Bulldogs hold on to top Red Mountain

Heading into the game, both teams carried momentum and motivation. Queen Creek had clawed through a roller-coaster season, while Red Mountain was riding a wave of confidence

as a strong program in the region. The match-up was more than just another Friday night — it was a chance for bragging rights and to build playoff positioning.

For Red Mountain, it was a chance t o show that their home field advantage and consistent defense could carry them to victory. For Queen Creek, it was about proving resilience and

upsetting expectations.

Under the Friday night lights, the Queen Creek Bulldogs - led by sophomore quarterback Sawyer Hales - delivered one of their most complete performances of the season, edging the Red Mountain Mountain Lions 30-22 in a hard-fought battle.

On offense, Hayles orchestrated the drives with poise, working behind a strong offensive front anchored by seniors like Bear Fisher (TE) and solid line play that opened running lanes for the Bulldogs' backs. At wide receiver, senior pass-catcher Yanniv Djassa made several contested catches, helping convert key third downs when the Mountain Lions' defense tightened up. On defense, Queen Creek's linebackers and secondary — with standouts such as senior R J Jackson and junior Henry Leavitt - held strong against deep balls and pressured Red Mountain's quarterback into hurried throws.

A turning point came midway through the second half when a hard-fought stop on fourth down forced a punt, swinging momentum back to Queen Creek and setting up a go-ahead

touchdown drive.

Red Mountain, meanwhile, leaned o n senior wideout King Robinson and senior cornerback/running back hybrid Kai Jackson, trying t o fuel a n aerial and ground-attack mix that threatened to overwhelm the Bulldogs. Their offense moved the ball with bursts of speed and occasional big gains - but was repeatedly stymied in the red zone by relentless

pressure and tight coverage from Queen Creek's defense. Even a late push, featuring a long pass to a skilled receiver and a solid fourth-down conversion, couldn't break through.

In the final minutes, as the Mountain Lions drove toward potential tying territory, Queen Creek's defensive line collapsed the pocket and forced an incompletion on fourth down - sealing the Bulldogs' gritty, character-building win.

Game Stats:

Queen Creek Bulldogs

QB Sawyer Hales: 14/22, 168 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT

RB David Rosson: 21 carries, 112 yards, 2 TD

WR1 (Bulldogs): 5 receptions, 64 yards

LB RJ Jackson: 13 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 4th-down stop

Queen Creek Defense: 3 sacks, 1 takeaway, 3 red-zone stops

Red Mountain Mountain Lions

QB: 16/28, 209 yards, 1 TD

WR King Robinson: 6 catches, 8 7 yards, 1 TD

RB/CB Kai Jackson: 11 carries, 54 yards; 6 tackles on

defense

Red Mountain Defense: 1 sack, 5 pass breakups

A few things a couple coaches added as well...

Queen Creek Head Coach: "What I loved tonight was our composure. Sawyer ran the offense exactly the way we needed, and the defense showed heart o n every big down.

That's Bulldog football."

Queen Creek Defensive Coordinator: "RJ set the tone. When your linebacker is hitting like that and reading everything in front of him, the whole defense feeds off it."

Red Mountain Head Coach: "We had chances. We moved the ball well, but Queen Creek made the big stops. Credit to them - they didn't flinch when the game got tight."

In the end, Queen Creek's victory was the culmination of preparation, execution, and leadership on both sides of the ball.

Every unit played a role: the offensive line carved out lanes, the running game controlled the clock, the quarterback made smart decisions, and the defense created momentum-

shifting stops at crucial moments. Red Mountain's talent tested the Bulldogs repeatedly, but Queen Creek's discipline and situational awareness ultimately neutralized those threats. Beyond the statistics and highlight plays, the game demonstrated the team's growing identity: a group capable of thriving under pressure, responding to adversity, and executing the plays that matter most when the spotlight is brightest. This statement win not only boosts confidence but sets a blueprint for the remainder of the season, showing that Queen Creek is a team built on grit, resilience, and the determination to finish strong.

by David Adair for Valley Media

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