teamed up to run the event.

“We are happy we were able to win it again,’’ said Marcos de Niza coach Roy Lopez. “We played well, but we were also lucky a few times.’’

Perhaps he was referring to the decisive touchdown when Mauriece Lee picked a deflected pass out of the air and scored on a play that covered about 20 yards.

It gave Marcos de Niza a 13-6 lead. Pinnacle came back to score on a pass from Jackson Harley to Dylan Armstrong, but the conversion pass was completed short of the goal line. Pinnacle fell to Marcos de Niza earlier Saturday, but defeated Gilbert after that to earn another shot at the Padres.

Lee, a junior-to-be, also scored Marcos de Niza’s first TD on a pass from Thornton and caught the one-point conversion pass.

Lee seemed a bit more nervous doing what he said was his first interview than making plays on the field.

Of the tipped pass for the TD, he said, “I just caught it and went for it (end zone).’’ Of the first TD, he said, “The quarterback threw me a perfect pass.’’

Lopez said his team could have done better by holding onto the ball more than it did.

“We’re going to have to improve, maintain our focus. We are going to be young in some areas and we are going to have to learn,’’ he said.

The defense is in much better shape, Lopez said.

“They played their tails off in this tournament,’’ he said.

Thornton said the defense gave the offense momentum and motivation.

“We are going to have a good team in the fall. We have a good cast of characters,’’ he said.

A year ago, Thornton was new to the team, having moved in from Colorado. Now he is confident and so are his teammates.

“We are excited about what we are capable of. We came in here expecting to win it again,’’ he said.

As part of the state’s realignment, Marcos de Niza will be in the new Division II, Section III this fall, joining Gilbert Perry, Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep, Tempe McClintock, Phoenix Shadow Mountain, Phoenix Sunnyslope, Phoenix Horizon, Scottsdale Chaparral, Prescott Valley Bradshaw Mountain, Phoenix Barry Goldwater, Kingman, Cave Creek Cactus Shadows and Prescott.

Meanwhile, Pinnacle coach Dana Zupke was encouraged by the play of his team.

“You have to keep things in perspective because it’s a passing league and we aren’t in pads, but I’d say we competed at a high level in this tournament,’’ he said. “We’re proud of our guys.’’

Hanley did not play in the early rounds of the tournament and was taking his ACT on Saturday morning, but made it back in time for the final game. Hanley tossed his first TD pass of the title game to Nick Cappellini.

The realignment will put Pinnacle in the tough Division I, Section III with Mesa Mountain View, Glendale Mountain Ridge, Phoenix Desert Vista, Mesa Red Mountain, Phoenix Mountain Pointe, Mesa Westwood, Anthem Boulder Creek, Scottsdale Desert Mountain, Phoenix North Canyon, Mesa, Phoenix Sandra Day O’Connor and Phoenix Brophy Prep.