Kenji Ito is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Phoenix Christian for AZPreps365.com. 

Phoenix Christian ended their season shut out at home by Payson, 42-0, on Friday.

It was Senior Night for the Cougars (1-9), whose seven seniors were honored during halftime. At the end of the game, all the seniors gave a speech during the postgame huddle. Head coach Dan Fort had a special message for all of them.

“I love them. I thank God for them, and I’m grateful for all they have put into it,” Fort said. “I thank them for their service to the program and their inspiration to all the kids that are coming behind them.”

The Longhorns' (7-3) senior quarterback and dual threat Dexter Waterman spoiled the Cougars' season finale night. Waterman rushed for 103 yards, threw for 79, had four touchdowns.

Phoenix Christian senior running back and linebacker Levi Rhynard contributed on the defensive and special teams side of the ball. He brought the kickoff to the 45-yard line before the third possession and at the end of the 1st half. Rhynard also recorded a couple of tackles for loss. After his final game, he reflected on what is most important and his final year.

“It’s a little emotional, but I’m glad because I feel like I had fun and a great season, and that made me happy,” Rhynard said. “I got to glorify God, and that made me happy, too, because that’s my main purpose to be here.”

His brother and wide receiver Frank Rhynard does not know how to feel yet about his older brother leaving.

“It’s going to be different playing next year, I don’t know. I think it will hit me next year,” Frank said.

Even though the emotions were high, Frank was disappointed in his performance. He had four catches for 21 yards. With the Cougars trailing by six possessions, Frank fell short of a career milestone but broke a team record.

“On the bright side, I did set the record for most receptions in a year, which I guess is pretty good,” Frank said. 

Frank finished the year with 52 receptions and 672 yards (both team highs) and one TD.

Waterman opened the first quarter with a 54-yard rushing TD. He then took it in by himself for a one-yard TD. In the second quarter, Waterman threw a 23-yard TD pass to senior WR Wyatt Ashton and a seven-yard TD to junior WR Sergio Madrid.

Also, in the second quarter, Ashton threw a 35-yard TD on a trick play to extend the lead for the Longhorns. To open the second half, Ashton returned the kickoff 90 yards for a TD.

Even though the Cougars defense forced two fumbles, the offense could not capitalize. Junior QB Xavier Sandoval had very little time in the pocket and was sacked multiple times. Fort mentioned what the team has to improve on for next season.

“It’s going to come down to blocking and tackling, and that’s the name of the game,” Fort said. “We’ve got to win some of those matchups one-on-one when a team plays man-to-man, and that just comes with age and experience. ...

“I look forward to the off-season where these guys have a chance to improve athletically, and they have a chance to grow up a little bit."