Spencer West is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Basha High School for AZPreps365.com

The Basha Bears (8-1) scored 29 points in the first half Friday in what would become a dominating 43-7 win over the Casteel Colts (4-5).

Basha’s Demond Williams Jr. showed exactly why he is the top-ranked quarterback in Arizona according to MaxPreps, ending the game with 247 passing yards and 104 rushing yards, resulting in three passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. Williams used his huge throwing arm for multiple 40-plus yard throws, one of which resulted in a touchdown. He also gained big yards on the ground, including a 55-yard run early in the second half. Williams was taken out of the game after scoring his rushing touchdown, which put Basha up 36-0.

Freshman running back Noah Roberts continued to show off for the Bears, gaining 33 yards rushing along with a rushing touchdown, giving the young running back three touchdowns on the season.

Basha head coach Chris McDonald praised his team's dominant performance.

“Demond [Williams Jr.] managed the offense well. I thought we played a really clean game,” McDonald said. “I was really happy with our run blocking and our pass protection. It was just a good, clean game of football.”

For Casteel, it was a disappointing game on both sides of the ball. Senior quarterback Jeremiah Newcombe ended the game with 116 passing yards and 71 yards on the ground, scoring one rushing touchdown while throwing two interceptions. The rushing touchdown was the only scoring play the Colts were able to get on the night.

Colts senior running back Braden Greene led the backfield in touches with 16, culminating in 99 rushing yards on the night. Newcombe and Greene were responsible for a majority of Casteel’s offense for the game.

Casteel head coach Robert Newcombe said his team needs to have better execution on offense and defense, especially with finishing drives.

“We moved the ball fairly well between the 30-yard lines, ran some pretty good run plays, but had some missed routes here and there to put us in some bad spots.” Newcombe said. “They’re a good football team. At the end of the day, they've got some good players. Demond Williams Jr. is a special athlete and player. Sometimes you’ve just got to appreciate the talent, and there’s not a whole lot you can do about that. So, you just do the best you can against him."

The Basha defense was able to contain and control Casteel's offense, allowing only 7 points the whole game. 

“[We had] a good week in practice, just being prepared, not taking them lightly.” Basha cornerback Miles Lockhart said. “Just coming in like it’s a Chandler week. It’s the same thing, the same mentality. But I still feel like we allowed too many points on the board.”

The Bears’ last game of the regular season comes against rival Perry (7-2) in what should be a hard-fought game for both teams. When Basha last faced Perry in 2022, the Bears dominated in a 52-7 win. Perry, now ranked No. 12 in Arizona, will look for a redemption game against Basha.

The game will be played at 7 p.m. Friday at Basha High School in Chandler.