How big is tonight's showdown between Red Mountain and Highland?

"This is huge," Mountain Lions coach Kyle Enders said this week.

Only four 6A teams remain unbeaten. Red Mountain and Highland represent half of them. Tonight's winner also gains an inside track to the East Valley Region title, along with a favorable  path to the Open division playoffs, something Red Mountain has yet to experience. 

But those aren't reasons to which Enders is referencing.

"This is a big deal for our kids for several reasons," Enders explains.

"We've seen Highland quite a bit in the last few years, we've had some great games, but they've gotten the better of us. Our seniors have never beaten them. obviously they have another great team so our work is cut out for us."

Tonight marks the fifth contest between the schools since the 2021 6A semifinals. Highland was dominant early that night and won 28-14. The Hawks went on to capture the 6A championship the next week.

2022-Week seven was quarterback Kalen Fisher's first ever start for Highland, and also a road game at Red Mountain. After an ugly first half, Fisher played one of the best games of his career, throwing for 200 yards, which included the winning drive and touchdown pass in the final seconds to pull out a thrilling 17-14 win.

 

The teams met again in the 6A semifinals later that season. Highland won that game 35-21 before winning its second straight 6A title the next week. Last year the teams reunited again in the regular season. Red Mountain led for three quarters before Highland pulled away with a 25-15 victory.

Familiarity is not a problem for either team, on the field or off.

"Another thing about this game is these kids all know eachother," Enders added. "I think that makes it more personal as well."

Keys to Victory 

Highland has evolved into a program that wins annually regardless of personnell, experience or talent level.

With the exception of Fisher, the Hawks entered 2024 with an inexperienced offense. They lost their leading receiver (Greg Toler Jr) to transfer and their four leading rushers to graduation. 

Yet Highland enters week six with a flawless record and impressive resume.

Victories include a 20-14 decision over Chandler last week, and a 24-17 victory over defending Open runner-up Centennial. Senior Kash Allen established himself as the featured running back before a leg injury in week four.
Last week against Chandler, sophomore Kruz Cullimore got the start in Allen's place and carried Highland's ground game with 190 yards and a touchdown.
Like the Cullimore family tree, Highland never seems to  run out of rock-solid football players. 

Highland sophomore Kruz Cullimore (22) rushed for 190 yards and one touchdown last weeek in a win over Chandler. (Photo by Corey Cross)

The Hawks like to control the game on the ground, but the 6-4 Fisher has a strong arm and is capable of the big play. The senior has spread the ball around to 12 different receivers thus far.
Red Mountain will need its 'A' game defensively while minimizing errors and turnovers in all three phases

"(Highland) runs a great program and they're well coached," Enders emphasized. "We have to play clean football."

Better Than Perfect?

Clean is one way to describe the performance of Red Mountain quarterback Simon Lopez this season. Other ways include flawless,  The senior eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark last week in a 52-28 rout of Wiliams Field. For the season Lopez is completing an astounding 82% of his pass attempts, and this goes along with 15 touchdowns and no interceptions through five games. According to MaxPreps, Lopez has a passer rating of 162.2 through five games.

According to the NFL formula, a perfect passer rating for a single game is 158.3. There's no way to confirm, but Lopez's rating may currently be the highest in the country. Regardless, Red Mountain will need another efficient game from Lopez, who is making his 19th varsity start for the Lions.

"Last year he was an athlete playing quarterback, but this year he's a quarterback who's a great athlete." Enders said of Lopez development since last season.

Simon Lopez is a dual-threat QB who's completed 82% of his passes through five games. (Photo by Stephanie Ross)

The Mountain Lions have used the running back by committee system thus far, and Lopez is a part of that equation with his quickness and natural running ability. Junior Kai Jackson and Mountain View transfer Jackson Bogle have shared a bulk of the carries through the first four games. Bogle missed last week's game with a foot injury and hopeful to return tonight. Senior receiver Bode Wagner is probably the fastest player on the Red Mountain roster and will sometimes be used in the backfield. 

"This game is going to be a lot more challenging then the first five," Wagner said of Highland. "I believe we're an Open caliber team. (Tonight) will determine our toughness and capabilities as far as playing a hard-fought game for all four quarters."

Knutson still Charging for D-1 offers

McClintock quarterback Jaxon Knutson is not only tearing up 5A competition, but the senior is making his presence on a national level.  Midway through the season, the 6-3 senior is averaging 370 passing yards per game, which ranks No. 5 in the nation. His 25 touchdowns also put him top five nationally in terms of a per-game average.

But perhaps the most impressive stat amongst all those gaudy numbers: one interception.

It's a phenomenal ratio, and Knutson's arm is a big reason McClintock (6-0) has dominated opponents this season.

It also raises the frustrating question about Knutson's recruitment...or in his case, under-recruitment.

As of this week, he is still flying under the radar of Division I schools.

"So far Northern Arizona and Montana have showed the most interest," Knutson said. "Those are two school's I would like to go to. I talk to both coaching staffs and I've been on visits to both." 

Jaxon Knutson has thrown for 1,851 yards 25 touchdowns through five games. (Photo by Taryn Ka'ahanui)

Never say Never

There's still time for Knutson to gain the attention he deserves. Recruiters often work in mysterious ways...or at least without much patience. Like Black Friday shoppers, they want everything as soon as possible and assume the best deals come early.

Specifically with QB's, it seems that if a kid hasn't raised varsity eyebrows by his sophomore year, then he's past his D-I recruiting 'prime'.
Higley senior Luke Haugo played only two games as a junior, due to transfer rules and injury. He committed to Arizona before this season began.

As mentioned, it pays to be on the radar early. 

Knutson was not, but he had a great junior season, and is now on pace for a historical numbers. A deep playoff run would certainly help. Not only for Knutson, but teammates, as well as the image of the program.

Brock Purdy carved a similar path at Perry High. He played well as a junior, and brilliant as a senior with a 6A state championship run. It wasn't until after that 2017 season that he got attention from the D-1 football world. Things worked out for Purdy.
A similar journey for Knutson is not far fetched. McClintock has struggled for the better part of two decades, with the last playoff win coming in 2005. Third year coach Micah Fell has authored an impressive turnaround, and Knutson has a great shot at putting the Chargers back on the Arizona map before all is said and done.