Joe Dickerson, staff writer for Gilbert Christian Yearbook Journalism. Gilbert Christian High School. Gilbert, Arizona. Friday, September 6, 2019.

Marcus McWilliams(16) after making the game-winning interception. 

On Friday night Gilbert Christian (2-1) defeated San Tan Foothills (0-3) 17-14. The Knights and the Sabercats have battled in some tight games over the past couple of years. In 2016 and 2017 Gilbert Christian won two close games, at 37-34 and 36-33, respectively. Last year San Tan broke through with its first-ever win against the Knights, winning 34-16. Gilbert Christian returned to its winning ways, though, in what was again a very entertaining game. 

Gilbert Christian’s junior kicker Jace Feely (13) recovered an onside kick on the opening kickoff of the game. On the second play from scrimmage, running back Matt Hershey (5) scored from 48 yards out to give Gilbert Christian a 7-0 lead. On the ensuing Sabercats possession, a fumble was recovered by Gilbert Christian senior captain Joe Dickerson (63), which set up senior Weston Zierer (1) for a 30-yard touchdown run. San Tan foothills sophomore Brett Lincoln (12) would later score to cut the Knights lead in half heading into halftime. Late in the third quarter Jace Feely (13) would make a 30-yard field goal, extending the lead to 17-7. That field goal would prove to be crucial, as the Sabercats scored, making it 17-14 with six minutes to go in the fourth quarter. After multiple pass interference penalties that extended the Sabercats’ final drive, Gilbert Christian junior Marcus McWilliams (16) intercepted Brett Lincoln (12) to seal the win for the Knights. 

Matt Hershey (5) holds for kicker Jace Feely (13) on what would be the game-winning field goal late in the third quarter. 

Gilbert Christian (2-1) will head into a huge road game against rival Scottsdale Christian (1-2), riding its first back-to-back wins since October of 2017. Scottsdale Christian picked up its first win of the season over Scottsdale Prep this past week. San Tan foothills will have a bye week as it still searches for its first win of 2019. Gilbert Christian will play at Scottsdale Christian at 7:00 next Friday, September 13th.