A defensive battle between the Highland Hawks and Desert Edge Scorpions ensued during the first 22 minutes of their game Friday.

Credit the defensive lines of both teams for jamming the line of scrimmage.

But with two minutes left in the first half, Highland found an opening. A 60-yard scoring strike from senior quarterback Joseph Walker to senior tight end Cooper Scott on a deep crossing route gave Highland the boost it needed to start dictating the pace during its 27-6 home win.

Highland’s run game eventually took over with the help of its outstanding offensive line.

“I think it energized us,” said Highland coach Brock Farrell about Walker’s pitch and catch to Scott. “I don’t know if it was the turning point, but it showed them that our quarterback is deadly and can pass too."

At the start of the second half, the Hawks continued to wreak havoc on the Scorpions.

A 60-yard drive was highlighted by four monster runs of 58 yards from senior running back Carson Mullenaux. Senior running back Chance Cauthen capped the drive with a 2-yard score to give the Hawks a 13-0 lead.

The Scorpions' lone score occurred with a 1-yard touchdown run from senior running back Christopher Cordero after a 71-yard drive with two minutes left in the third quarter. After a failed two-point conversion, it was 13-6 Hawks.

Heading into the fourth quarter, Highland’s linebackers made the Scorpions’ offense uncomfortable, especially after huge tackles for losses and multiple sacks from senior linebackers Cauthen and Gage Wilcock. With the Scorpions out of sync offensively, the Hawks answered with a 15-yard touchdown run from Cauthen and a 24-yard score from junior running back Eli Kerby to put the game away.

“We did OK in the first half,” Farrell said. “I was hoping that the running game in the first half was kind of like body shots. You don’t see the effect until later in the match, and then we were able to push them around in the second. I think our depth, weight training and conditioning took over."

Cauthen deserved a game ball after the impact he made on both sides of the ball.

“It was awesome to get a win as a senior on Homecoming but more importantly to play all out and play with perfect effort every play," Cauthen said.

Highland and Desert Edge are now 2-1.

The Hawks will play next Friday against the 1-2 Brophy Prep Broncos. Desert Edge will host Ironwood Ridge on the same day.

“Got to continue to trust each other and work together as we move onto Brophy next Friday," Cauthen said.