EDITOR'S NOTE: This article has been changed to reflect that Marshall Gillette had four touchdowns total.

PRESCOTT — Evan Tarasenko’s family may have moved from Hawaii to Phoenix over the summer, but the Northwest Christian quarterback looks right at home in a Crusader uniform.

The 6-foot-1, 195 pound senior threw for five touchdowns in a 48-24 win over Prescott on the road Friday night.

It is the third straight win to start the season for the Crusaders (3-0, 0-0 4A West Valley), which had an uneventful end to the 2022 campaign with a loss to Bradshaw Mountain in the first round of the state playoffs.

Now with Tarasenko at the helm, Northwest Christian and its 17 returners are starting to look more and more like a 4A title contender.

“We have high hopes, ultimately the goal is going to be state,” Tarasenko said after the game. “I truly believe, with this group of guys, if we put our heads down and work every day, that’s a goal we can achieve.”

Northwest Christian quarterback Evan Tarasenko (2) looks downfield in attempt to complete a pass Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Prescott. The senior threw for five touchdowns in a 48-24 win for the Crusaders, which are now 3-0 on the season. (Brian M. Bergner Jr./AzPreps365.com)

The signal caller said he “felt good” about Friday night’s five touchdown performance, but didn’t hesitate to credit his teammates.

“A lot of the receivers did the work for me,” Tarasenko said. “We had a few good blocks on screens that ended up being touchdowns. I’m proud of our guys.”

Coach David Inness said his quarterback is “special” having come from a program in Hawaii where he threw the ball just 25 times in a season.

“The best thing about Evan is he’s a great leader, and he’s all about team,” Inness said.

Tarasenko credited film sessions early in the week, and the coaching staff’s game plan coming to Prescott.

“The whole week felt great at practice, and everyone bought into the game plan the coaches had for us. Everyone played well tonight,” Tarasenko said.

HOW THEY SCORED

On the second play from scrimmage, Tarasenko kicked things off with a bang, finding wideout Gunner Penzkover on an 81-yard touchdown pass to put the Crusaders up early, 7-0.

Prescott would answer as Uriah Tennett took over at quarterback during a “Wildcat” play, avoiding three tacklers for a 9-yard touchdown run, making it 7-6 with 9:58 to play in the second quarter.

Tennett would have two scores on the night.

Later, Tarasenko found Marshall Gillette on a 2-yard touchdown toss to take a 14-6 lead. Griffen Clapp then recovered a fumble on the Badgers’ next possession, setting up Tarasenko’s third touchdown of the night, a 33-yard strike to Cole Muscari to make it 21-6 with 4:27 to play in second quarter.

Gillette, now on defense, picked off Prescott quarterback Jaxon Rice and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown and it was all Northwest Christian at halftime, 28-6.

Prescott (1-2, 0-0 4A Grand Canyon), however, would show a little life to start the third quarter.

On their first possession, running back Adam Lloyd sprinted down the sideline for a 72-yard touchdown run, and after the Badgers recovered a surprise onside kick, Lloyd scored again on a 17-yard run to make it 28-18 with 11:02 to go in the third quarter.

Suddenly, the hometown Prescott team was back in it.

“You let anybody get back in the game, the momentum thing gets you. But, you know what, it gives me something to grind. I love that part. Monday, Tuesday, they’ll think we didn’t win tonight," Inness said with a laugh.

It wouldn’t be long though before the Crusaders would answer as Gillette had a 14-yard touchdown run, then caught an 11-yard pass from Tarasenko to make it 41-18 at the 5:16 mark in the third quarter and Northwest Christian never looked back.

Gillette would tally four touchdowns Friday night, recording a rushing, two receiving and an interception score.

“We’re excited. Our goal was to be in this position. … I’ve learned my lesson last year coming up here to play Bradshaw [Mountain]. I thought we played well, but third quarter we got a little sloppy defensively. We will fix that. It gives me something to get on them about Monday. Super happy about 3-0,” Inness said.

UP NEXT

Northwest Christian heads home to face Carl Hayden in Week 5 action Friday, Sept. 15.

Prescott’s schedule has the Badgers traveling for the next three weeks, the first against Vista Grande on Sept. 15.

Kickoff for both games is set for 7 p.m.

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on Twitter @AzPreps365Brian. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.