Hannah Flanagan is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Gilbert Highland for AZpreps365.com

The No. 5 Red Mountain Lions defeated the No. 3 Highland Hawks, 28-11, on Thursday at Red Mountain in a big conference game.

Both teams entered the game undefeated at 5-0, with high expectations riding on the matchup.

“We came in here thinking we were just gonna steam roll them because we're Highland,” team captain Grady Crandall said. “We were on fall break, and we just thought we were the better team.”

Highland started strong as senior  quarterback Kalen Fisher connected with junior Max Brown who scored the game’s first touchdown. Highland followed it with a two-point conversion. 

However, it didn’t take long for the Lions to respond, quickly turning the momentum by putting up 10 points in the following drives and applying pressure on both sides of the ball.

Highland kicker Caden Leonard then hit a 38-yard field goal, making it a one-point game, 11-10 going into the half.

The Lions defense dominated this game, making it tough for Highland to establish their run game. 

"They won the line of scrimmage, they were more physical than us," said Hawks head coach Brock Farrel.

Hawks QB Kalen Fisher was consistently hurried by the Lions defense.

“They were just better, they were able to stop the run with a light box, which turned us into a one-dimensional team pretty fast,” Farrel said,

Penalties got the best of the Hawks, interfering with their performance and momentum throughout the game.

Red Mountain’s Jackson Bogle scored two touchdowns in the third, making it, 25-11.

“That's what it's about,” Red Mountain head coach Kyle Enders said, “When we needed the yards, we got the yards”

The Lions were determined to keep their five-game win streak alive, but they knew how tough Highland could be.

“They’ve knocked us out in some big games,” Enders said. “We’ve been on the other end of that.” Enders said,  "We might see them again. They’re a really good football team.”

Highland will have a bye-week next week. In two weeks, it has its homecoming game.

This week the team welcomed some new additions to their roster, including Bosten Renneman, a running back transfer from Eastmark who is expected to make a significant impact on offense.

Having some transfers and big games coming up the Hawks  will be working hard in the next few weeks.

“We are gonna come together as a family,” Crandall said, “We’re not going take fall break off and get focused for next week.”

They will use the loss as a learning lesson while preparing for the future.

“Sometimes losing a regular season game isn’t the worst thing,” Farrel said.  “Wakes you up a little bit and gets you focused.”