There were essentially two possessions in the third quarter Friday night between Red Mountain and Desert Ridge. Both teams scored on those possessions, but it was Red Mountain's answer in the period that proved decisive.

Red Mountain fashioned an 18-play march closing the third period that produced the game-winning touchdown in a 14-8 triumph over Desert Ridge at Jags Stadium. 

Red Mountain, ranked sixth in the current 6A power rankings, improved to 6-1 overall in its Fiesta Region opener.  No. 19 Desert Ridge fell to 3-4 and is 0-2 in region. 

There were few explosive plays in the game. Mostly a few yards and a cloud of dust. Red Mountain unofficially outgained Desert Ridge, 240-220. Red Mountain owned a 7-0 hafltime lead thanks to a short field and 4-yard touchdown run by Josiah Villanueva with 6:48 left in the first quarter. The Mountain Lions were able to take possession at Desert Ridge's 22 after an interception by linebacker Skylar Redmonds.

Desert Ridge took the lead on the opening possession of the second half. The Jaguars pounded away as they did much of the game with running back Jordan Wilson. Wilson carried seven times on the eight-play drive. He scored on a 4-yard run. Desert Ridge opted to go for two on was successful with a run up the middle.

Desert Ridge didn't throw on its scoring drive, but Red Mountain's answer came with 12 passes and four runs. Quarterback Carter Crispin's 15-yard hook-up with wide out Lenox Lawson came with 40 seconds left in the quarter and a 14-8 lead.

"We needed to win a tough one, get a gritty one," Red Mountain coach Mike Peterson said. "Our loss was a tough one. 

Desert Ridge missed scoring chances in the first and second quarters. Both were field-goal attempts. The first was wide from 27 yards out and the second in the second quarter was blocked with with 30 seconds left in the half. Both teams committed three turnovers and there were 17 penalties - nine on Red Mountain and eight for Desert Ridge.

Wilson had the best offensive night rushing with for 128 yards on 22 attempts. Villanueva led Red Mountain in rushing with 60 yards on 13 carries.