By Don Ketchum

Which would be more exciting for the Glendale Joy Christian faithful – a whirling, twisting ride at the carnival behind its football field, or a big win over Joseph City?

The answer was easy.

Especially when the 74-24 Division VI eight-man quarterfinal win on Friday night (Oct. 26) was against the Joseph City team that defeated Joy Christian 38-6 in the state championship game last season.

Joy Christian, the fourth seed, remained unbeaten at 9-0 and moves on to the semifinals on Nov. 3 at Phoenix Sunnyslope against either No. 1 seed Scottsdale Prep or No. 8 Phoenix Valley Lutheran.

Joseph City, the No. 5 seed and three-time defending state champion, finished 8-2.

Simply put, Joseph City could not stop the versatile Joy Christian offense.

Joseph City had the ball to start the game and took a 6-0 lead, but Joy Christian quickly took an 8-6 lead and never looked back. It was the first time all season that the Eagles had given up a touchdown to begin the game.

The outcome perhaps meant the most to Nick Henderson, Joy Christian’s quarterback.

On Joy Christian’s first series of last year’s title game, Henderson suffered a torn medial collateral ligament in his knee.

He more than made up for it in this one, completing 22 of 23 passes for 245 yards and six touchdowns. Tight end Trevor Deason caught 10 passes for 149 yards and three TDs.

“It’s a very happy feeling,’’ Henderson said. “To come back and play well after last year means a lot, but my teammates and I have to stay focused. We are looking forward to next week.’’

Joy Christian’s defense also played well, coming up with two fumble recoveries and an interception. The Eagles did not allow any passing yards in the second half and completed just 2 of 16 passes on the night. Much of the second half was played with a running clock, due to the large Joy Christian lead.

“We have lived off turnovers this year. The defense is the key to our success,’’ said Joy Christian coach Brian Cole, who won a (former) Class 5A Division II championship while at Phoenix North Canyon.

“This game was awesome. I am proud of our guys. They came into this game wanting it real bad and they worked hard to get it.’’