Austin Hepola is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Desert Vista for AZPreps365.com

Most high school football programs around the valley are approaching their respective bye week. 

Some teams use this time to reflect on the first half of the season, while others use it to prepare for the second half. 

Desert Vista is doing a little bit of both. 

It hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows for the Thunder as they have lost four of their first five games.

In those five games, they have been outscored 191-90.

Even though the Thunder have had a slow start, head coach Nate Gill sees the teams growing as each game passes. 

“We’ve played extremely well in spurts. We’ve struggled a little stringing it all together over the course of a game,” Gill said. “I do feel that the guys are comfortable in our system now and the way we want to do things. I expect us to put together complete games in the second half.”

Desert Vista is going through a bit of a rebuilding phase.

The Thunder are being led by Gill, who is in his first year as their head coach. 

Chemistry is something that can’t be formed overnight, but the message is clear for the Thunder -- play every game like it may be your last. 

“We are still upbeat and competing everyday and getting a little better every time out,” Gill said. “I just let them know that your days playing this game eventually come to an end and you don’t get to decide when. Everything you have, everytime you get the chance while you have it.”

As for the second half of the season, Desert Vista will look to make a quick turnaround in order to sneak into the playoffs. 

The Thunder are set to play Highland (3-2), Corona del Sol (4-1), Brophy Prep (1-4), Cesar Chavez (3-2) and Desert Ridge (1-4) to finish out the regular season. 

Chances of making the playoffs are low, but not zero percent.

That's all the Thunder need to hear. 

“Expectations are always high,” Desert Vista athletic director David Klecka said. “Make a run and sneak into the playoffs, I want everyone to get better and finish strong.”

Klecka experssed strong support for Gill.

“Coach Gill is working hard and instilling his values on his team,” Klecka continued. “This is a process and we need to be patient. I expect nothing but positives moving forward.”

The players know they are going to have to continue playing hard to make a playoff push. After what they went through in the first half of the season, the Thunder can use those experiences to better prepare them for the second half.

For the seniors, it’s now or never. This applies to linebacker Antonio Delgado, a team leader for the Thunder.

He knows what is at stake.

“I’m hoping these aren’t the last five (games),” Delgado said. “We’re shooting for playoffs but these games are going to mean a lot for me since they’re my last shot at making it high at the next level. I’ve been keeping in everything during the process and not letting the results take over.” 

As the Thunder are looking ahead at their next matchup against the Highland Hawks, they realize what needs to be done.

It won’t be easy. They will be put to the ultimate test.