Gilbert Highland coach Brock Farrel was all smiles on the sideline.

Friday night’s game at Queen Creek was the hard-hitting, turnover circus he’d been hoping for.

He knew his defense, which has forced turnovers and negative plays all season, could cause problems for Queen Creek and pro-style quarterback Devin Larsen. He figured Highland’s balanced offense and kicker Austin McNamara could handle things from there. They just needed to execute. 

That’s exactly what happened. Highland (8-1) put all of 6A on notice with a 38-7 win.

It started on Queen Creek’s first pass attempt of the game. Larsen evaded Highland’s pass rush – a unit that entered Friday’s game with 22 sacks on the season – and found a receiver over the middle, but the ball was immediately fumbled and picked up by linebacker Griffin Nielson in Highland territory. McNamara split the uprights to put his team up 3-0 early.

Queen Creek turned the ball over two more times in the first half – a Dylan Borja fumble and a Larsen interception. 

Thanks to those turnovers and good field position throughout the game, Highland’s offense had the manageable task of just needing to make a few plays to secure the win. 

On a fake sweep, quarterback Kaleb Herbert found Noah Burdick, his favorite receiver, for a 35-yard touchdown. Then, after the Larsen interception, Highland’s Kohner Cullimore scored a 1-yard touchdown. Highland took a 17-7 lead into halftime.

Early in the second half Herbert hit Burdick again, this time on a quick slant that turned into a 58-yard touchdown.

Up 17, Highland’s defense continued to bring the heat. Farrel and his coaching staff called delayed blitzes all game, making life difficult for Larsen.

“(Larsen) is really good at reading coverages and staying in the pocket, so we really tried to confuse their offensive line,” linebacker Danny Wood said.  “We thought if we got late pressure and made him think the coverage was still there, we could get to him. It worked.”

Wood forced a fumble and sacked Larsen.

Queen Creek’s fourth and final turnover of the game came in the final minutes of the game. Down 24-7, Larsen threw an interception over the middle to Cullimore.

Larsen was eventually knocked out of the game with what he said was a dislocated shoulder.

“I would say this was our best defensive game of the season,” Farrel said. “We caused turnovers, got multiple sacks and took their quarterback out of the game with just good physical football. Our guys played awesome.”

The dominant win not only places Highland at the top of the 6A Central standings, it cements the Hawks as legitimate state title contenders. 

“We want a state championship,” Wood said. “Everyone here is buying in. If we play with this level of passion, we’ll be tough to stop.”  

Up next

Queen Creek (7-2) has a showdown with 6A Central contender Phoenix Desert Vista, while Highland will host Mesa Desert Ridge to wrap up its regular season. Both games are Friday at 7 p.m.

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