Scottsdale Christian's defense lines up for a key goal line stand Friday night at San Tan Charter High. (Ben Stapley/azpreps365)

Entering  the 2023 season, second ranked Scottsdale Christian’s high-octane offense was the closest thing a certainty; the defense not so much. 
Although it’s only one game, head coach Mike Sheahan feels better about both. 
Senior quarterback Jack Atkinson led the attack in a 41-13 victory over No. 4 San Tan Charter in a 2A season opener at San Tan Charter High in Gilbert. 
Atkinson carved up San Tan Charter for 335 yards and four touchdowns through the air—each to a different target. 
But that probably wasn’t the most surprising or satisfying part of the win for the Eagles or coach Sheahan. 
It was the defense that passed an early test, indicating improvement from last season. 
“It’s only one game, but I think I can say we’ve made strides,” Sheahan said about his defense in Week 1. 
“Typically defenses are always ahead of offenses early in the season, but I saw some good signs.” 
In last season’s semifinal loss to eventual 2A champ Pima, Scottsdale Christian’s defense was left in the dust for 71 points. 
Friday’s victory was significant for a couple of reasons: physicality in the trenches and coverage in the secondary. 
Like Scottsdale Christian’s, San Tan Charter has a top-flight quarterback of its own in Zayden Neill. The senior ended up with 222 passing yards, but SC’s defense made Neill earn every yard, and the San Tan Charter offense had to labor for the 13 points it scored, seven of which came late in the game. 
But the most telling sequence was a goal line stand in the third quarter. 
San Tan Charter trailed 27-6 but had a shot to get back in the game after driving to Scottsdale Christian’s two yard line. 
Four plays later, Neill was stuffed by Scottsdale Christian defenders, essentially sealing the game. 
It was an impressive display of defense. Seven of San Tan Charter’s last eight plays on that drive resulted in either no yardage or a loss off it. 
“Defense is all about playing physical and our kids showed it last night, especially when it mattered,” Sheahan mentioned of the goal line stand. 
With the experience and strong arm of Atkinson, plus the weapons around him, Scottsdale Christian’s offense will put up points all season. The Trapp twins—Jacob and Andrew—will help keep defenses off balance with their rushing and receiving skills. 
If the defense maintains the tenacity it displayed against San Tan Charter, Scottsdale Christian may be poised for a deep playoff run.