Friday night’s football game between Mountain View and Mesa began with an 18-play drive (mostly on the ground) by the Toros that didn’t result in points. It ended with a defensive stop on a two-point conversion, which also didn’t result in points. In between, the Toros mainly used their run game to stake out a lead and then hold on for a 21-19 win in an old-school rivalry.
Mountain View (3-2 #9 in 6A) ran 68 plays (46 of them runs) compared to just 46 for Mesa (2-3 #10 in 6A). It was all part of the game plan to keep the talented Anetema brothers off the field as much as possible.
“Our game plan was to be ground-and-pound and be physical,” Mountain View Head Coach Andy Litten said. “Hats off to them, they battled their tails off. I’m very proud of our kids. I knew we had it in us.”
Trailing 21-13 with just over three minutes remaining, Mesa drove from its own 33-yard line and scored a touchdown (Boogie Anetema to Kingston Anetema) with just 28 seconds to go. Forced to go for two and attempt to tie the game, quarterback Boogie Anetema rolled right, was looking for a receiver, and then tried to run around the edge. He was stopped one yard short.
The victory continues the dominance in this series for Mountain View. How much so? It’s the 29th consecutive win for the Toros in a series that dates back to 1978. Mesa has not emerged victorious against the Toros since 1994.
5 players that stood out
Mountain View QB Brayden Merwin
In his first year as the starter, Merwin is a good fit for the run game the Toros like to employ (which he is also a part of). Still, he can get opportunities to pick on defenses through the air. Merwin had a good connection with junior receiver Te’o Weeks. The duo had completions of 15, 11, 25, and 20 yards all in the second half. There are plenty of designed runs for Merwin (5-11, 190). He finished the night with 17 carries for 60 yards, including a one-yard touchdown plunge, and was only sacked twice. He already has a pair of 100-yard efforts on the ground this year. Merwin also carries a 3.70 GPA.
Mountain View S Kash Skousen
The senior dove and made a great catch for an interception to thwart a Mesa drive that was approaching the red zone in the fourth quarter. It was Skousen’s second pick of the year. His speed is a weapon (clocked at 4.5 in the 40 at a Weber State camp last summer) not just in the secondary, but on special teams. He gave the Toros field position to start a drive on Mesa’s side of the field after a 57-yard kickoff return. At the halfway point of the season, Skousen has already broken two punt returns for touchdowns.
Mountain View RB Coy Bodily
The senior was a workhorse for the Toros. Bodily (pictured at the top of the article) toted the rock a total of 25 times while grinding out 68 yards and a touchdown. His tough run for three yards in the second quarter opened up the scoring. Bodily isn’t the biggest of backs (5-8, 165), but his athleticism as a sprinter on the track team helps with his endurance in what is primarily a one-back offense. His older brother Reese, who is about the same size, was the Toros’ running back on the team that made the 2024 6A State Championship game.
Mesa QB Kane “Boogie” Anetema
The Jackrabbits’ 6-3, 195-pound senior quarterback has plenty of experience. He was a starter in California for two years before moving to Arizona midway through last season. At the time of his second drive, Mountain View had run 26 plays compared to just three for the Jackrabbits. That possession would fare much better as Anetema connected with Izzy Valenzuela for an 85-yard play (that started at the Mesa 5-yard line). He had three touchdown passes (to give him 10 for the season) along with 344 yards. Two of those TDs went to his brother, Kingston.
Mesa WR/DB Kingston Anetema
Arizona State coaches were on hand to see the athlete who committed to the Sun Devils back in June. Anetema is a three-star player with strong hands and the ability to create separation. He had eight catches for 122 yards and a pair of touchdowns, none bigger than the catch to put the Jackrabbits in a position to tie the game in the final minute. Kingston doesn’t just play offense either. He made the tackle to stop the Toros on fourth down on their first possession (one of his seven tackles) and intercepted a pass in the third quarter. Even with the move to another state, he has been able to maintain his academics (3.80 weighted GPA). Not even a halftime break for Anetema. It was during the intermission that he was crowned Homecoming King.
5 (non-scoring) plays that made a difference
- On Mountain View’s initial possession, the Toros had the ball for more than eight minutes and faced a fourth-and-goal at the 2-yard line. Mesa was able to make the stop on downs to keep the Toros off the scoreboard.
- On its very next drive, Mountain View had another fourth down (this time fourth-and-three) from the Mesa 12-yard line. Coy Bodily gained six yards and there was a facemask call against the Jackrabbits that moved the ball three yards closer (half the distance). This time, the Toros cashed it in for six.
- Trailing 14-7 late in the first half, Mesa reached the Toros’ 25-yard line. An interception by Pace Fischbeck ended the threat keeping the lead for Mountain View going into intermission.
- Still trailing 14-7, Mesa completed a scoring pass for 43 yards. However, the referee thought a spike by Lance Briggs Jr. was a little too excessive and quickly pulled out the penalty flag. Mountain View wisely opted to have the penalty assessed on the extra point (as opposed to the kickoff). With a now-35-yard PAT attempt, the kick was no good. That missing point not only had an immediate effect, it also forced the Jackrabbits to go for two on their next score.
- Leading 21-13, Mountain View had a fourth-and-13 from the Mesa 23-yard line. Deciding that a 40-yard field goal was out of range, the Toros went for it. Brayden Merwin scrambled, then tried to run and only got four yards giving Mesa one last shot.
5 key stats
- In the first quarter, Mountain View outgained the Jackrabbits 100-9, but the game was still scoreless.
- An 85-yard completion got Mesa going. The Jackrabbits amassed 152 yards of offense in the second quarter.
- Mountain View only averaged 3.1 yards per carry, but the Toros kept at it with 46 rushing attempts.
- Boogie Anetema threw for 334 yards, his most since November of his sophomore year at North HS in Torrance, Calif.
- Mesa had two 100-yard receivers with Kingston Anetema (122) and Izzy Valenzuela (107).
Video highlight
Courtesy of the Mountain View Twitter account @MVToro_Football, here’s a look at the final defensive stop on Mesa’s two-point conversion attempt. Ivan Valenzuela, Easton Walker, and Preston Patterson all converged to make the tackle at the 1-yard line.
Let’s goooo‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/rSJEo7F5UV
— Toro Nation (@MVToro_Football) September 26, 2026
Toros 21, Jackrabbits 19
Mt View. . . . . 0 14 7 0 – 21
Mesa. . . . . . . . 0 7 6 6 – 19
First Quarter
No Scoring
Second Quarter
MV: Coy Bodily 3 yard run (kick failed), 9:11, 6-0
Mesa: Kingston Anetema 15 yard pass from Boogie Anetema (Cage Moore kick), 6:23, 6-7
MV: Luke Whisenant 1 yard run (Brayden Merwin run), 2:44, 14-7
Third Quarter
Mesa: Lance Briggs Jr. 43 yard pass from Boogie Anetema (kick failed), 3:58, 14-13
MV: Merwin 1 yard run (Reilly Mason kick), 2:02, 21-13
Fourth Quarter
Mesa: Kingston Anetema 22 yard pass from Boogie Anetema (run failed), 0:28, 21-19
Team Statistics
First Downs – MV: 16, Mesa: 14. Rushes-Yards – MV: 46-144, Mesa: 20-93. Comp-Att-Int – MV: 13-22-1, Mesa: 17-26-2. Passing Yards – MV: 156, Mesa: 334. Total Yards – MV: 300, Mesa: 427. Fumbles Lost – MV: 0, Mesa 1. Penalties-Yards – MV: 7-100, Mesa: 12-97.
Individual Leaders
Passing – MV: Merwin 13-22-1, 156 yards, Mesa – B Anetema 17-26-2, 334 yards.
Rushing – MV: Bodily 25-68, Merwin 17-60, Mesa: Arnett 18-75.
Receiving – MV: Weeks 7-102, Mesa: K Anetema 8-122, Valenzuela 3-107.
5 people I talked to after the game
Mountain View RB Coy Bodily on his long-time relationship with Toro football: “I love Mountain View football. That’s all I do. Mountain View football is my life. I’ve been coming here since I was nine. It’s Toro culture through and through.”
Mesa Head Coach Ryan Felker: “We did a great job on that last drive. Hats off to Mountain View, they shortened the game on us (three first-half possessions). Our defense played great in the second half. I’m proud of all these kids. We’ve had a real tough schedule up to this point. It’s only going to make us better.”
Mountain View QB Brayden Merwin on his comfort level after five varsity starts: “Having a guy like (WR) Te’o Weeks makes it easier. He’s a straight dog. Having trust in my system. (Assistant) Coach (Max) Hall and Coach Litten setting everything up for me.”
Mountain View CB Pace Fischbeck on the rivalry with Mesa: “It’s everything. Everyone comes at it full hype. Everyone waits for this game all year.”
Mountain View Head Coach Andy Litten on the play of his special teams: “Our special teams won the game. It’s one of these things that it’s very pleasing when your scheme works and you did your job. I’m proud of our special teams.”
Next week
Mesa (2-3) will stay at home next Friday and host Salpointe (2-3) in the last game before its bye week. The Lancers dropped their third straight game on Friday against Highland (21-13). This will be the first of three consecutive trips to the Valley (in four weeks) for the only 6A school in Tucson. Salpointe Catholic will play four of its last five on the road. The entire September slate was at home for the Lancers and they went 1-3. It’s a very good possibility that this will be the last season in 6A for SCHS. Allowing the private school to play in a Tucson-based region would probably be best for all parties.
Mountain View (3-2) also has one more game before its bye and the Toros will host Queen Creek (2-3) next Friday. The Bulldogs are coming off a big win at O’Connor (24-21) which ended a three-game losing streak. This is the first year for Head Coach Steve Huber, who Litten said he is good friends with. Prior to his hire at Queen Creek, Huber was the defensive coordinator at Chandler. Junior quarterback Sawyer Hales had two more touchdown passes against the Eagles to bring his total to nine for the season.
