Game No. 1 of the season is in the books, and Desert Edge High School’s football team earned its first win.

Its 34-24 win over Prescott High School showcased a stacked roster of athletes and a true test of toughness. 

Prescott High School showed it can play four full quarters of football. Head coach Cody Collett said he was proud of his team for battling.

“People consider Desert Edge one of the top-10 teams in the state and today we just came up short,” he said. “We feel like we have a very good football team.”

Prescott started the game running the ball up the left side of the field and putting pressure on the defense of Desert Edge.

The Scorpions head coach Jose Lucero said Prescott is a tough team that got after it and hit them in the mouth early. Prescott was able to hit a couple play actions and with its three back option and quarterback Dellinger Boyd, made for a successful running game. 

“We responded well in the second half to Prescott and got tough when we needed it,” Lucero said. “Kids were making plays, in the right spots and wrapping up.”

Coach Lucero said his team has several players who are blessed with talent and if his offense can get the ball in space, players such as Andrew Patterson, Keith Mckaney and Jihad Marks will be able to show their athleticism out on the edge.

And all three players made big plays in the game. 

Sylas Espetia was the dominating ball carrier for Prescott. He scored first after a 1-yard rushing touchdown off a handoff from Boyd to cap a 13-play drive.

Clay Gross hit the extra-point to give his team the 7-0 lead. 

But that lead didn’t last long as Marks returned the ensuing kickoff for a 95-yard touchdown. Matthew Alcerreca executed on the PAT and the game was tied.

But Prescott regained the momentum when Sam Giordan took a handoff 5 yards into the end zone with 22 seconds left. Desert Edge continued to work, and its offense came up big when Adryan Lara connected with Keith Mckaney for a 40-yard touchdown.

But a bad snap on the extra point left Desert Edge trailing 14-13. 

Prescott’s Gross hit a 25-yard field goal and improved his team's lead to 17-13. 

Desert Edge answered with a 38-yard completion from Lara to Mckaney, followed by two straight passes to Marks and a touchdown pass to Marques Miller, putting Desert Edge back on top 20-17. 

Lara and Patterson then connected on a big 55-yard pass play for a touchdown to improve Desert Edge's lead, 27-17. 

Prescott scored one final time thanks to a 63-yard reception from Boyd to Brayden Nelson. Four plays later, Boyd and Trey Koehler connected. 

But, led by solid blocking, Isabien Ramos found the end zone for Desert Edge for the final score of the game. 

Prescott will head back on the road next week in its match-up against Canyon Del Oro in Tucson, and Desert Edge will take on Moon Valley.