Henry Buchan is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Camelback High School for AZPreps365.com

The Arcadia Titans built a 27-0 halftime lead Friday night and then weathered a Camelback comeback to post a 27-14 win at home.  

In addition to Camelback’s rally, the second half was characterized by penalties on both sides and a late-game Camelback ejection.

Camelback and Arcadia had faced off against each other the past two years with the Spartans winning in 2022 and the Titans taking last year’s matchup.

Arcadia coach Ray Brown said that the teams’ familiarity with each other and existing rivalry contributed to tensions on the field, culminating in a brief late-game skirmish in which punches were thrown. 

“We are three miles away from (Arcadia),” Brown said. “Our kids know those kids. A lot of our kids live in their district, and their kids live in this district. It gets frisky, but it’s nothing that should get to the point where somebody is getting hurt. That was my concern at the end; I thought the referees didn’t get control of it.”

For most of the first half, Camelback’s offense was unable to earn a first down, but their defense kept them in the game. Even after an intercepted pass, a turnover on downs in their own territory, and a couple of three-and-outs, Arcadia was held to a pair of field goals midway through the second quarter.

However, a three-yard rushing touchdown from junior Jax Ashley, a punt-block touchdown recovered by junior Kayan Cobb and a 16-yard touchdown pass from junior Zach Smith to senior Nicholas Gentner gave Arcadia its 27-0 halftime advantage. 

Arcadia senior wide receiver Logan Connelly said that the blocked punt from senior lineman Jacob TeKamp represented a key turning point.

“The blocked punt was probably the play of the game,” Connelly said. “That really helped to shift momentum into our favor. They’re a good team on defense and they were stuffing us. That blocked punt really helped us to capitalize and get the game to go our way.”

In the second half, Camelback’s offense had much more success running and throwing the ball. They also drew a number of penalties on both offense and defense, helping the Spartans get back into the game.

Camelback ended Arcadia’s shutout bid with a 2-yard rushing touchdown from junior Murray Crump in the third quarter. Midway through the fourth quarter, Spartans junior quarterback Angel Neria had by far his most successful drive, connecting on a couple of deep passes and finishing it off with a 3-yard touchdown pass to senior Kemahn Knight. 

Ultimately, however, Camelback’s efforts were too little too late.

Camelback coach Dante Foster didn’t think his team came out with the level of energy necessary to win in the first half, and that an attitude adjustment for the second half was key.

“We started to run the ball effectively in the second half,” Foster said. “Our kids had a better sense of urgency in the second half, and I think that was the biggest thing. When you’re down 27, it’s tough to come back from four scores. Our kids were excited, it was fun. I just think we came out flat.”

Smith had 124 yards passing and a touchdown for Arcadia, while Neria had 113 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions for Camelback. Arcadia junior Ryan Jimenez led all rushers with 67 yards on 14 attempts, while Camelback’s Aken Logan led all receivers with 54 receiving yards on six receptions.

Arcadia improved to 5-0, while Camelback fell to 1-4.

Camelback will host Trevor Browne on Friday at 7 p.m. Arcadia will play at Desert Sunrise on Friday at 7 p.m.