Last year Mesquite took a huge step forward in erasing the memory of two sub-par seasons (2011 and 2012). The Wildcats got back to respectability with an 11-2 season and a D-II semifinal appearance.

Gilbert High is hoping Thursday night's season-opening 27-14 win over Mesquite can be a springboard to something similar for  the Tigers, who have had their share of tough seasons the past two with a total of five wins. Transfer quarterback Nick Nezami tossed three, first-half touchdown passes as Division I Gilbert dominated play against its city neighbor to the west at Mesquite High.

With a big, experienced offensive line and capable skill players, Gilbert was solid for 45 of the 48 minutes on Thursday playing without head coach Tim Rutt. Rutt is on paid leave by the Gilbert district as it concludes an investigation that has so far cleared Rutt of wrongdoing. Assistant coach Jared Baker was acting head coach for Gilbert on Thrusday.

The Tigers dominated the line of scrimmage and were effective in whatever mode of moving the ball they chose. They took full advantage of youthful Mesquite, which is rebuilding after losing 33 seniors and returning only five starters.

Nezami, who transferred in from Texas during the spring, completed 9-of-14 passes for 128 yards and three scores in his first two quarters of action. On his first series guiding the Tigers, he marched them 55 yards in seven plays. Nezami capped the drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Trey Colbert, one of fourplayers involved in the receiving department. The drive took just more than two minutes.

Nezami tossed TD pass No. 2 early in the second period to cap a 73-yard drive. The TD recipient this time was Rico Yanez from 26 yards out to make it 13-0 with 9:17 to halftime.

Gilbert's defense, which held Mesquite to 89 yards in the first half and kept the Wildcats deep in their territory the majority of the game, came up with a turnover to set up the third TD of the half. Linebacker Chase Cahalan pounced on a fumble at the Mesquite 9 with just more than two minutes left before intermission. Nezami wasted little time in striking again, flipping a pass in the flat to Jamian Maes for a 9-yard tally.

Gilbert might have scored more in the opening half, but Nezami was picked off twice deep in Mesquite territory. Mesquite threatened just once in the first half reaching Gilbert's 25. The Wildcats tried a 42-yard field goal on the final play of the half, but it was blocked.

Nezami finished his Gilbert debut completing 16 of 25 for 198 yards. Nezami's distribution was excellent with Maes catching five passes for 63 yards, Colbert (5 for 44), Yanez (3 for 40) and Adam Kochheiser (2 for 41). Running back Cameron Minettakept Mesquite honest by carrying 17 times for 86 yards. He was spelled in the third period by Mario Meza, who scored Gilbert's final TD with 11:46 left in the game on a 6-yard run.

Gilbert lost focus in the final minutes of the game, committing two turnovers. This time the miscues didn't stop drives -- they led to points for Mesquite.

Mesquite linebacker Nick Young recovered a Gilbert fumble inside the Gilbert 10 with under five minutes to play. Quarterback Austin Brice scored on a fourth-and two play at the 2 to make it 27-7 with 2:55 to play. Two plays later Mesquite defensive back Ryne MIller intercepted Gilbert's Dane Stankiewicz at the Gilbert 48 and took it the distance for a second Wildcats' TD in 42 seconds.

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