Red Mountain Edges ALA-Queen Creek 28–21 in Gritty Friday Night Thriller

Under the bright Friday night lights, Red Mountain and ALA-Queen Creek delivered the kind of playoff football that shows exactly why November games feel different. The Mountain Lions didn’t just survive the Patriots — they outlasted them, 28–21, in a back-and-forth matchup full of momentum swings, standout performances, and a tense finish that kept the entire stadium locked in.

From the opening drive, Red Mountain played with control and confidence. Quarterback Dominic Carmigiano settled in early, spreading the ball across the field and keeping the Patriots defense on its heels. His timing with King Robinson proved especially important, with Robinson finishing with 67 receiving yards and a crucial touchdown that helped stabilize the offense whenever the game tightened.

ALA-Queen Creek showed why they entered the postseason on a five-game win streak. Nash Proctor fueled their offense with 82 receiving yards and a physical rushing touchdown that helped shift momentum in the second half. On the defensive side, Ryder Stowell consistently disrupted the pocket, recording two sacks and forcing Red Mountain to adjust its protection schemes.

The defining moment came late in the fourth quarter. With ALA-Queen Creek pushing for a potential comeback drive, Red Mountain’s defense delivered the play that changed everything. Senior Bear Fisher forced a turnover, secured the loose ball, and raced 71 yards to the end zone. That defensive score widened the gap and effectively put the game out of reach.

The victory pushes Red Mountain into a high-pressure showdown with Liberty in the next round of the Open Division playoffs. ALA-Queen Creek’s season ends sooner than the program hoped, but the foundation built this year — especially the late-season surge — sets them up well for the future.

On this night, though, it was Red Mountain’s toughness, composure, and clutch execution that kept their postseason run alive.

by Brayden Herron for Valley Media