Arizona’s defending Class 5A football champion looks to maintain its hot start to the season behind a surging defense on the road Friday against Verrado High School.

The Williams Field Black Hawks (3-0) have dominated both sides of the ball through three games.

Having outscored opponents 123-6, the Black Hawks are favorites despite traveling to Buckeye to face the Verrado Vipers in a Class 5A non-region matchup. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Verrado.

Had it not been for a last-second touchdown against Ironwood High School, the Black Hawks would have strung together three consecutive shutouts to open the season.

“The defense has been encouraging because we lost nine starters from last year’s team,” Williams Field coach Steve Campbell said. “They have been fantastic.”

Of the nine starters Williams Field lost from last year’s team, three were linebackers, but junior Trey Washburn and seniors Anthony Aleman, Ben Flake and Braeden Roberts have all stepped up to fill the void.

Over the first three games, the linebackers have combined for 29 solo tackles, 69 total tackles and 5 tackles for loss.

Senior defensive tackle Jackson Vaught was a member of last year’s championship team and is one of the players who has stepped up, as well, this season to lead the WFHS defense.

“I am happy with the way the defense has played throughout the first three games and am happy the way our team has been coachable in every game,” Vaught said. “Our coaches have put us in a position to play to our best abilities and place us in a position to play for each other on the field.”

Junior defensive end Christian Foote said he is also pleased with the defensive play early on, but he does not want anyone to get complacent or not fully prepare for their Friday matchup.

Foote said the defense still has a lot to improve upon, and the players have been focusing on doing their jobs and the little things rights during their preparation throughout this week.

Campbell has the same sentiment about Friday’s game. Despite coming off a state championship last season and opening this year with a three-game win streak, the Black Hawks do not want to overlook any opponent, and Verrado (2-1) is no different.

“You worry about yourself and being as prepared as you can as a football team,” Campbell said. “We can’t control Verrado, so we go out and be as prepared as we can be for them.”

Regarding expectations for his team going forward, Campbell said he wants to take it one game at a time, but, like every team, wants to be raising the championship trophy at the end of playoffs.

“Every year, the goal is to win state and be an upper-echelon program,” Campbell said. “You’re not going to win it every year, but to be in contention for it (is the ultimate goal). You don’t lower the bar.”