SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.- In what many considered to be the game of the week, the Saguaro Sabercats rejuvenated their winning ways, defeating the Higley Knights 42-14 with a big night from wide receiver Zach Wilson and quarterback Max Massingale.

The bout was close at first, with Higley striking quickly after Saguaro’s first score in only two minutes and 34 seconds.

The rest of the game took a turn for the worst for the Knights.

Higley’s defense was no match for Massingale, who threw for 235 yards and a touchdown pass with no turnovers, while running for an impressive 122 yards and an additional score on the ground.

Even with his impressive stat line, Massingale wasn’t shy to call his flaws out.

“I think we were consistent, I think we had some errors, some stupid stuff I did on my part that I gotta clean up and I hold myself responsible for stuff like that,” Massingale said. “I think we really clicked on all cylinders tonight.”

Wilson caught 9 passes for 124 yards and one score, but he did not hesitate to credit the entire Sabercat team, most notably Massingale.

 “It’s everyone, our defense is lights out, our offensive line is playing really good, and definitely our quarterback Max Massingale, he’s making a lot of plays,” Wilson said. “Also, the receiver group as unit, we’re all clicking as one”.

On the other side of the ball, after giving up 86 points the last two weeks, the Sabercat defense held senior wide receiver James Mageo to 19 total yards on six rush attempts and one catch.

“We had a good plan, I think we executed our plan, we just failed ourselves on the details a little bit,” defensive coordinator Jim Camarillo said. “Their No. 8, he is a fantastic player, and we did have some focus on him.”

Higley’s No. 8, better known as wide receiver Draycen Hall, had an explosive performance, catching 16 passes for 160 yards and one touchdown.

Hall was unavailable for comment after tonight’s game.

Out of all the impressive performances tonight, perhaps the most exciting play was Logan Pettijohn’s one handed touchdown grab in the third quarter.

“I lost track of the ball and just saw it last second, just threw one hand out and reeled it in. It’s just second nature,” Pettijohn said.

A strong victory is exactly what the Sabercats needed, but this is not the end of the road for a long season that just began a month ago.

“I guess until someone beats us in 4A, we’re wearing the crown,” head coach Jason Mohns said. “We’re very beginning of September and this thing is going to go until the beginning of December. It’s a grind, it’s a journey so we just got to keep moving forward.”

Saguaro looks to extend their one-game winning streak next week against the winless St. Mary’s Knights.