The Higley Knights got back to their winning ways Friday night after a comfortable 57-22 win vs the Millennium Tigers in a Class 5A non-region game at Higley.

Following a 28-point loss last week to Moorpark, California, the Knights used a six-touchdown performance from senior quarterback Spencer Brasch to hand the Tigers their first loss of the season.

Senior wide receiver Coleman Owen was the beneficiary of two of those scores, pushing his season total to 10. Owen credited his signal caller for his accuracy throughout the game.   

“He’s crazy,” Owen said. “He’s always putting it right on the money.”

Brasch threw for 318 yards and four touchdowns on the night, and added two more on the ground. Most of those numbers came in the second half after the offense missed some opportunities by fumbling four snaps in the first half.

The Tigers were within two scores of the Knights heading into halftime, but the Knights cleaned up those mistakes and eventually took command of the game.

Higley outscored Millennium 35-7 in the second half until the 5:47 mark of the fourth quarter when the Tigers tacked on a touchdown after Higley had taken out some of its starters.

Brasch offered praise for his offensive line for their work in the trenches Friday night.

“Our line was blocking really well, getting our running game open,” Brasch said.

Before the game, however, Higley coach Eddy Zubey said he  wanted to see his defense step up after giving up 35 points to Moorpark last week. After Millennium quarterback Jalan Early scampered in for a 27-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter to put Millennium up 7-6, Higley clamped down on the Tigers’ offense.

Senior defensive end Logan Maxwell was one of the key contributors in the Knights’ defensive showcase. He registered a blocked punt and recovered it for a touchdown to put the Knights up 23-7 with 9:07 left in the half. He also recovered a Tigers’ fumble in the third quarter.

Coming off a loss, Zubey said he was proud of the way his team bounced back.

“The guys executed it [the game plan],” he said. “Just knowing that when our backs are against the wall and we need each other, that we’ll be there.”

Millennium (3-1) will look to regroup next week, as it will travel to Peoria for a clash with the undefeated Centennial Coyotes.

Holding a 4-1 record overall, Higley will be on the road next week to take on the Maricopa Rams, who are also 4-1, after a 55-0 shutout against Central Friday night.