CAMP VERDE — Cashis Grimwade caught two touchdown passes and added two interceptions in a big matchup between likely the best teams in the 2A Agua Fria region as No. 4-ranked Phoenix Christian came out on top 20-13 on Friday night.

It is the fourth straight win for the Cougars (6-1, 3-0 2A Agua Fria), which have a bye in Week 8 and a potential clear path to a region crown if they can get past Cortez two weeks from tonight.

“We’ve talked a lot about this week, and we had a big message last night about overcoming. And tonight, they overcame a lot of obstacles, a lot of penalties, some unfortunate plays that didn’t go our way and turnovers,” Phoenix Christian coach Jason Kindred said. “But they overcame, so I’m really proud of them. The strength of these guys, we pray together, spend time together, God has a hand on this team. It’s a great group of kids.”

In the first quarter, Phoenix Christian took a 7-0 lead after quarterback Michael Harmon found Grimwade over the middle as he sprinted for a 46-yard touchdown with 10 minutes to play in the period.

Camp Verde’s first two possessions didn’t go well with a pair of three-and-outs, and the Cougars took full advantage, running play after play for 3, 4 and 5 yards until finally, Grimwade again got behind the defense on a 52-yard toss from Harmon, giving Phoenix Christian a 14-0 lead with 6:45 to play in the first half.

After the score, Grimwade recorded an interception from his safety position, giving the ball right back to the Cougars.

“He wasn’t playing football at the beginning of the season, but he’s out here making big plays,” Kindred said of Grimwade, who is a basketball player and decided to come out for football a few weeks into the season.

Camp Verde would eventually get the ball back, and thanks to a sideline penalty by the Cougars, were set up for a 26-yard touchdown pass from Brayden Walsworth to Rylace Butler with 2 seconds left, making it a 14-7 game at the break.

In the middle of the third quarter with Phoenix Christian threatening, Camp Verde’s defense stepped up big time as Jackson Paceley recorded an interception at the Cowboys’ own 1-yard line, then Thaine Cook took it to the house on a 99-yard sprint down the sideline to make it a 14-13 game with 5:23 left in the third quarter.

But Phoenix Christian would answer as Z’yeon Rondon recorded a 1-yard touchdown run to give the Cougars a 20-13 lead with 34 seconds left in the third quarter and held on to win.

BASKETBALL TO FOOTBALL

In five games played before Friday night’s contest on the road, Grimwade had six catches for 180 yards and three scores. Not bad for a kid who wasn’t sure he was going to play at all this season.

“I’m a basketball player, and I really like playing basketball, but I started taking football serious,” said Grimwade, adding that he’s had to make some adjustments on the field rather quickly this fall.

“They recently threw me in at safety, and I think I’m improving. My touchdowns, I just went out there and kept running full speed. My quarterback Mike [Harmon], I love that dude, he always sees me open,” Grimwade said.

UP NEXT

No. 13 Camp Verde (3-3, 2-1 2A Agua Fria) travels to Cortez on Friday, Oct. 11, with a kickoff time set for 7 p.m. After that it’s a sprint to the finish, with two straight home games before wrapping up the regular season on the road at Madison Highland on Oct. 30.

Phoenix Christian has a bye in Week 9, then plays at home against Cortez on Oct. 18, 7 p.m.

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on X at @AzPreps365Brian or on Facebook at @Five2MediaWorks. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.