Gilbert, Ariz. — Mesquite High’s varsity football team will face a tough matchup against the Queen Creek Bulldogs Friday night on the road.

Both teams will be competing in their first Class 5A San Tan Region game of the season. Mesquite (2-4) looks to improve their record, whereas Queen Creek (6-0) will be playing in hopes of maintaining its undefeated season.

“It’s a region game, so of course there is more pressure. We’ve just been going more in depth with the way we learn and practice,” Mesquite cornerback Davarion Lewis said. “Knocking them off would definitely put us on the map knowing we’re a 2-4 team.”

Desperate for a win, the Wildcats look to beat the Bulldogs in order to increase their chances for playoffs.

“Since we’ve lost so many games already, a big win this week could put us in a higher seed for us to go to the playoffs,” Mesquite linebacker Robert Jordan said. “If we don’t win, we have to put our destiny in the hands of other teams and hope they lose so we can have a chance. But we don’t want that to happen.”

This isn’t the first tough matchup for the Wildcats. Mesquite has the second toughest schedule in the 5A conference.

Last week the Wildcats fell short in the final seconds of the game against an undefeated Raymond S. Kellis team, 26-24.

“Last week we lost because we didn’t make enough plays, so right now we are working on making big plays and trying to do the right thing so we don’t get put into a bad position to lose again,” Jordan said.

Competing against an undefeated team in a tight game last week has helped boost the confidence for the Wildcats as they prepare to battle against another undefeated team for the second week in a row.

“If we can stay close with an undefeated team like Kellis, we can stay close with a team like Queen Creek and possibly beat them,” Jordan said.

The Bulldogs offense consists of a versatile running back and a dangerous quarterback making their offense explosive. Queen Creek’s running back, Dylan Borja, averages 97 yards a game. On the other hand, quarterback Devin Larsen, averages over 200 passing yards a game.  

With an intense Bulldogs offense lying ahead, the Wildcats defense has been putting in the extra work this week.

“We’ve been watching a lot of film and breaking down plays. Our defensive backs have been practicing new coverages that we are planning on running to help stop their passing game,” Mesquite defensive back, Billy Seitz said. “Our defensive line is also working really hard on making sure they put pressure on the quarterback.”

Although the Wildcats defense will play a huge part in potentially winning this game, the offense knows it will need to pick it up on the opposite side of the ball. Quarterback Wade Sapergia and wide receiver Deandre Kelsey hope to speed up the offense and lead the team to a victory.

“It’s going to be a tough game, so we have to go hard every play,” Lewis said. “No matter what.”

The two teams will take the battle to the field on Sept. 29 at Queen Creek at 7 p.m. Friday night.