Brady Hanson is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Arizona College Prep for AZPreps365. 

Arizona College Prep defeated Moon Valley 28-0 during its Homecoming game Friday night. 

The ACP defense was unbreakable, shutting down the Moon Valley offense and allowing only three first downs. The defensive line was a huge part to this success, stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback. 

“I think they just confirmed who we are,” coach Myron Blueford said. “We have a really good tackling team and we're pretty physical up front. We’re long and fast, so I knew if we loaded the box, it was going to be difficult for them to move the ball.”

Joshua Wan was one of the key role players for the ACP defense, tallying four tackles, including two for loss and a sack, the only ACP sack of the night. On top of this performance, Wan also played running back in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. 

“Our defensive line is really good,” Wan said. “I’ve got to give credit to Cayden Gibson, he had a great game, and our defensive scheme is really solid, allowing us to fly around and make some plays.”

Speaking of Gibson, he had another fantastic night recording seven tackles, four for loss, and even a pass deflected. The most impressive part about Gibson’s performance is the fact that the Moon Valley offense ran most of its plays on the opposite side of the field from Gibson. Regardless of these efforts, Gibson still tore through the Moon Valley offensive line and made his presence felt in the backfield.

Despite this performance from the ACP defense, the ACP offense can not be discredited. Jaxon Castro led the charge, completing 23 of 34 for three touchdowns and one interception. Castro didn’t take many shots down field; most of his completions came on short passes when he rolled left, his weak side.

“The O-line was holding up, they are the reason I could throw the ball,” Castro said. “The receivers were getting open and were the ones making the plays, they were getting the job done.”

Castro’s leading receiver was once again Jake Busot as they connected nine times for 192 yards and two touchdowns. Their highlight connection was a 54-yard catch-and-run that resulted in a touchdown near the end of the first half.

“Over the season we have been building that connection,” Castro said. “I give him the ball, he makes plays. We just seem to have that connection between us.”

ACP (4-1) enters a bye next week. Its next game is  Oct. 14 at home against Seton Catholic, its second sectional opponent of the year.