Corona Del Sol Survives Late ALA-Queen Creek Push, Wins 35-28

By: Deion Trotter

The Corona Del Sol Aztecs continued their strong 2026 campaign Friday night, holding off ALA-Queen Creek 35-28 in a game that came down to the final minutes.

The victory improves Corona Del Sol to 5-1 on the season, giving the Aztecs their third consecutive win. It is another major step forward for a program that was in a very different position at this point last season. Through six games in 2025, Corona Del Sol was 2-4. This season, the Aztecs have flipped that record and established themselves as one of the stronger teams in their division.

Senior quarterback Luke Farrell once again led the way offensively. Farrell finished with 324 passing yards and three passing touchdowns, while also adding 44 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.

Farrell found senior wide receiver Keegan Pederson for two of those touchdowns. Pederson also contributed several other receptions throughout the night, continuing to give the Aztecs a reliable option in the passing game.

The connection between Farrell and Pederson has become a major part of Corona’s offense, but their chemistry goes beyond football. The two have been best friends for the last five years, making their connection on the field even more meaningful.

“It’s a brotherly connection we’ve been best friends for the last 5 years and just getting the chance to be on the field together is all we need to show people that special connection that we have built,” Pederson said.

C/O ’27 WR Hugo Chamberlain also played an important role in the passing game, recording a receiving touchdown along with several key receptions that helped keep drives alive. Chamberlain credited his preparation and focus heading into the matchup as key factors in his performance.

“My mindset going into the game was to trust my preparation, set the tone early,” Chamberlain said.

Another major piece of the offense was Josiah Smith, who consistently made plays downfield. Smith immediately made an impact on the opening drive with a reception of more than 60 yards. Later in the game, Smith came up with another huge reception, making a play over multiple defenders for roughly 50-60 yards and putting the Aztecs in position to attack the red zone.

While the offense produced 35 points, Corona’s defense was just as important in securing the win.

C/O ’27 ATH Riddik Jerdee had a standout defensive performance, recording more than 15 tackles and an interception. His ability to read the opposing offense and anticipate plays helped him stay around the football throughout the night.

“Film study, more times than not I knew where the play was going,” Jerdee said when asked what allowed him to make so many plays defensively.

C/O ’27 OLB Rowan Burd also came up huge with an interception and a fumble recovery, C/O ‘27 CB Matthew Moncibaez also came up with a interception, while C/O ’27 LB Hill Hallback added another important fumble recovery for the Aztecs.

The Corona defense consistently pressured ALA-Queen Creek’s offense, finishing with three or more sacks. The Aztecs also forced multiple turnovers throughout the night, recording three interceptions and three forced fumbles, with two fumble recoveries.

But ALA-Queen Creek refused to let the game slip away quietly.

With roughly three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, ALA-Queen Creek scored to tie the game at 28-28, suddenly putting the Aztecs in a pressure-filled situation.

Then came one of the biggest plays of the night.

C/O ’28 WR Treyven Shuman received the ensuing kickoff and broke loose for an 85-yard return, putting Corona deep in ALA-Queen Creek territory and immediately giving the Aztecs an opportunity to retake the lead.

A few plays later, C/O ’28 RB Cortez Young finished the drive with a touchdown, his first of the game, putting Corona back ahead 35-28.

ALA-Queen Creek got the ball back with roughly two minutes remaining and had one final opportunity to tie the game.

That’s when Corona’s defense delivered once again.

C/O ’28 CB Trayzell Woods came up with a crucial pass breakup to stop an ALA-Queen Creek opportunity. On the following sequence, Rowan Burd secured his second interception of the night, effectively sealing the Aztecs’ 35-28 victory.

The win represents a significant change from where Corona Del Sol was at this point last season.

After sitting at 2-4 through six games in 2025, the Aztecs are now 5-1 through six games in 2026. The team has put itself in a much stronger position heading into the final stretch of the regular season.

For Farrell, the win also gives the Aztecs confidence as they prepare for the final four games of the regular season.

“A win like last night gives our team a lot of confidence, especially because it was a game we knew we needed to win. With the goals we have set as a team, getting that win was important. Now, we’re in a good position to continue building momentum and accomplishing what we set out to do,” Farrell said.

Now, Corona enters the second half of its schedule with its sights set on finishing the season strong.

The Aztecs’ next game will be against Desert Ridge on October 15 at 7 p.m. before returning home to face Queen Creek on October 23. Corona will then travel to Casteel on October 30 before closing out the regular season against Desert Vista.

With a 5-1 record and four games remaining, the Aztecs have already put themselves in a much better position than they were in a year ago.

The 2025 Aztecs were trying to find their identity. The 2026 Aztecs are trying to finish the job.