Alyssa Raia is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover this game for AZPreps365.

ALA-Gilbert North’s offensive line did not need a highlight reel to prove its impact on Friday night.

The Eagles set the tone from their first scoring drive of the game and never let up, handing Arizona College Prep its first loss of the season with a 35-14 final score in a vital 5A San Tan Region game.

Eagles head coach Ty Detmer said that the game was decided at the line of scrimmage.

“I felt like we won the battle up front tonight,” Detmer said. “That first drive of the second half kind of wore them out and set the tone. Our defense shutting them out in the second half was huge.”

ALA-GN's offense relied on consistent runs by junior running back McRae Skinner with junior wide receiver Isaac Massey and junior wide receiver Cam Shepard adding scores late in the game.

Skinner finished with two touchdowns and several key first down carries that extended drives and kept ACP’s defense out on the field.

”We’ve got a great coaching staff that puts together a good scheme for us,” Skinner said, “Our offensive line keeps moving and pushing, and that effort really helps me. On defense we just play fast and aggressive.”

After the first half, ALA-GN's approach to the game didn’t change too much, it just became more efficient. The Eagles stayed committed to the run game and kept ACP from finding its rhythm offensively. Detmer credited offensive coordinator Juston Wood for not over-adjusting.

”We just stayed patient,” the head coach said. “Coach Wood did a great job of sticking with the plan and trusting the guys to execute.”

The Knights matched the Eagles early, tying the game in the first half. This took place behind senior tight end Austin Spendlove and the Knights as they struggled to move the ball once the Eagles tightened their coverage.

Spendlove said that ACP hurt itself by trying to force plays that weren’t there.

"We started trying to take deep shots, and we just need to get back to the basics,” he said. “We just need to focus on ourselves and have a better week of practice. We know we can play against them and we know that we can beat them.”

By the fourth quarter, ALA-GN had full control of possession and momentum. The Eagles used long drives to drain the clock, while their defense forced punts and an interception to secure the win.

For Detmer, the victory was less about optics and more about execution.

“We made players when they were there,” he said. “That’s what you want to see as a coach—guys doing their jobs and finishing drives.”

ALA-Gilbert North improves to 7-1 overall and 3-0 in region to take control of San Tan Region and continues to build momentum heading into the final weeks of the season. With any hope of having an undefeated season depleted, ACP becomes 7-1 overall and 3-1 in region looks to regroup and regain the same consistency it showed early on in the game