Klipper Automotive Player of the Week: Nicholas Horrocks | News

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – Mountain View Football is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

The 6-4 Mountain Lions secured their spot with a 34-27 upset win over Ironwood Ridge. Senior running back Nicholas Horrocks played a key part in that victory, earning him Klipper Automotive Player of the Week honors. 

Horrocks ran all over Ironwood Ridge. The senior had 26 carries for 153 yards and two touchdowns. That includes the game-winning touchdown with eight seconds left in the fourth quarter. 

“I was happy to know our season wasn’t going to be over,” he said. “It was fun seeing everyone all excited on the sidelines.”

That win helped the Mountain Lions lock up the 13-seed in the 5A state playoffs, ending a five-year postseason drought.

“I’ve been playing varsity for three years now,” Horrocks said. “We’ve been going 4-6. Knowing that we stopped the drought my senior year and we get to play in the playoffs. That’s pretty exciting.”

Horrocks started his varsity career on defense as an outside linebacker. He quickly moved to offense. 

“I told Coach Wolf that we needed to look at him as a running back because he has a special athleticism,” Head Coach Matt Johnson said. “He’s also a state champion javelin thrower.”

Horrocks brings that athleticism, physicality and toughness to every play.

“I always want to go score and not let people tackle me,” Horrocks said. “Just keep running.”

“Some people try to avoid the tackle, Nick doesn’t try to avoid the tackle,” Johnson said. “He is very physical. Probably comes from that linebacker experience. He tends to wear people out as the game goes on.”

Horrocks and the 13-seed Mountain Lions travel to play 4-seed Cactus in Phoenix Friday at 7 p.m.