LAFAYETTE — Every time Monarch’s defense needed stop on Friday night, it got one.

Right to the very end.

After chewing on a nightmare second-round ending from last year’s playoffs, the Coyotes got the finish they wanted in a 14-7 overtime win over No. 10 Riverdale Ridge at Spangenberg Field.

Quarterback Nico Rizzello scored first in overtime and the Coyotes dazzling defense stopped Riverdale Ridge on downs to advance to the 4A quarterfinals. They’ll face the winner of No. 2 Montrose and No. 15 Frederick next week.

A year ago, the Coyotes’ turnaround season ended in a thud after they let a 10-point lead slip away in the last 3 minutes on the road at Mesa Ridge.

But that was in the past.

After allowing Riverdale Ridge a long touchdown throw in the opening quarter of this year’s second

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