Jordan Talley is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication student assigned to cover San Tan Charter High School for AZPreps365.com.

GILBERT— Rain or shine, the San Tan Charter football squad (7-1, 4-0 Region) dominated the Lincoln Prep Lightning (2-6, 0-3) in a 68-0 victory Thursday night, claiming the Roadrunners’ second consecutive regional title.

After an unexpected schedule change, due to possible severe weather, moving their Friday night matchup to Thursday night lights, the San Tan Charter Roadrunners came out with their first shutout of the season, making this its fifth straight game of allowing seven points or less.

The Roadrunners started the night with a bang on the Lightning’s opening drive with an interception by sophomore defensive back Jake Fury on the Lincoln 14-yard line.

Just under three minutes was the time it took for the Roadrunners to pull away with the lead when sophomore quarterback Luke Cardis found senior wide receiver Brody Prassas in the end zone on his first pass attempt of the game.

“I think our sophomore quarterback is doing some really, really good things,” coach Chase Cartwright said.  “He’s surrounded by two whole groups of skill and guys that are excited to make plays for him when the ball’s in the air.”

Cartwright had nothing but praise for his starting quarterback after the matchup, following a stellar night for the sophomore after Cardis’s first incompletion of the matchup didn’t come until late in the second quarter.

“He’s a football junkie, a real student of the game,” Cartwright said. “He’s the first out to practice, and he’s constantly working on his craft.”

Senior wide receiver Timi Akinyoyenu was also a standout as he was seen on the field for almost every snap. 

Along with playing wide receiver and defensive back, Akinyoyenu is the go-to kicker for the Roadrunners.

“I love the fact that I get to really help out my teammates[on all sides of the ball],” Akinyoyenu said. “I love the fact that when I make good plays, they encourage me, and when they make good plays, I do the same for them.”

Four of the nine touchdowns the Roadrunners scored were direct results of a phenomenal defensive outing.

In total, the San Tan defense was able to accumulate three interceptions, with two of those resulting in pick-sixes.

A  fumble was also a highlight for the defense when Parassas forced out the ball and returned it for his third touchdown of the night, all occurring within the first 12 minutes of play.

“We really keep everything as simple as we can possibly keep it,” defensive coordinator Todd Peat said. “If there is something they haven’t seen on film, our guys are smart enough and steady enough that if this happens, then that, if that happens, then this. It’s really just teaching them the rules of what we want to do as a unit and getting them to commit.”

As the Roadrunners gear up for their last regular game of the season and the playoffs, Carwright said there is still room for improvement.

“Hopefully, we can continue to get better and clean some things up,” Cartwright said. “I’m still not too happy with some of the procedure penalties.”