Glendale, Ariz.- After trailing going into the fourth quarter, Arizona Christian rallied for a Homecoming win over Simpson to end their season on a rainy and cloudy Saturday afternoon.  The Firestorm needed every bit of their season high scoring to beat the Red Hawks.

The ground game was in full effect as the Firestorm produced a season high 284 yards running the ball with Ty Cole producing a season high 123 of those yards.  Not to be out done, the passing attack accounted for 210 yards.  William Galvan threw two completions, caught four receptions, and rushed six times.

Defensively, Arizona Christian forced two turnovers including a pick six for James Mcelhenny to open the scoring.  Charles Mason added a fumble recovery.

Game Info

• Game score: Arizona Christian - 46, Simpson (CA) - 39
• Records: Arizona Christian- 2-8, 1-5 Frontier, Simpson (CA) - 0-10, 0-6 Frontier
• Location:  ACU Football Field, Arizona Christian University, Glendale, AZ

Offensive Stars

• Cole - 15 carries, 123 rushing , 2 rushing TD
• Josh Bell - 12-17, 145 yards passing, TD, 69 yards rushing, TD
• Galvan - 65 yards passing, 64 receiving yards, TD, 12 yards rushing
• Jordyn Bowers - rushing TD

Defensive Stars

• Sebastian Lopez - 9 tackles
• Kellen Palm - 8 tackles
• Lealofi Chanwong - 8 tackles
• Javier Fernandez, Jr. - 8 tackles
• Mason - 7 tackles, fumble recovery
• Mcelhenny - 4 tackles, pick six INT

Inside The Numbers

• On the first passing attempt of the game McElhenny jumped the route and took the interception 42 yards to the house
• Simpson kicked a field goal on the first play of the second quarter
• Bell called his own number and ran 44 yards down the left sideline for a TD
• On the next ACU possession, Bowers found daylight on the right side and raced into the end zone for his first ACU TD 
• SU scored and converted a two point conversion before Franklin Wilcox nailed a 40 yard field goal as time expired in the half
• At the break, quarterback Bell was the top ACU rusher (65 yards) and and running back Galvan was lead ACU passer (65 yards)
• Arizona Christian received the kickoff to start the second half and three plays later Cole scampered 69 to pay dirt
• Simpson countered with a 60 yard TD run of their own and the next two touchdowns for a 32-31 lead
• ACU grabbed the lead back on a Bell-to-Galvan connection
• Cole scored his second TD of the game which proved to be the game winner
• The Red Hawks drove 75 yards to get within one score but needed six minutes to reach the end zone
• The Firestorm milked the final 3:30 to lock up the win
• First win for the Firestorm where they trailed entering the fourth quarter since 2023

Thoughts from Coach Bowen
"It was a great day to be a Firestorm.  It is always awesome when you can send off your seniors with the win, and your underclassmen have something to build on for next year.  I thought our guys played with a great deal of intensity and emotion today and they played for each other.  It was a special day… Roll Storm!"

Up Next
The season comes to a conclusion for the Firestorm.