Hamilton High’s highly touted quarterback Tyler Shough showed early in Friday’s game against Red Mountain why he is considered one of the top high school quarterbacks in the country

 

On the second offensive play of the game from their own 40-yard line, Shough set up in a shotgun formation with five receivers spread wide, three to his right and two to his left. Shough took the snap, dropped back two steps, shuffled back into the pocket and sailed a 60-yard tight spiral that fell perfectly into the hands of in-stride sophomore wide receiver Brendan Rice for a touchdown to give the Huskies a lead they would never relinquish in a 52-14 victory.

 

“We spread them out a little, I was reading the safety right there and he bit on a nice route by Brendan,” said Shough, who threw for three touchdowns. “When the offensive line gives you protection like that, it’s easy to find that hole and make the throw.”

 

The Huskies rushed to a lead of 42-0 at halftime by dominating both sides of the ball. The Hamilton defense forced the Mountain Lions to punt nearly every drive in the first two quarters. The success of the Hamilton defense could be attributed to a change in the game plan by defensive coordinator Brian Belles.

 

After the loss against Queen Creek last week, Belles changed his defensive scheme from a 3-4, three D-linemen and four linebackers, to a 4-3, four D-linemen and three linebackers.

 

“With our lack of experience on the defense I thought that keeping it simple for the kids was the way to go,” said Belles. “The kids finally played the way we know they are capable of playing and hopefully moving forward that’s a step in the right direction.”

 

While the defense forced the ball back into the hands of the Hamilton offense, Shough was not the only offensive player to shine.

 

The Huskies’ senior running back Jawhar Jordan Jr. rushed for three touchdowns, all in the first half. Jordan, who is verbally committed to play for Syracuse University, has now tallied nine total touchdowns in the first three games of the season.

 

Senior running back/wide receiver Manny Armenta scored one rushing and one receiving touchdowns in his second consecutive game to bring his TD count to four.

 

Even with the well-rounded success of his team, Hamilton head coach Dick Baniszewski highlighted the need for improvements.

 

“We had too many penalties, too many mistakes and need to continue to be disciplined,” said Baniszewski.

 

The Huskies will look to improve to 3-1 when they take on the Desert Ridge Jaguars Friday, at 7 p.m. at Hamilton.