Courtney Dwaileebe is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Valley Christian High School for AZPreps365.com

The Trojans recovered from their first setback of the season to defeat the Gilbert Christian Knights 42-27 during their homecoming game Friday night in Chandler.

Valley Christian (6-1) quarterback Gunnar Link opened the Trojans' first play with a 76-yard touchdown to Will Bastian, which set the mood for the rest of the game. Not to mention Gilbert Christian’s blocked field goal attempt, which Carson Tarr returned for a touchdown just before halftime.

"My team really builds me up and helps me through a lot of stuff, which gives me the leadership role and success that I can have as the quarterback," Link said. "The team supporting me just means a lot. It was an ugly win, but altogether we have improved in many ways."

One thing the game did not lack was penalties. There were well over 20 penalties in this game between both teams. Gilbert Christian (4-3) found itself on the wrong end of most of them, which ultimately led to its defeat. However, late in the third quarter Valley Christian lost the battle on the most controversial call of the game when the wide receiver and the safety both had their hands on the ball and the officials declared it an interception.

Valley Christian head coach Jake Petersen said he may not agree with every call made, but that is an element of the game.

Overall, he said he was glad to have put up as many points as they did, due to challenges they had to work through this week.

"We were a little bit banged up after last week; a lot of people were sick, people were not as focused as they needed to be, just a lot of distractions overall" Petersen said. "Luckily, each week we are executing a little bit better. I think Gunnar was very poised and actually went to elementary and middle school with those guys, so a lot of them know each other very well and have a strong connection."

This was only the second time that these two schools have played football against each other, due to historically being in different divisions. Back in 2021, these two teams played in a cross division matchup, but this is the first time both teams have been in the same conference.

"The Gilbert Christian football team has always played in a smaller division than we did for most of the years of football,” Valley Christian athletic director Greg Haagsma said. "However, they have been playing other sports against us for many years now.”

Looking ahead, Valley Christian will travel for its next two games. First, to Phoenix to face Bourgade Catholic on Friday, October  6. Next, to Payson on Friday, October 20.