Anna De La Cruz is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Hamilton High School for AZPreps365.com

 

GILBERT -- Hamilton High School continued its dominance on the road Friday night conquering Perry High School 42-7 in a battle of East Valley programs.

The 82-degree Arizona night helped promote an electric atmosphere from both fanbases at Arizona College Prep High School football stadium. The Perry football stadium was flooded,  which necessitated the move to the alternate site. 

The Huskies got on the board quickly, scoring their first touchdown of the game with 8:42 remaining in the first quarter. Nicco Marchiol, Hamilton's senior quarterback, made a sublime throw to junior Nick Switzer, making the score 7-0.

“The offense was a lot better,” said Switzer. 

The Pumasdefense was able to limit the damage in the first half, only allowing one more touchdown. At intermission the Huskies led 14-0.

“They did a great job of managing the clock to really shorten the game in the first half,” said  Huskies coach Michael Zdebski. “We were really good in terms of the discipline."

Despite their team being down, the Perry student section was fired up, stoking a lot of energy to their players. 

Hamilton scored another touchdown at 7:55 of the third quarter on a pass from Marchiol to senior Christian Anaya, who has been a varsity starter for three years now. 

 

Hamilton’s game-plan remained the same for this game. “The way we prepared all week and our mentality going into the week, that’s just treating every opponent the same,” said Marchiol. “With the help of my receivers tonight and the guys up front, we got the job done.”

Marchiol’s offense helped him complete his plays by stopping the Perry defense. “When you have an offensive line like I do where you are 250-plus upfront and guys that want to compete and get better all the time, then it is hard to get to me,” said Marchiol. “With my receivers really, really good 2023 class, they are really confident and go up and get the ball and run really clean crisp routes, so I am really grateful for it.”

Marchiol finished the game with four passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown of his own. 

Not only is Marchiol good with the ball in his hand, but he is also able to contribute to his team by reading the way other teams are set up for defense. “Nicco is really good at reading the defense,” said Switzer. “If he knows something is not going to work, he will call it off.”

Swtizer also contribute with 121 rushing yards on 12 carries. "The offense moved a lot better,” he said.

Perry’s lone touchdown came in the fourth quarter to avoid the shutout.

 

“We finally hit some plays in the second half, which we needed,” said Zdebski. His team was able to put up 28 more points in the second half to secure the win.

With Friday night’s win, the Huskies moved on to a 5-0 record. 

“A little bit of luck,” said Zdebski, when asked how the Huskies are undefeated. A little bit of luck and a lot of talent. And excellent coaching.