Kendall Flynn is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover North Canyon High School for AZPreps365.com.

North Canyon High School (2-7) won its first home game of the season, beating La Joya Community High School (1-8) 28-0 on Friday, Nov. 4.

The Rattlers hosted La Joya in week nine for their homecoming and senior night game. With their two-game win streak, the Rattlers have built confidence and shown improvement throughout the season, head coach Jeremy Dieck said.

“For the kids, that’s two in a row now, and they’re believing in themselves,” Dieck said. “We came out and were starting to learn that they just have to have confidence and play to their potential.”

Going into the game against La Joya, Billy Bounmy, a senior running back, wanted to ensure he didn’t go backward in yards. In North Canyon’s week eight game against Copper Canyon High School, Bounmy had 200 rushing yards and said he hoped to go into the game against La Joya with the same mindset.

Bounmy started the Rattlers’ lead over La Joya with a 5-yard touchdown with a little over four minutes to go in the second quarter.

“I’m just fast, and I’m not scared of contact,” Bounmy said. “Just try to have positive yards and don’t go backward.”

Bounmy excelled in rushing yards once again for North Canyon, proving his speed capabilities as a running back.

“When we get going,” Dieck said. “We can run the ball.”

The Rattlers lost their starting junior quarterback, Makhi Golston, to an injury in week seven against Kellis. However, he returned for the game against La Joya, and Bounmy said this would positively affect their run game.

North Canyon has struggled with player injuries this season.

“We are trying to get everyone back,” Dieck said. “It’s going to be the first time we are 100% healthy. We’ve never had that. We’ve always had to sub someone in.”

After Bounmy’s first touchdown, the Rattlers suffered a failed field goal attempt but got the ball back from La Joya with an interception by cornerback Damien Achue.

Following the interception, Carlos Castillo, a senior wide receiver for North Canyon, had a 54-yard catch, setting Golston up for a 6-yard touchdown with three minutes left in the second quarter. Jack Villaneuva, a senior offensive tackle, ran for and completed a two-point conversion.

The Rattlers had possession on the 50-yard line starting the second half of the game. Golston and Bounmy continued to prove the power of their run game, leading the team to the 5-yard line. However, the Rattlers suffered a fumble that Golston recovered on the 16-yard line.

Golston completed a 16-yard pass to junior wide receiver Antione Crane with a completed extra kick by kicker Adrian Gutierrez, giving the Rattlers a 21-0 lead over the Fighting Lobos.

In the fourth quarter, Bounmy rushed 7 yards for his second touchdown after a turnover by La Joya at the start. The Rattlers held this 28-0 lead and finished the game with their first win at home and for their homecoming and senior night.

“This was an evenly matched team,” Dieck said. “We really thought it was going to be a dogfight, and we ended up taking it 28-0.”

Diego Parra, a junior cornerback, said his goal for the game was to help out his teammates. Parra and the rest of the defense successfully held back La Joya, despite some of their close touchdown attempts. Dieck said the players especially believe in their linemen.

Dieck said the players have begun believing in their potential and have learned to focus on the game.

“They’re just maturing in front of my eyes late in the season,” Dieck said. “At the end of the season, you want to see all of the hard work you’ve been doing.”

La Joya’s head coach, Adam Beene, was the previous season's head coach for North Canyon. Dieck said the players didn’t focus on this aspect of the game and continued to play for themselves.

“At this point, it’s not about Coach Beene being back,” Dieck said. “It’s about how we’re trying to build this program. We can’t worry about these things and the outside noise. Let’s get better and do what we do and not worry about all that stuff, and they did. They came out and didn’t get caught up in all of that stuff.”

North Canyon (2-7) will play its rival Paradise Valley High School (7-1) on Thursday, Nov. 10. Dieck said he hopes to finish off the season by showing the progress the players have made.

“This is propelling us into next season,” Dieck said. “Whether we beat [Paradise Valley] or not, we are showing now that what we do works. Now, this is just spring boarding us into next year.”