Skyline High School heads west into Phoenix to take on the Thunder from Desert Vista, each team looking for its second consecutive victory in this week’s AZPreps365 Game of the Week.

Skyline (2-1), is coming off a win in Week 2, defeating Valley Vista in blow-out fashion, 41-3. Quarterback Steven Castle led the way for the Coyotes last week, rushing for 146 yards and adding an additional 93 through the air. He was responsible for four of the team’s touchdowns.

The Coyotes also saw contributions from leading rusher Aaron Wood, who rushed for 55 yards and a score.

The story of the game for Skyline however, was the defense. The Coyotes forced Valley Vista into four turnovers, highlighted by two interceptions and a forced fumble by senior cornerback Darius Glover. Defensive end Sam To’oto’o and linebacker Zach Kriens also got into the action, combining for 13 tackles, and a blocked punt.

Skyline’s defensive play last Friday was nothing new. Through three games this season, the Coyotes defense has surrendered only 38 points to opponents, while creating 11 turnovers and allowing just 210 yards per game, including 131 against Vista last Friday.

But Skyline has benefitted from contributions from its offense well. Behind the slew of defensive turnovers, the Coyotes’ run-first offense has taken advantage, compiling 93 points in the team’s first three contests.

Two-way player Glover has led the way for the offense, accumulating 134 yards receiving and three touchdown receptions.

Desert Vista (1-1), will also head into Friday’s contest with a touch of confidence after collecting its first win of the season last week, defeating Basha High 29-19. The Thunder’s offense looked impressive in the matchup, compiling 425 total yards and three touchdowns.

After largely struggling in week one against a talented Perry defense, quarterback Derek Kline rebounded, completing 19-of-26 passes for 253 yards and all three of the Vista’s touchdowns. The mobile senior and team’s leading rusher also had 57 yards on the ground.

Receivers Dominic Shepardson and Jake White complimented their signal caller, combining for 173 yards receiving and two touchdowns.

Likewise, a defense that got punched in the mouth week one against Perry, allowing over 600 yards and 49 points to Brock Purdy and the Pumas, buckled down. The Thunder defense sacked Basha quarterback Collin Collins four times while conceding just 258 total yards to the Bears.

Vista’s defense is led by senior linebacker Larry Davis and sophomore cornerback Colby Humphrey, who combined for 30 tackles and three sacks in Vista’s first two contests.

intrigue ultimately figures to be the battle on opposite sides of the ball. A Desert Vista offense, which comes in averaging nearly 400 yards per game, will go head-to-head with Skyline’s defense, which has yet to allow over 300 yards of total offense to any opponent this season.

Friday marks the second time in two years that the two teams have matched up with Skyline defeating Desert Vista 27-21 last season. The game kicks at 7 p.m. and can be viewed live online at https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/azpreps365/c8a686370e and heard on the Fanatic (1580 AM and 99.3 FM).