Andrew Dirst is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Valley Lutheran High School for AZPreps365.com

The Valley Lutheran Flames suit up at home today, Sept. 30, for an in-region contest against the Heat of Madison Highland Prep.

Through five weeks, Lutheran is 2-3 overall and 2-0 in region play. Last week’s 56-0 shutout of the San Carlos Braves, and the 64-8 rout of the Coronado Dons the week prior, have set up the Flames well going into this tough region matchup.

“We needed those wins,” sophomore starting quarterback Ethan Brown said. “We need to keep that energy. We’ve had that energy in practice. We can keep that for the game.”

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t improvements to be made. Brown threw for 108 yards and a touchdown, but also an interception. Brown said he’s looking to be calmer in the pocket, and to be patient and let the play develop.

“Last game, that’s what I failed at a little bit in the first half,” he said. “So, if I can work on that, that’d be perfect.”

The offense, led by senior running back Jason Stanfield, was electric against San Carlos, catapulting on the ground with 230 yards on 22 carries. Stanfield himself rushed 15 times for 183 yards and four touchdowns.

The Heat lost their last game 41-31 against Shadow Mountain to drop to 3-3 on the season and 1-2 in the 2A Verde region.

With Lutheran only allowing opponents eight points in the last two weeks, the Flames’ defense feels confident and ready going into this matchup.

“We’ve been practicing their defense, and we’ve been going against it, so we know what they’re gonna do,” said freshman strong safety Cole Henley. “I’m pretty confident. I know our skill and I know what we could be.”

Henley leads the team with three interceptions, all in last week’s shutout against San Carlos. His and the secondary’s impressive play, despite their youth, have been an inspiration for the rest of the squad.

“It does good for the team in general, just because of the fact that they’re young and they’re getting it, and when the older guys see the younger guys get it, it makes a change,” said assistant coach KiAndre Whitmore. “[Instead of] the young guys looking up to the older guys, now, we can all look up to each other.”

The Heat defense, allowing just 14 points or less in four of their six games, looks to be a tough matchup for the Flames. But the Lutheran offense is looking to continue its hot streak as well.

“We know they run cover two, so we know that the middle is going to be wide open for the pass,” Brown said. “We’ve got good running backs, so we’re gonna trust our running backs, and we’re gonna trust our line.”

Madison Highland Prep looks to be a disciplined team, and Whitmore said that Valley Lutheran needs to execute on the little things and do their assignments.

“It’s a lot of gameplan, it’s a lot of teaching the little things,” said head coach Jason Stanfield Sr. “That’s our goal, that’s what we practice to do: stay consistent in what we do.”