Red Mountain coach Kyle Enders knew his team needed a challenge and the Mountain Lions got one Friday night. 
Hosting Downey High from Southern California, Red Mountain survived three hours of offensive fireworks before outlasting Downey, 35-32 in the first ever Honor Bowl tackle football game played outside of California. 
Senior quarterback Simon Lopez threw for 259 yards and two touchdowns for the Mountain Lions, while his Downey High counterpart Oscar Rios passed for 329 yards and three scores. 
But for all the offensive spectacles the game offered, it was a huge defensive play that helped Red Mountain put the game away late. 
"I'm proud of our guys and their resiliency," Enders said of the win. 
"We haven't faced a lot of adversity this year, and we faced a lot tonight."

Red Mountain (4-0) had blitzed through its first three opponents by an average score of 51-8.

Downey (4-1) was a different story.

Special Teams, Special Players

Both quarterbacks kept their opposing secondaries scrambling all night. Rios, a Purdue commit,  used his strong arm efficiently, spreading the ball around to seven different receivers while delivering big plays. His three touchdown passes were all 34 yards or longer. Lopez did nearly the same damage with his arm while keeping Downey's defense even more off-balance with his legs. 

Ultimately, the difference for Red Mountain was defense, special teams and Bode Wagner. The speedy receiver scored twice in the second quarter. The first touchdown on a 15-yard end around and a 38-yard reception just before halftime that gave the Mountain Lions a 21-20 lead at the break. Wagner also had two long scoring plays called back due to penalties.

Both teams scored five touchdowns, but three failed point-after attempts by Downey provided the scoring difference. The Mountain Lions defense also came up with a pair of interceptions in the fourth quarter that helped put the game away.

The first came from Tyreke Cornett, who stepped in front of a Rios pass before streaking 45 yards into the endzone with 6:18 left in the game. That play ignited Red Mountain's sideline and gave the Mountain Lions their biggest lead of the game.

Logan Haynie intercepted a Rios' pass on Downey's next possession, as well as Downey's final two-point attempt.

 

"(Downey) made big plays on their end...there were lots of penalties, but us getting tested and the adversity we went through, I'm proud of our team for that," Enders added. "But we have a lot to clean up going into region play."

Red Mountain's final six games are  indeed a gauntlet. Region opponents include Hamilton, Highland, ALA Queen Creek, Queen Creek and Williams Field. Week 10 is a rivalry game at Mountain View.

 

Simon Says 'Efficient'

After completing 16 of his 21 passing attempts Friday night, Simon Lopez's completion percentage for the season is 80. The senior has also thrown 12 touchdowns with no interceptions. 

"Last year Simon was an athlete playing quarterback," Enders said.

"This year he's become a quarterback who is also a great athlete."