Andrew Lwowski is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Desert Vista High School for AZPreps365.com.

PHOENIX -- Highland High School, who were the state runners-up for the 6A conference in 2020, out-dueled Desert Vista in the Thunder's first real test of the season Friday evening. The Hawk offense soared, scoring 20 points in the third quarter and cracking a once-tight game wide open as they beat the Thunder 30-14.

Desert Vista, which lost 42-10 to Highland in 2020, looked to test its capabilities with a rejuvenated team. The new and improved Thunder looked to measure their championship potential against their toughest opponent thus far.

Desert Vista struck first, scoring on a 51-yard pass play from quarterback Jackson Akins to receiver Michael Allison to take a 7-0 lead. Allison would finish the first half with 70 yards off three receptions.

The Thunder defense began to crack in the waning seconds of the first half, giving up a 7-yard rushing touchdown to the Hawks on a drive that was rush-dominant. The Thunder’s defense could not contain the Hawks' potent offense to start the second half as they scored on touchdowns of 53-, 52- and 19-yard plays. The Thunder responded by punching in a score from five yards out by running back Christian Clark in the fourth quarter, but that was all they could muster.

“They’re a physical football team,” Thunder head coach Ty Wisdom said. “They made plays and that’s just credit to Highland, they’re a good football team. They just made some plays in the third quarter and we just didn’t respond offensively.”

The Thunder’s starting running back, Devon Grubbs, exited the game in the third quarter. His exodus forced Wisdom to make some offensive changes. “You don’t replace a guy like Devon Grubbs,” Wisdom said. “He’s our leader, he’s 504 yards and 10 touchdowns in basically eight quarters. But, you know, Clark gets a ton of reps and he jumped in there and he did a great job.”

Grubbs finished his night with 21 yards off 10 carries before exiting the game. Clark racked up 52 yards and a touchdown in the second half.

Wisdom senses his team is right on the cusp of being championship caliber.

"Those guys (Highland, Chandler and Chaparral) are well-oiled machines," Wisdom said. "Right now we’re young. We have a ton of kids who have never played in a varsity game until this year. We just have to continue to grow and continue to do the little things -- we got to get stronger in the weight room. You play six, seven sophomores starting in the game tonight, we’ll have a chance here in the future.”

Clark, who is only a sophomore, said Wisdom told him it was “his time to shine,” and Grubbs told him to step up for him. “He said do it for him, I tried to do it for him,” Clark said. “Getting the load of the carries, it was something new for me, especially on the varsity level. I did my best and I did it for him.”

Receiver Michael Allison, only a junior but one of the leaders on offense, feels the Thunder need to remain focused after a tough loss where they were one or two plays away from turning the tide. “We got to keep our heads up, keep grinding,'' Allison said. “We know our potential, so we know we can get to that top spot.”

Desert Vista fell to 2-2 on the season and will aim to rebound against another formidable opponent, Hamilton, away next Friday.