We came out against a very good Fountain Hills team and didn't play our best game, but it was still enough to eke out a victory.

We won it with possession, superior forward play and grit at the very end. Our conditioning really paid off.

I don't have anyone on this team who works much harder than Cesar - ever. When he controls the midfield, we control the game. He was right there at the right time. If we want to talk about destiny for the season - that was it right there.

To receive that accolade as a coach makes me feel good, but I realize I wouldn't have gotten that recognition without the strong kids, good parents and support from our school board and administration.

The fact that our kids can get statewide recognition from a small school in a new program bodes well for our future success. It sets the bar pretty high for us to maintain that level of competition, and I know it's something we can build on.

That was all it took to get a spark going and let our kids know that this game wasn't over and we were still in it.