The ​Valley Christian Trojans have established themselves as one of Arizona’s top 3A high school football programs and have started off with a 2-0 season that began with a stunning 38-24 win over defending state champions Snowflake. Their playoff expectations continue to rise ahead of playing the Gilbert Christian Knights on Friday night.

​With two wins under their belt, the Trojans want to continue their success on the football field. The Trojans (2-0) are one game ahead of the Knights (1-1) and are one out of three other high schools leading the 3A conference with a 2-0 record.

​“We expect to go really far in the playoffs and we’ve had a really good start. We think we can get as close as we can to the top four,” Valley Christian head coach Jake Petersen said.

​This will be the first matchup between both football programs. Valley Christian and Gilbert Christian have competed against each other in other sporting events but never in football. This game will bring plenty of spectators to watch.

​“We’ve never played against each other in football. We have confidence going into the game knowing that we’ve had a football program a lot longer than they have, so we have more experience than they do,” Petersen said.

​The Trojans are experienced and ready to take on the Knights. This is a rivalry that is now just being started among the football programs and will continue to be a rivalry between the two Christian schools.

The Knights are not as experienced as the Trojans but are not nervous about their matchup on Friday night. Expect them to play with passion and grit.

“I expect a team that is going to give their best effort on every play, we’re gonna do our best to execute,” Gilbert Christian head coach Danny Norris said. We’re gonna enjoy the game and do everything that we can do to be successful.”

Both schools have different playing styles. The Trojans have a run and pass game that has been shown in their last two games. Trojans quarterback Hunter Heeringa leads the 3A Metro East in passing yards, wide receiver Austyn Gerard leads the division in receiving yards and running back Kaden Majercak, leads the division with almost 400 yards in two games. Petersen will be looking to lean on his seniors to be the key players of this game.

​“We’re balanced so if they put another guy over the top of me and double team me, we can run down the field. And, if they put another guy in the box, we can keep passing too,” Gerard said.

 While the Knights are more of a passing team. Expect to see them run and pass the ball due to them knowing that the Trojans are very great at both running and passing.

 “This week we are going to have to win upfront on the offense and defensive line," Norris said. "We are really looking for our lower classmen to step up and play great football and play tough for 48 minutes."

Gilbert Christian is not in the same division as Valley Christian, competing at the 2A level. Even though they are not leading their conference or division, expect a battle till the end. Gilbert Christian will be having players play on both sides of the ball.

​It will be a showdown to see who is the best school in the East valley. Emotions will be high. Players don’t know what to expect, but some say that there is already bad blood between the two.

​“Playing a team for the first time is always an interesting experience, but there is a rivalry between us,” Trojans running back/ linebacker Justin Regeher said. “It's personal.”            ​