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The American Leadership Academy football team huddles with coaches during a time out in a high school football game against Ben Lomond on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.

Brian E. Preece, Special to the Herald

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The American Leadership Academy football team (left) lines up against Ben Lomond in a high school game on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.

Brian E. Preece, Special to the Herald

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The American Leadership Academy (ALA) football program has entered uncharted waters: For the first time in the school’s 20-year history the Eagles have won four games in a row and are undefeated at this stage of the season.

ALA had to fight for it as the 2A charter school in Spanish Fork held off 3A Ben Lomond 17-13 Friday night to keep its record perfect.

The Eagle defense led the charge with two defensive stands where the visiting Scots got inside the 5-yard line.

After Ben Lomond took a 7-0 lead on a DeShawn Gordan’s run, ALA’s first score of the game came via the defense when the Eagles had Ben Lomond pinned down at the 1-yard line. This is where Dom Mendez wrestled the ball away from the Scott ball carrier and rolled into the end zone. Wesley Haston’s extra point tied up the game 7-7.

In the second quarter Ben Lomond would score again on a 7-yard run by Jaylen Miltion but Cooper DuPaix blocked the point after leaving the Scots out in front 13-7.

But then ALA’s Asher Hernandez electrified the Eagle faithful with a 60-yard reception from DuPaix. After catching the ball, Hernandez zig-zagged several times before reaching paydirt and Haston again split the uprights to put the Eagles in front 14-13.

Hernandez was quick to praise his wide receiver coach.

“In practice, thanks to Coach (Jaxon) Frank, we do drills like that all the time, dodging the guys, blocking for our boys, catching the ball,” Hernandez said. “We’re always doing that. I wasn’t thinking about it, I was just playing.”

But Hernandez wasn’t done with his heroics. In the fourth quarter, Ben Lomond was driving for a possible go-ahead touchdown. But the Eagle defense was holding firm and they forced a fourth down from the 5-yard line. This is when Hernandez came up with a big interception in the end zone.

“Our coaches told us to always play hard on the run but use that intelligence if the quarterback drops back. I saw the quarterback dropping back and I said “I got to get that’ not caring about my body, just caring about my team,” said Hernandez.

The reason Ben Lomond had to go for a touchdown in the first place was that Haston connected on a 43-yard field goal. Haston plays both offense and defense to go along with his punting and kicking duties. In fact, going into this game he was fifth in the nation in punting average. But his second quarter field goal not only put the Eagles ahead 17-13, it was the last score of the game.

“Our defense played its heart out,” ALA head coach Joe Dupaix said. “We have a lot of young sophomores (one of which is Hernandez).”

Coach DuPaix was also cognizant of the historical importance of this win but knowing more challenges lay ahead.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our guys. We’ve never started 4-0 in the season,” said Coach DuPaix. “We have a long way to go but I’m really proud of the kids and excited for them to enjoy this moment of making history.”

The ALA offense struggled at times. After Hernandez’s interception, the unit was able to run out the closing eight minutes of the final stanza.

This is where Mason Ober, who plays running back mostly but sometimes quarterback, took over the game by knocking out important yardage to move the chains. Cooper DuPaix also had an important run for a first down to keep the Eagles marching down the field.

“Mason is such a dude,” Coach DuPaix said Ober. “He can absolutely stick it up inside. Mason is a phenomenal running back. He’s a college kid. He’s going to play college ball somewhere.”

ALA (4-0) travels south to take on winless South Sevier (0-4) in Monroe. That game is Friday at 7 p.m.

ALA 17, BEN LOMOND 13

Ben Lomond 7 6 0 0 — 13

ALA 7 10 0 0 — 17

BL-Gordon run (Boyle kick)

ALA-Mendez fumble recovery in endzone (Haston kick)

BL-Milton 7 run (kick failed)

ALA-Hernandez 60 pass from DuPaix (Haston kick)

ALA-Haston 43 FG