By Don Ketchum

Friday night’s Class 2A Central Region game between Phoenix Scottsdale Christian and host Chandler Valley Christian was billed by some as a preview of the state championship.

One or both teams indeed could reach that pinnacle, but as the game played out, it was evident that the gap in talent between them and teams such as Phoenix Northwest Christian, Yuma Catholic, Willcox and St. Johns might not be as wide as first thought. In fact, there might not be a gap at all.

Scottsdale Christian relied on a tough defensive effort and a long touchdown run on a broken play for a 17-3 victory, raising its record to 3-0. Defending state champion Valley Christian fell to 3-1.

“This was a boost to our confidence, knowing we can play with those other teams,’’ said senior nose guard Luke Siwek.

“I was kind of tearing up, because this was the first time since 2007 that we’ve beaten them.’’

Scottsdale Christian had scored a combined 84 points in its first two wins, over Phoenix Bourgade Catholic and Phoenix Arizona Lutheran, but its offense struggled mightily in the first half against Valley Christian. Scottsdale Christian had just seven total yards in the first half while nursing a 10-0 lead.

The points came as the result of the defense keeping Valley Christian deep in its own territory and setting up the Scottsdale Christian offense with good field position. Matt Taylor booted a 35-yard field goal with 6:20 left in the half, and the Eagles got on the board again at the 2:37 mark on a 45-yard punt return for a touchdown by freshman Levi Derry.

Valley Christian had scored 112 points in its first three games, but Friday night, the offense was but a shadow of its former championship self once led by Jordan Morgan, who was The Arizona Republic’s Small School Player of the Year as a junior. Morgan is now at Lakeside Blue Ridge.

Three Smurf-size players usually lined up in the backfield with the team’s best player, Drew Bond, lining up wide most of the night. Valley Christian had just 33 yards in the first half. Valley Christian finished the game with 164 yards. Bond had six catches for 63 yards.

Valley took the second-half kickoff and had a 10-play drive, only to fall short on a 29-yard field-goal attempt.

Early in the fourth quarter, Valley Christian began a possession at its 20 and reached as deep as the Scottsdale Christian 2, but had to settle for an 18-yard field goal by Zach Longanecker, avoiding what would have been its first shutout in seven years.

The field goal came with 4:51 left in the game, making it 10-3, but lightning struck on Scottsdale Christian’s first play from scrimmage. Running back Chauncey Wright burrowed into the front line, kept his legs churning and Valley’s defense did not wrap him up. He broke away and sped to a 65-yard touchdown with 4:33 left. That essentially iced the game.

Scottsdale Christian coach Jeff Fox was pleased with his team’s gritty effort.

“We preach all the time about bend but don’t break. We (defense) made it difficult on them, not giving up the big play,’’ he said. “It was a game of field position, particularly the first three quarters.’’