Mountain View once again used its winning formula to secure another close game over another top opponent.

This time it was Highland that tangled with the Toros to the very end, but Mountain View held off the Hawks,18-13, in a 6A non-region contest at Toro Stadium in Mesa. 

Mountain View overcame another stellar performance by Highland quarterback Alexis Eley, who threw for 383 yards and two touchdowns. 

Highland's offense has put up big numbers in its first two games, with Eley nearing 1,000 yards through only three games. Trailing late in the game, Eley drove the Hawks to Mountain View's six-yard line but Highland was unable to get another play off as time ran out. 

"That's a great offense and a great quarterback we were dealing with and they almost pulled it off towards the end," Arzaga said afterward.

Emilee Searle caught both of Eley's touchdown passes for Highland, and gave Mountain View trouble all game long, finishing with nine receptions unofficially.

"That's a well coached team and Kenny Golladay and his staff know what they're doing," Argaza of Highland.

"But our girls made some big plays. They've been doing it since last year and our defensive play has played a huge role in our success."

The biggest came from Emma Fischbeck with 2:34 left in the game and Highland looking to take the lead. Fischbeck, who had already made a leaping touchdown grab earlier in the third quarter, picked off a tipped pass near the Toros' five-yard line, ending the Hawks scoring threat.

Mountain View scored first and a well-executed hook and ladder play. After Fischbeck took a short pass from Metcalf, she pitched it to a streaking Lucee Lamoreaux for an early 6-0 lead.

Highland took a 7-6 lead into halftime thanks to Searle's 19-yard touchdown reception from Eley.
"These girls have really come along this year especially Alexis," said Golladay, who kicked for Mountain View in the early 2000's and was the Toros' strength and conditioning coach last Fall.  

Highland defensive back Megan Kalkman intercepted two passes for the Hawks, who won't play again until next Tuesday when they host Millennium. Mountain View travels to Mountain RIdge Thursday for a rematch of last year's 6A championship game.