The South East Valley Bulldogs pulled off a dramatic 16-8, overtime win Saturday over the Scottsdale Firebirds Saturday in the Phoenix AYF Junior Midget division championship at Paradise Valley High School.

(Game photos, click here).

The third-ranked Firebirds scored with a little over two minutes remaining in the first quarter. Kurtis Shughart bounced off the pile and found his way to the end zone from 15 yards out to cap a seven-play drive.

It wasn't until the end of the third quarter before the Bulldogs leveled the score with a 32-yard, 10-play drive that included a 20-yard third-down conversion. The scoring play came at the hands of Blake Monty on a fourth-and-goal from the half-yard line, making it 8-8.

The Bulldogs continued the offensive onslaught late in the fourth quarter and marched from their own 30 to inside the Firebird 30 before the Scottsdale defense recovered a fumble at the 9 to force overtime.

The Bulldogs took possession first in extra time and scored on third down. Quarterback Dalton Thorpe fought through the pile for the score, and a successful point-after kick put the Bulldogs up 16-8.

On the Birds’ third-down attempt, Barker Bridger broke through the Firebird offensive line and forced a throw into tight coverage, allowing Jake Otting-Crandall to intercept the pass, securing the win for the Bulldogs.