There aren’t many sure things over the course of a football season, but the rock-solid defense of Highland is one of them. 

Friday night in Gilbert, the two-time 6A defending state champion Hawks put on another defensive clinic, this time in a big win over ALA-Queen Creek, 21-11 in an East Valley Region contest.

The Hawks stout defense was able to put the clamps on ALA-Queen Creek and quarterback Enoch Watson for much of the night. 

Two big scoring plays from running back Jay Martin and receiver Katcher Taylor made the difference for the Hawks. 

The win puts Highland (6-2, 3-0) in control of its own Open Division destiny, which is where the Hawks will likely end up if they win their last two games.

“We are now in playoff football mode, Highland coach Brock Farrel said after the game. 

“We control our destiny. If we win out I think our chances are pretty good of making the Open Division. But we still have to stay focused one game at a time."

Highland controlled the game for the first three quarters, building up a 14-3 lead thanks most in part to the defense. 
The Patriots were held to their lowest offensive output of the season, while managing only 109 yards of offense through the first three quarters.
The Patriots never got past the Highland 30-yard line until midway through the fourth quarter when they scored their only touchdown.
Quarterback Enoch Watson passed for 207 yards, but was sacked five times, as the typically efficient Patriot offense could never find a rhythm until late in the game.

“We’ve got a couple more to go but this was a big one,” Highland linebacker Kash Cullimore said. 

“I’m proud of our team. (Enoch Watson) is a beast, I have to give it to him, but we were able to shut them down.”

Highland’s first score came on a 42-yard run by Jay Martin late in the first quarter. 

Hawks kicker Hudson Schambach added two field goals in the second quarter after ALA-Queen Creek's Sam Hunsaker drilled a 47-yarder for the Patriots. 

The score stayed at 14-3 in Highland’s favor until the Patriots finally scored on a fourth quarter run from Enoch Watson, followed by a two point pass to Boe Sparks. 

A few moments later came the play of the game. Guarding a 14-11 lead, Highland struck back when Katcher Taylor took a swing pass from Fisher and dashed 78 yards down the sideline for a touchdown. 

Taylor’s big play was a back breaker for ALA-Queen Creek, deflating the sideline and providing the game’s final score. 

"I can’t say enough about our defense,” Highland coach Brock Farrel added.  

“(ALA) is a well coached team with a great quarterback. Holding them to 11 points says a lot.”

Despite its second loss, ALA-Queen Creek should still be in good shape for the Open Division playoffs. 

Highland will also likely find itself Open bound assuming the Hawks take care of business in their last two games. One of their opponents is Queen Creek, who surprisingly dominated Red Mountain Friday night 45-21.

“We’ve still got plenty of work to do,” coach Farrel said.