Julian Khoury is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Horizon High School for AZPreps365.com

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Amid a week of violent storms across Arizona where classes were canceled, golf ball-sized hail fell and thunder struck, what was to come next was sure to be uncertain.

For Horizon football, ambiguity is no stranger, as its previous playoff run ended on a last-second field goal in an upset loss to Desert Mountain.

However, the harsh lightning of the past struck again in the present and spoiled senior night for the Huskies, as the Wolves came out victorious 24-15.

“Records don’t mean anything in rivalry games,” said former NFL receiver Dez Bryant. With both teams coming in at 7-1, it was truly arguable which side could come out on top.

Seemingly in most high-pressure matches, it comes down to who can make the fewest mistakes and which side will capitalize on free gifts.

Down by five points, in a hostile environment with full bleachers decked out in green, gold and black on the home side, Desert Mountain received the kickoff at half and gave Horizon a taste of its own medicine.

Fourth-year running back Ryan Cratty took the Wolves all the way down to the goal line, where just a quarter earlier the Huskies made a goal-line stand, forcing a field goal.

This time, Desert Mountain had a trick up its sleeve.

As coaches started yelling from the sideline and personnel ran on and off the field, it was a chaotic scene that was tough to decipher.

Two tight ends stacked one behind the other, behind a complete offensive line, with three receivers still lined up on the edges. The difference: Instead of third-year quarterback Jake Pilarcek lined up in the shotgun, it was senior wide receiver Evan Dowd, creating a wildcat formation.

The Horizon defense recognized it too late, and after a few fake snap counts and with Dowd’s offensive line creating the perfect gap, he was into the end zone with seven minutes remaining in the third quarter.

As the Huskies’ offense came back onto the field, now down 17-15, it was up to its newfound leader, third-year quarterback Kai Knudson , to lead a drive downfield. With a small deficit, despite a strong opening drive from the Wolves, the game was still very much in reach for the previously ranked No. 2 team in 5A.

Throughout the night, the battle in the trenches was tough going for one side more than the other. The Huskies struggled  to keep a clean pocket, and Knudson  was constantly on the move.

Run-pass options were his best friend, as the presence of three-star third-year running back Dylan Brush ostensibly took all of the defense’s attention.

On a handoff to the near side of Horizon’s sideline, Brush weaved through a couple of defenders and, as he was about to take a hit to the legs, hurdled the defensive back. 

As everyone on the home side erupted with excitement and couldn’t believe what had just taken place, that joy was quickly wiped away and a downward spiral followed.

Brush was on the turf groaning in pain after taking a big hit when landing from the leap, holding his left wrist as his hand hung limp.

Silence flooded as trainers and coaches rushed onto the field and tended to Brush.

With the momentum seemingly wiped, the next play of the drive ended things 

The pocket collapsed again, and while Knudson sneaked through the line with yards to gain, a peanut punch recovered by fourth-year linebacker Kemper Carroll on Horizon’s own 22-yard line rapidly sent the ball back the other way.

“Our defense has been good all year,” Pilarcek said. “It’s phenomenal.”

Soon after, Desert Mountain found itself right back at the Husky goal line.

Again, back in the wildcat formation, Dowd ran the ball in with ease, and an extra point secured a nine-point lead for the Wolves.

Two touchdowns within minutes were a microcosm of the game for Horizon, as the woes on special teams continued and ball security evaporated.

A blocked extra point in the first quarter was followed by a kick return from fourth-year Jeneral Solomon. On an earlier pass from Knudson  to third-year Colton Johnson , he broke a few tackles and gained enough yards to put the Huskies on Desert Mountain’s side of the field.

Yet, as he was taken down, the ball popped loose and was reclaimed by the Wolves.

Cratty may not have found the end zone, but he was a major piece of Desert Mountain’s success. In the fourth quarter, the Wolves, led by Cratty, drove down the field and ran out the clock, leaving the Huskies with no time to respond.

“We settled down later on in the second half and started to get them with our defense,” Desert Mountain head coach Conrad Hamilton said. “We controlled the ball offensively.”

Desert Mountain’s focus is already on its next opponent, Notre Dame Prep.

“Our motto is we’re hungry enough to eat off the floor, and we’re not satisfied with the championship from last year,” Hamilton said. “We got a bone to pick with them. They kicked our tail last year at their spot.”

For Horizon, the rivalry is far from over. 

“I’m sure we'll see them again before the season ends,” Horizon athletic director Dena Anderson said.