Brady Poppler is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism Student assigned to cover Highland High School for AZPreps365.com

In a tale of two halves, the Highland Hawks were victorious over the Red Mountain Lions, 25-15, at Highland High School. 

Red Mountain had to come from behind in the second half to get the win. The Lions took a 12-10 halftime lead into the lockroom. The Hawks needed answers. And they found them.

Highland outscored Red Mountain 15-0 in the final quarter to get the win.

“We told our guys we gotta keep doing what we taught them to do in practice," said head coach Brock Farrel. "Our adjustments weren’t magical. We said we're gonna do a few different schemes. If we stop letting them run through our gaps and be able to get blocks, we will win. Our O-line stepped up (and) Jay Martin ran great. Kalen made some big, big throws.” The Hawks team stepped up on each side of the ball."

Red Mountain only scored a field goal in the final two quarters.

What was the difference in the second half? 

"Basically, we just woke our O-line up," said Fisher. "I pulled them aside and told them we having nothing to worry about, lets just go out and play ball the way we know how.”

It worked. 

Fisher finished with 172 yards in passing yards and two touchdown passes. He had 174 yards in total offense. 

As a team, Highland had 385 yards in total offense to Red Mountain's 333. Running back Jay Martin had 84 rushing yards.

The fourth quarter is where Highland took over the game. Fisher found Greg Toler, Jr  for a 43-yard touchdown and Martin scored on a one-yard touchdown run.

Not to be outdone, the Highland defense performed well, too. It had two interceptions in the final quarter to help seal the win.

“They're a real well-coached team and have a great scheme," said Jason Lyons, Highland's defensive coordinator, said of Red Mountain. "We played more of a bend-but-don’t-break scheme tonight.”

It wasn't easy, given Highland was down for most of the game. But, both the offense and defense found a way.

“We are working through struggles in terms of ourselves turning the ball over," Lyons said. "Credit to the offense, they did a great job at protecting the ball and put the defense in good situations. When we play as a team, we are good enough to play anybody. When we don’t, (we) beat ourselves."

It looked like that could happen early. 

After taking a 3-0 lead on its second drive, Highland fell behind when Red Mountain came right back with a touchdown. It, however, missed the extra point.

Red Mountain started to take control of the half on a field goal to make it 9-3 with 5:57 left.

But just before the half, Hawks' Fisher hit Toler, Jr., for a 39-yard touchdown. After the extra point, Highland took a 10-9 lead.

But with 17 seconds left in the half, Red Mountain hit a field goal to take the lead, 12-10.

The Lions added another field in the third quarter to take a 15-10 lead before, Highland took control of the fourth quarter.

The Hawks are now 4-2 overall. They have a bye next.