A pair of Gilbert schools with identical 2-1 records meet in Division I play on Friday.

Gilbert travels to Mesquite on Friday in an intra-city rivalry that may just set the tone for the rest of the season. After a 47-7 loss against No. 2 Mesa Desert Ridge, the Tigers have strung together wins over Gilbert Highland and Mesa High. Quarterback Mitchell Trail has been steady, connecting on 58 percent of his passes for 732 yards and four touchdowns in the first three weeks. Jared Johnson has averaged just over 100 yards on the ground to give Gilbert a balanced attack.

Mesquite also has beaten Highland and edged Mesa Red Mountain in week two. But the Wildcats ran into trouble last week against fourth-ranked Chandler. Before the weather cut the game short, Mesquite was already short-handed as quarterback Steven Bevan sat out following his concussion a week earlier. He practiced during the week but was not cleared before the game. Then, backup Ryan Diedrick was ejected after a personal foul penalty, leaving Mesquite scrambling for a signal-caller. The Wildcats ended up only playing a minute and a half into the third quarter before officials called the game. Diedrick now has to sit out the mandatory one game after being ejected but Bevan should be available. In any event, Mesquite hopes running back Anthony Lopez has a big game.

A win for the Tigers bodes well going into a matchup with Red Mountain next week with three ranked teams looming in the final five weeks of the season. Mesquite, which had high hopes coming into the season, has to go to No. 1 Chandler Hamilton next week and Scottsdale Chaparral, No. 2 in Division II, two weeks after that.

-Al Bravo