Alfred Smith III is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Pinnacle for AZPreps365.com

The Pinnacle Pioneers bounced back in their 39-13 victory over the Queen Creek Bulldogs. 

Last week, the Pioneers (2-1) suffered a disappointing loss to undefeated Liberty High School, 49-7, at their home field.

This week, Pinnacle looked to shake that loss off with a game plan that worked to perfection. 

"We beat a great program," Pinnacle head coach Dana Zupke said. "Every year they're very well coached to get a win like this. It's a statement." 

The Pioneers jumped to an early lead in the game.

By halftime, they led, 24-0. 

Last week against Liberty, the Pioneers started the game with intentions of getting their two playmaker receivers the ball.  Some of Pinnacle's first play calls in that game were screens and short passes to Duce Robinson and Myles Libman. 

In Friday's game against Queen Creek (1-2), Pinnacle started the game with a clear intention to run the football.

"As I wore on them, it opened up for Duce," Pinnacle running back Jacobie Rucker said. "And we scored touchdowns. We kept hitting them up top as I was running the ball. We all came out and helped each other."

The Pioneers started the game out somewhat unorthodox with various designed runs. Rucker took various direct snaps from the wildcat position and repeatedly earned positive yards for the Pioneers. 

This game plan allowed the best player in the state, Robinson, to eventually break the game open with three receiving touchdowns in the first half. 

"Our offense was moving today," Robinson said. "Our offensive line was incredible blocking. Jocobie had some runs that he broke."

Both Queen Creek and Pinnacle came out intending to run the football. 

However, the Pioneers forced multiple three-and-outs in the first half.

Pinnacle defenders were flying around, making play after play in the backfield. 

Last week, Queen Creek narrowly edged Saguaro, 13-8. The Bulldogs implemented a heavy dosage of the run game against Saguaro to keep the score within striking distance. 

Pinnacle, as a team, was very aware and prepared for what the Bulldogs would throw at them. 

The Bulldogs could never fully weather the Pinnacle storm in the first half. 

The Pioneers came out in the second half and used Rucker to perfection, manufacturing a seven-minute drive that ended in a failed fourth down conversion. 

However, that failed drive ended up a success for Pinnacle.

It left Queen Creek with a quarter in half left to try to rally back. The Bulldogs gained momentum with a more up-tempo offense, but they never truly did enough to put the game in danger.

This game was a fantastic bounce-back performance by Pinnacle's sophomore QB, Wyatt Horton. 

Last week, Horton threw three interceptions in a disappointing effort.

This week, he was on a roll all night, throwing five touchdown passes.

Horton credits the performance with a great week of preparation. 

"We had a good week of preparation," he said. "Our coaches did well getting us prepared. It was just all around a good week'" Horton said.

Thanks to a bye, the Pioneers are off next week.

So Pinnacle's next test will be against rival Sunrise Mountain High School in a game where Horton says he has "everything" to prove.