This is what we learned in week 6

There were defensive statements, offensive bursts and an open division that took shape as the big schools completed the first half of the season and the small schools turned things around. Here's a look back at the highlights of Week 6 of the high school football season as the stakes continue to get higher.

What we learned

Gilbert Highland (5-0) has a chance to compete over a six-day period. After defeating Chandler 20-14 on Friday night, they can make a statement in a monster showdown against Mesa Red Mountain 5-0 on Thursday night. Highland's typically stout defense will face an explosive Red Mountain offense that dominated Gilbert Williams Field 52-28 on Friday. Williams Field was without starting quarterback Kody Guy, who suffered an injury in last week's game. But it probably wouldn't have mattered. Williams Field simply couldn't stop a Red Mountain attack with so many weapons, led by quarterback Simon Lopez. This is a brutal stretch for Red Mountain, which also has 5-0 ALA Queen Creek, Queen Creek, 5-0 Chandler Hamilton and 4-1 Mesa Mountain View on its schedule. Red Mountain and Highland both look like Open teams, but have different styles of getting there.

Highland's defense completely derailed Chandler's offense for most of the game. Chandler put together a good ride. He failed to hit a receiver that would have given the Wolves the lead in the final quarter. But the Wolves' defense is good enough to carry them into the Open. Highland quarterback Kalen Fisher has shown great accuracy in his passes this year. He is agile enough to extend plays and run for first downs. He has a tremendous offensive line. And sophomore Kruz Cullimore (180 rushing yards) is skilled, using his small size to get through the smallest holes to gain yards.

Biggest Statement: Highland

Gilbert Higley, as coach Eddy Zubey says, gets a top game from everyone. And the Cave Creek Cactus Shadows, with dual-threat QB Donivan Dixon refusing to back down, made it difficult for Higley to claim a 56-50 5A win. Higley is the two-time defending 5A state champion, with its only loss coming to 5-0 Marana. But Higley has a lot of weapons.

On Friday, it was quarterback Luke Haugo who threw four TD passes and ran for a two-point conversion, it was defensive lineman Jayden Rhodes who snatched a fumble and returned it 90 yards for a score, it was Taveon Sueing and Jaden Taylor, who each caught two The TD pass, and it was Justin Bender, who turned from offensive lineman to tailback, pounced for a score and a two-point conversion.

“It was great to see how our players responded every time Cactus Shadows scored,” Zubey said. “We know we will reach the top level of all players. We are preparing for it. Seeing our guys react time and time again, come back and make the next play is great. It makes us proud to watch them.”

Best recreation: Cactus

Every time you're ready to count out Glendale Cactus, it bounces back. Even without their biggest big-play threat, injured wide receiver JuJu Stubblefield, the Cobras came out on top after a 14-0 loss to rival Peoria, winning 35-14 with running back Tayejion Player rushed for 184 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries.

The defense came through after Dominic Kramer threw two touchdown passes to give the Panthers (1-4) a 14-0 lead. The Cobras (3-2) intercepted Kramer twice after that and held him to 8 of 17 completions for 149 yards.

Best resiliency: Chaparral

Scottsdale Chaparral wasn't expected to do much this year due to player departures and a reshuffle of the coaching staff under Doug Nisenson. But since a 49-0 loss to Sandra Day O'Connor, the Firebirds are 3-1 and have won their last two games against Tolleson (31-7) and Phoenix Desert Vista (44-36). The loss came against Desert Mountain 5-0 (18-7), which defeated its last two opponents by a combined score of 89-0.

At 3-2, Chaparral has already won one more game than it did all of last season, when it went 2-8 in Nisenson's first year as head coach. The Firebirds started without their biggest leader, senior defensive back/receiver Jordan Williams, who suffered a broken foot over the summer. But other players come through. In Friday's 44-36 win over Desert Vista, receivers Hunter Wohland and Kash Park both had more than 100 yards. This also includes an 80-yard scoring run from Park. Linebacker Parker Halvorson returned an interception for a touchdown.

“I’m very proud of the resilience we’ve shown,” Nisenson said. “Seventeen kids played their first varsity football game in Week 1 and we really learned from that experience and have gone 3-1 since then. Our children are committed to this process. This shows that we have focused on rebuilding the culture.” For the last year, it's about not dwelling on the circumstances. We don't point fingers or hang our heads. We play with a lot of faith, and that's more important to me than anything else.”

Monumental victory

Kayenta Monument Valley unveiled special uniforms honoring Navajo code talkers from World War II and gave coach Bryan Begay his 100th career victory with a 20-16 victory over Kingman. Jayden Tsosie executed a jet sweep for a touchdown late in the game, securing the milestone victory that improved the Mustangs to 2-3. It was the second time since 2021 that Monument Valley beat Kingman late and in dramatic fashion.

Bejay's 100th win came in his 18th season as head of the Navajo reservation program. What made the evening even more memorable was the presentation of specially made jerseys to the families of the Code Talkers, a gesture of gratitude for their service and sacrifices.

“The honor (Friday night) holds a special place in our hearts as we honor the Navajo Code Talkers and military personnel who sacrificed so much for our freedom,” Begay said. “By wearing these jerseys, we show not only pride in our culture, but also deep appreciation for those who have defended our values and way of life.”

Around the state

Tempe McClintock's 5-0 start is the school's best since 2005, when the Chargers won their first five games before losing their next two to finish 8-4 and reach the 4A quarterfinals. On Thursday, they delivered another outstanding performance from QB Jaxon Knutson (20 of 29 for 393, four touchdowns) in three quarters to win 40-14 against Cienega. Amari Scroggins and Khalil Bender both had more than 100 yards and two touchdowns.
Tonopah Valley improved to 5-0 after a 54-0 win Thursday night over St. John Paul II as the state's leading passer, Sir-Izzik Sanchez Caldwell, threw for 426 yards and six touchdowns on 12 of 16 passes. He already has 2,003 passing yards and 22 TDs in a 6-0 start.
Tucson Mica Mountain (5-0) is marching toward the best season in school history after dominating Casa Grande 41-7 as Josiah Thornwell ran for 128 yards and Jordan Perry 102. The undefeated 4A team had 258 rushing yards.
Prescott (4-1) won its third straight, defeating the San Tan Valley Combs 40-28 with another sensational game from QB/DB Uriah Tenette, who completed 6 of 10 passes for 155 yards and three touchdowns, two touchdowns made and returned an interception 105 yards for a score. Josiah Peoples had another TD catch, giving him nine points on the season.
Tarik Dzambegovic's 48-yard field goal on the final play gave Tempe Corona del Sol a 38-35 victory, moving Scottsdale Saguaro to 0-5. It was Corona del Sol's first victory.
Chandler Arizona College Prep, a completely different team since its season-opening 42-7 loss to Crown Point in Indiana, won its fourth straight game with a 43-29 victory over Yuma Catholic in a battle of the top four 4A teams.
In a battle of the top four 3A teams, Benjamin Franklin Queen Creek American Leadership handed Ironwood its first loss with a 35-14 win as BF ALA held Ironwood to 138 total yards of offense and 253 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries Ridge scored Allen.

Looking ahead

This could be the biggest week of the upcoming season. You have two open-bound heavyweights in Chandler Basha (5-0) and Phoenix Brophy Prep (5-0) competing Friday night at Central. The Battle of 6A is undefeated between Highland and Red Mountain at Red Mountain on Thursday night. On Friday night, ALA Queen Creek will face Phoenix Mountain Pointe 4-1 after a resounding 34-19 win over Phoenix Pinnacle 5-0. Another big game on Friday is Liberty (3-1) vs. Chandler (4-1). Defeat will not derail Chandler's Open ambitions.

Richard Obert has covered high school sports for the Arizona Republic since the 1980s. He also covers Grand Canyon University athletics and the Arizona Rattlers. To suggest ideas for human interest stories and other news stories, reach Obert at [email protected] or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert

This is what we learned in week 6

ByVanessa

What we learned

Biggest Statement: Highland

Best recreation: Cactus

Best resiliency: Chaparral

Monumental victory

Around the state

Looking ahead

By Vanessa

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