Anthony Yero is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Saguaro High School for AZPreps365.com.

Saguaro needed this.

The Sabercats hadn't clicked in all three phases through two games this season.

That changed Friday night.

Saguaro ran away with a 47-3 homecoming victory over undefeated O’Connor proved to be the ultimate reboot.

“We felt like we had a great week of practice,” head coach Jason Mohns said. “It was the best week we've had, by far. We had good juice, and having that success early confirmed what we were feeling, which is we're figuring it out, we're getting better.”

The convincing win brought the swagger back for the reigning AIA Open Champions.

Devon Dampier was looking to deliver the knockout blow from the opening whistle for an offense that scored just 20 points in the first two games.

The senior quarterback rushed for a first down to prevent a three-and-out on the first drive and delivered a 60-yard completion to sophomore Dajon Hinton to get in the red zone.

Dampier completed the drive with a touchdown toss to senior Chris Nimcheski.

Saguaro’s defense allowed a field goal on the first drive, but the engine was already revving on offense as Dampier connecting on a touchdown strike to junior Joseph Clark.

“We had to start with the ball, and that was kind of a sign of like, we don’t think your offense is really good,” Mohns said. “We went down the field and scored, then got a stop and went down the field and scored again. To me, that was it.”

Saguaro’s defense halted O’Connor’s rush efforts all night.The Eagles run a Wing-T offense, but breathing room was scarce for its rushing attack.

On Saguaro's ensuing offensive drive, Dampier took a read-option and scored his third touchdown of the half. 

O’Connor showed signs of life with a drive that spanned over half of the second quarter, converting twice on fourth down and scoring on a trick play that was called back.

Saguaro’s defense, though, withstood O'Connor's surge and never looked back.

Following the turnover on downs, Dampier led an exquisite six-play, 87-yard touchdown drive in one minute, 39 seconds to extend the hefty lead with time running out in the first half.

“That takes the wind out of teams,” Mohns said. “We’ve been practicing two-minute drills since the summer. That’s why you practice that. As a coach, those are the things that get you excited. It paid off. Now, the next time we ask our kids to do something, they’ll understand because of that situation right there.”

O’Connor made no response coming out of the second half as the Sabercats' defense forced stop after stop. The Sabercats had a sack on third down to force a three-and-out to start the third quarter.

With the offense still rolling, junior running back Jaedon Matthews scored on a 46-yard rush.

Veteran leadership withstood the test of time in Saguaro’s second-half shutout.

Senior cornerback Cole Shivers had a tipped pass on third down and senior defensive lineman Dionte LaMade consistently got to the quarterback.

Saguaro held O’Connor quarterback Cooper King to zero completions in the second half. The Sabercats have only given up three passing touchdowns so far this season.

“Our biggest strength [on defense] is speed,” Shivers said. “Teams are really going to have to run against us, they’re going to have a tough time throwing the ball. We were all on the same page tonight, got lined up really well and just played football.”

On offense, Saguaro breezed its way through plenty of open lanes. 

Senior running back Robert Moore had consecutive first-down rushes to set up Dampier’s fifth touchdown of the night (third passing).

Dampier threw for over 240 yards in three quarters and aired it out consistently for the first time this season. He sees his entire offense reaching limitless levels this season.

“It starts off with the o-line,” Dampier, who rushed for two touchdowns, said. “I barely had any pressure this game. If you saw those holes, man, it was really easy to go through.”

Saguaro was without its leading receiver, senior Deric English, who was on the sidelines. Hinton, Nimcheski and Clark, all underclassmen, caught everything thrown their way.

“We have one of the top receiver cores probably in the nation,” said Dampier. “I believe that they’re going to get open every time.”

The Sabercats prepare for their toughest matchup of the season next week versus Chandler in a rematch of last season's Open Championship.

 The defending champs are excited about its status following Friday’s win.

“We wanted to come out and play Saguaro football tonight, and that’s what we played,” Mohns said. “It’s offense, defense, special teams, it’s energy, it’s passion, excitement and a little bit of a chip on your shoulder.

“We kind of felt like we needed to get our swagger back. It’s like Austin Powers losing his mojo, you knew it was there you just had to find it. It felt like we found our mojo. Tonight was the first time we felt like we met our expectations for ourselves.”