Bobby Hurley is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Gilbert High School for AZPreps365.com

Campo Verde’s suffocating defense led to a 30-13 win over Gilbert on Thursday night at Campo Verde High School.

Campo Verde forced five turnovers, including four interceptions. Last season, the Campo Verde defense held Gilbert to two points. This game was more of the same as the Tigers struggled to get anything going until late.

On offense, running back Athan Ferber made his presence felt with two touchdowns. Ferber was the focal point of the offense as the Coyotes' line set him up for several long rushes.

“Coming into this game we were putting in a few more pass plays to get the ball in the air more but the ball on the ground is what is getting us yards more right now,” Ferber said. “Definitely just the offensive line was key and the blocking is always great.”

The Gilbert offense struggled to move the ball, especially in the passing game. Quarterback Danny Hesse threw only two interceptions through four games but threw four Thursday. A pivotal interception occurred in the first half when the Tigers had one occur in the red zone while the game was still close. 

Gilbert’s first-half woes did not slow the Tigers' energy and morale in the second half. The Tigers scored 13 points to cut the deficit to 10 with 9 minutes to go in the game. Hesse connected on two touchdowns in the second half.

“I trusted my offensive line more in the second half,” Hesse said. “I was a little paranoid from the pass rush from last year. Once I locked in on the receivers I did way better.”

The Tigers never stopped fighting. They got off to a slow start but the communication and effort never stopped both on the field and on the sideline. Players and coaches still competed even with the large deficit. 

The Tigers were down 23-0 entering the fourth quarter. The Gilbert defense forced back-to-back punts that led to 13 unanswered Gilbert points. The Tigers failed on an onside kick to try and get the ball back. Campo then had an 8-minute drive that secured the victory.

“We just continue to fight, scratch, and claw,'' coach Derek Zellner said. "We beat ourselves tonight. We can’t turn the ball over five times and expect to win. There is no quit, we love each other, we play for each other and no matter what the score is win, lose or draw, we are going to fight. That’s what these guys do. They don’t give up.”

Campo Verde improved to 3-1 and will face Casa Grande on Oct. 14. Gilbert falls to 3-2 and starts region play at home next week against Sunnyslope. Gilbert is trying to make its first playoff appearance since 2019.