Chase Williams
ASU Student Journalist

Deer Valley's struggles continue against Cactus

September 28, 2018 by Chase Williams, Arizona State University


Cactus High (5-1, 1-0) hosts Deer Valley High (0-6, 0-1) in their first 4A regional matchup of the year.

The Deer Valley Skyhawks fell to the Cactus Cobras 29-14 Friday night in Glendale in their first Class 4A West Valley Region matchup of the season.

The Cobras’ defense was responsible for four turnovers on the night, capitalizing on Deer Valley’s reliance on backup quarterback Payton Hisey. Hisey threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles.

“Our defense is so resilient, and they’ve played like this all season,” Cactus High coach Joseph Ortiz said. “They’re our workhorse right now, and they’re carrying our team.”

The Cobras defense capitalized on good field position and turnovers to put themselves up at halftime 13-0.

While the Cactus defense held strong, the Skyhawks (0-6, 0-1) couldn’t avoid unnecessary penalties, forcing long third-down conversion attempts that ultimately resulted in turnovers and points for the opposing defense.

The Skyhawks offense, led by Dez Melton at running back, was unable to get kickstarted until a long kickoff return that set the Skyhawks up on the Cobras’ 13-yard line. Three plays later, Melton completed the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, putting Deer Valley within two posessions.

Going into the fourth quarter with a 14-point lead, Cactus (5-1, 1-0) marched down field for its first long drive of the night. Capping off a 10-play drive, Zaach Cullop punched in a 4-yard touchdown run to extend their lead to 29-7, following a successful two-point conversion.

With under six minutes to play in the game, Hisey connected with Melton on a 24-yard passing touchdown that would potentially allow for some late game heroics.

A flash of hope appeared on the next drive when the Cobras fumbled the ball in their own territory with just under two minutes to play, opening the door for a Deer Valley upset.

However, the Cactus defense brought pressure, sacking the quarterback and forcing a fumble that would seal the victory for the Cobras.

“I think that if we don’t have a bad start with the offense, we’d have been in a better situation late,” Deer Valley coach Dan Friedman said. “Each week we try to be more disciplined.Our guys are held accountable for the penalties they commit.”

Cactus junior running-back Anthony Flores detailed the importance winning their first regional game.

 “It’s huge,” he said. “It feels really good, to be part of the team and the win.”

The Skyhawks look to end their losing streak as they take the road trip to Lake Havasu (3-3, 0-1) as region play continues. The Cobras also hit the road, venturing to Goodyear to take on the Desert Edge Scorpions (4-3, 1-0).