The Classical Academy remixed a sports cliché and have followed it admirably this season.

TCA coach Dale Meyerrose said the team’s mantra this year is “the most important play is the next one.” In their 13-0 victory at Air Academy on Thursday night, 4A’s top-ranked team executed that phrase on the Kadets’ first possession of the second half.

“We have a mentality of, if we make a mistake, we’re going to learn from it,” Meyerrose said. “We can’t change a mistake, but we can change how we react to it and what we do next. Our defense did that. They gave up a couple of big plays, but they didn’t give up a score. They were resilient and it’s good to see that ethos within our team.”

The Titans, who built a 13-0 lead in the first half, failed to score on their first possession of the third quarter and punted. Madelyn Mork’s coffin-corner kick pinned the Kadets (2-2) near their own goal line that forced Air Academy’s offense to find a big play.

On their first play of the ensuing drive, the Kadets offense clicked as freshman quarterback Nadia Anderson connected with Edyn Griffis, who bolted down the Kadets’ sideline. Griffis nearly scored, but Reese Blackwood chased down Griffis and snatched her flags before the sophomore reached the end zone.

The Kadets needed another jolt to cut into the Titans’ lead and earn their first score of the game. But the Titans (6-1) shuttered those plans.

Blackwood had a pass break up, Reagan Harter knocked down a throw to the end zone and Jerrica Thompson nearly picked off a pass. On fourth down, the Kadets’ run play stalled short of the end zone and they turned it over on downs.

“We all play a part in the defense, so if one of us messes up we hold each other accountable and help each other with those mistakes,” Blackwood said. “The energy got up after we got those pulls because we were encouraging each other. … We know where we were last year and we know other teams will be coming for us. This has been grit and we all want it. I’d want to get it for Kelsey because she’s important to me.”

“Kelsey” being the Titans’ junior quarterback Kelsey Peterson. After her first year as the Titans QB, Peterson said she has a stronger grasp of the offense and understands how to read defenses better.

As a sophomore, Peterson finished 325-for-551 passing with 53 touchdowns, 33 interceptions and 3,654 yards. Prior to the Titans’ tilt with the Kadets, Peterson was 115-for-223 passing with 1,054 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

The junior’s confidence and composure oozed as she scanned the field, avoided any rushers who flew her way while Peterson located her receivers. Peterson threw for touchdowns in the first and second quarters and both came on third-down plays.

Peterson’s first strike, a 40-yard bomb to Brooklyn Blair, gave the Titans a 6-0 lead with 6:14 left in the first. Her second went to Harter on a 40-yard completion to build a 13-0 lead with 7:48 left in the first half.

“I learned a lot from last year including what worked and what I need to work on,” Peterson said. “I’ve gotten better at reading defenses pre-snap and applying what I saw. … I have a lot of trust in my receivers and I know I don’t have to make a perfect throw and that gives me confidence to throw it. My receivers will do everything they can to get it.”

While the Titans appreciate their spot atop the Colorado High School Activities Association’s 4A rankings and own a near-perfect record, they know what they’re aiming for this year and they welcome the target on their backs.

“Last year, it was a shock every game to win,” Peterson said. “This year, there are more expectations. We were in the state championship last year and teams are coming in thinking, ‘If we beat this team, we can beat anybody.’ We’re confident in ourselves and have to go into every game wanting to win because other teams are coming for us and we have to want it more than them.”