Red Mtn.quarterback Darren Smith warms up for the 2nd half of 24-6 win over Desert Ridge. (AzPreps365 photo)

With a good chunk of a solid defense back from last year and an offense producing three long scoring plays, Red Mountain opened the 2018 football season with a convincing 24-6 victory over Desert Ridge  on Friday night in a 6A game at Red Mountain.

Junior running back Ty McElroy, the top returning rusher from last season, slashed his way to 109 yards and one TD. The better chunk of it came in the second half (71 yards) and included his 25-yard scoring run in the third period that increased Red Mountain's lead to 17-0.

Senior quarterback Darren Smith, who won a preseason quarterback battle, put up good numbers in his starting debut. Smith completed 10 of 14 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns. The defense blanked Desert Ridge until the final 18 seconds when the Jaguars connected on a nice 38-yard strike from sophmore quarterback Austin Kolb to junior wide out Aiden Lee.

"We try to be balanced," Red Mountain coach Mike Peterson said of the Mountain Lions offense."We ran the ball well and threw it down the field a few times....

"This is a good win overall, and because it came against a quality opponent."

Great extension and a diving grab by Red Mountain's Zach Molina for a 23-yard gain set up the first score of the game -- a 33-yard field goal by Conner Gardner with 3:32 left in the first quarter.

Red Mountain's Ty McElroy takes a breather in the final period of  win over Desert Ridge. (AZPreps365 photo) 

The lead grew to 10-0 as Red Mountain tallied on a 77-yard TD connection from Smith to junior Ramses Rivera. with 1:24 left to halftime. The ball was a a bit underthrown, but Rivera fought with the defender for possession and broke away the final 30 yards.

Red Mountain's final TD came in the final quarter on a 44-yard strike from Smith to a wide open Kalim Reece-Peeplez at the 7:05 mark. 

Desert Ridge was hoping to feature some balance in its attack to take the heat off talented workhorse back Lucas Wright. Senior quarterback Cooper Schmidt looked good and capable of making some throws, but his night ended midway through the second period due to injury. He did not return.

Wright, a senior, ended unofficially with 27 carries for 168 yards rushing and also caught three passes for 18 yards. With Schmidt out the final  2 1/2 quarters, Red Mountain was able to hone in on Wright and the rushing game. Wright ran tough for most of his yards despite the Mountain Lions jamming the box with nearly all its defenders.

"You never expect to lose your quarterback this early and it did affect us," Desert Ridge coach Jeremy Hathcock said. "We had to go with our sophomore, and that wasn't ideal against them."

Hathcock praised Wright's effort and it looks as though he will need more of the same from Wright in games to come.

"Lucas took a lot of punishment, but he showed he is one of the top backs around," Hathcock said. "I'm proud of him. We'll have to tweak a few things next week and get back at it."

Red Mountain's victory snapped a streak of five wins in a row by Desert Ridge in the all-time series between the schools. Prior to Friday Red Mountain's last win over Desert Ridge came in 2011. Friday was the first time the schools had played since 2015.