Sierra Vista Mountain Lions football team’s regular season concluded on Friday, October 20, 2023.  The Mountain Lions competed against Green Valley High School in their last game and unfortunately lost 26-13, forfeiting the home advantage for the first playoff game against Green Valley. 

The Mountain Lions ended the regular season with a 4-4 record and a 2-3 record in their division, Class 5A Division II South. Vista’s new football coach, Coach Carlson, says, “Our plan to prepare for the playoffs is to focus on what was most successful for us during the regular season. We have some great players, and the plan is to put them in situations where they can shine.”  Vista’s coaching department planned not to make any drastic changes to the practices in the days before playoffs.

  Throughout the season, the Mountain Lions’ losses were close in score. Carlson explains, “We aren’t changing much of our routine. All of the games we lost were close, so we are doing the right things, we just need to eliminate mistakes as much as possible. Trying to do too much can often lead to trouble.” Players and coaches worked throughout the season and went into the playoffs trying to eliminate mistakes that cost them games in the past. 

On Thursday, October 26, 2023, Sierra Vista played in the first round of playoffs against Green Valley High School. Unfortunately, Vista lost to Green Valley in overtime; the final score was 39-40. Senior Safety Isaiah James, (31) said, “I am disappointed that we didn’t get farther in the playoffs, but I’m glad that I got to spend my last season with the best team.”

During the season, Coach Carlson and the athletes were determined to get to the playoffs. Carlson said, “By making sure the team knows how proud we are of them so far, and how everything we have been working for is right in front of them.”  Coach Carlson reiterated that the players should be proud of themselves for the work they put in throughout the season.