Lauren Koval
ASU Student Journalist

Huskies and Wolves take it down to the wire

October 13, 2017 by Lauren Koval , Arizona State University


The top of the 6A Desert Valley faced off at Horizon High School. The Huskies didn't disappoint the homecoming crowd and have now won six straight thanks to a 41-38 victory.

Lead by quarterback Isaac Enriquez and running back Nash Giffin, the duo seemed unbeatable.

Offense dominated the game with Horizon quarterback Enriquez scoring three touchdowns in the first half of the game after the team found itself in an early hole.

Picking just one offensive play that helped lift Horizon to victory was impossible, but two stood out for the team. “Cameron Katz's touchdown reception for nearly 70 yards in the second half and Shane Andrews' burst through the end zone for 45 yards were huge momentum shifts for us,” said Director of Football Operations Lucas Ramirez.

On the Wolves' side of the ball quarterback Kedon Slovis threw with accuracy most of the night to his favorite target, Josh Walker. That duo for Desert Mountain perfectly executed a two-minute drive to pull within three points late the game late.

It is not difficult to see how the Wolves offense could effectively put together a scoring drive in less than two minutes because they are backed by offensive coordinator Kurt Warner.

With only a few seconds left in the game Desert Mountain attempted an onside kick. The ball traveled roughly 10 yards before being bobbled by various members of both teams. After a few seconds, Horizon came away with the ball and sealed the win.

“Heart wrenching,” Horizon wide receivers coach Christopher Parries said.

The entire Horizon coaching staff was just happy for the victory. This brings Horizon's record to 7-1 and 3-0 in region play. For Desert Mountain, the Wolves fall to 4-4 and 1-2.

With both teams gearing up for playoffs, victory was on everyone's mind.

Both teams need to focus on what they do well to secure wins in the final two weeks of the season. For the Wolves, that is a quick, long-passing offensive strategy. Two of the Wolves' touchdowns came on passes over 70 yards. The Huskies need to focus on rushing the ball effectively. With a quarterback who loves to rush the ball himself in Enriquez, and two quality running backs in Giffin and Andrews, that shouldn't be a problem.

“Horizon on average rushes for double the amount of passing yards they get each game. Just in the first half, Horizon had over 300 rushing yards,” said statistician and freshman offensive line coach Jordan Vore.

For next week’s games, Horizon will play Boulder Creek for their senior night and Desert Mountain will look to bounce back against Sandra Day O’Connor.