Scottsdale overcame the loss of its starting quarterback Monday, and the Firebirds beat the Oak Grove (California) Roughriders in the first round of the AYF Midget National Championships in Orlando.

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Sean Brophy was knocked out of the game midway through the second quarter, with the Firebirds clinging to an 18-6 lead. Sean Roberton stepped in and guided Scottsdale with strong leadership and timely passes.

“Sean (Roberton) was our starting quarterback the last two seasons,” Birds coach Matt Frazier said. “He has humbly accepted his role this year and stepped up today. I couldn't be happier for him. He's a special kid.”

The Firebirds got a quick start, scoring on a 70-yard pass from Brophy to Adarian Limbs on just the second play from scrimmage. Limbs caught the ball in the right flat and weaved his way down the sideline for the score. Blake Hutchings' conversion kick made it 8-0.

Scottsdale scored again on their second possession. The Firebirds marched 61 yards in nine plays. Brophy capped the drive with a 7-yard TD pass to Hutchings, who again converted the PAT kick for a 16-0 lead.

The Birds gained 126 yards in the first quarter, but just when it looked like they were going to run away with the game, the Roughriders came storming back. They scored on a 70-yard pass on the second play of the second quarter, then intercepted recovered a fumble on the kickoff. They also had a 66-yard punt return called back in the quarter and knocked Brophy out of the game.

The Firebirds' defense had two takeaways before half, however. J.C Nephew hit the Oak Grove quarterback just as he threw, and Danny Jackson picked off the errant pass. Jack Haddon covered a fumble later in the quarter.

Scottsdale scored on a gutsy call on the last play of the half. Facing a fourth and 33, Roberton hit Haddon with a 53-yard TD, and Hutchings' conversion made it 24-8 at intermission.

The Roughriders started the second half with a 16-play drive that consumed 8:08 of the quarter. They marched to the Scottsdale 42 before Nephew recorded back-to-back sacks to stop the Californians.

A back-and-forth fourth quarter featured an interception by Culkes Rose near midfield at the 2:18 mark. The shoestring catch led to a three-play, 81-yard scoring drive to ice the game. The final score came on a 78-yard pass play from Roberton to Limbs. Jake Killeen ended the game with a sack.

Brophy suffered a mild concussion and sat on the Birds' bench huddled under a blanket to protect himself from the wind and cold. His status for the rest of the tournament is undetermined.