When things weren’t clicking for Cactus Shadow’s offense, the defense was there to make plays when the Falcons needed them the most, including the last play of the game.
With under 30 seconds left to go, Chaparral was forced to throw up a prayer. That prayer wouldn’t be answered as Cactus Shadows senior defensive back James Wade came down with an interception to seal the Falcons’ win over the Firebirds, 21-14.
“I think we called (the defense) out a couple of weeks ago after the Horizon game,” Cactus Shadows head coach Chris Dixon said. “We were just tired, like, ‘It’s time for y’all to play. We need y’all to come alive,’ and I think they’re coming alive at the right time.”
In addition to defense “coming alive”, senior quarterback Donivan Dixon led the team offensively, accounting for two of the team’s three touchdowns and earning the Fiesta Bowl Player of the Game.
“I always want to just win,” Donivan Dixon said. “That’s been my main thing forever. So I’m just trying to make the best play I can, no matter what it is, throwing the ball, running the ball, that’s just trying to make the best play.”
Cactus Shadows’ final game of the regular season is next Friday night against Tucson, a game in which Chris Dixon said the team will have to be in “rhythm.”
“I think we had some big plays tonight, we just didn’t finish,” Chris Dixon said. “I mean, I think we had at least four or five plays over 40 yards, we just didn’t finish in the red zone, and so going back to film and breaking that down and how we could be a better red zone team, I think it’s gonna be most important going into the playoffs, because we’re giving ourselves chances to score.”
Box Score
NOTE: View any scoring highlight by clicking on the corresponding bullet point.
First Quarter
Second Quarter
- 2029 QB Ryan Trocki (Chaparral) pass complete to 2027 RB Jayce Wilson (Chaparral) for an 11-yard touchdown. Extra point is good. (7-7, 9:15)
- 2026 QB Donivan Dixon (Cactus Shadows) pass complete to 2026 WR Trey Peck (Cactus Shadows) for a 4-yard touchdown. (14-7, 6:31)
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
- 2029 QB Ryan Trocki (Chaparral) pass complete to 2026 WR Max Mangini (Chaparral) for a 10-yard touchdown. (21-14, 2:58)
| TEAM | 1ST QTR | 2ND QTR | 3RD QTR | 4TH QTR | FINAL |
| Cactus Shadows | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
| Chaparral | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
The Standouts
2026 Cactus Shadows Quarterback Donivan Dixon
Dixon earning the Fiesta Bowl Player of the Game belt is really all that needs to be said about the performance he put on Thursday night. While he might not have put up the most significant numbers, it was evident that the NAU commit was going to do whatever it took for his team to win. Dixon had to make the most out of several low snaps that immediately gave Chaparral’s edge rushers an advantage from both sides. More often than not, Dixon was able to make a positive play out of an otherwise treacherous situation. In addition, Dixon continues to put his body on the line on every single play, but his toughness shows.
Key Plays
- With the ball on the Chaparral 39-yard line, Dixon launched a 31-yard pass on second-and-10 to senior wide receiver Trey Peck to set up Cactus Shadows’ first touchdown of the game.
- Cactus Shadows fumbled on its second offensive drive of the game, and it was recovered by Chaparral junior defensive lineman Jake Nicholas, which gave Chaparral good field position and led the Firebirds to score their first touchdown of the game.
- Leading a very long and methodical drive down the field in the second half, Dixon used his legs to pick up 26 yards and put the Falcons in good field position to eventually convert on fourth down inside the 10-yard line by scoring a touchdown.
Sound Off
Cactus Shadows head coach Chris Dixon on the growth of 2026 defensive back James Wade: “James has grown a lot this season. I think him having a little bit of going both ways kind of got him motored and ready to go… I just think as a whole, our defense has been playing better.”
Cactus Shadows head coach Chris Dixon on 2026 quarterback Donivan Dixon’s ability to extend plays: “We could have easily gave up to two safeties tonight if he wasn’t athletic. So he gets you out of bad things like that. It gets you out of bad calls. You know what I mean? But I mean, sometimes I think he overuses his athleticism, which I think when you see him just drop and throw, I thought he did a really good job of getting our receivers going early in the game and then later on.”
Leave a Reply