Defending 6A champ Highland played Saturday like it had been in Sun Devil Stadium before competing for a state title. The result was claim to back-to-back championships.

Second-seeded Highland pulled together in all facets in the final fifteen minutes, rallying past first-time finalist and #4 seed Pinnacle, 37-26. Highland (11-3) prevailed overturning a 26-14 deficit in the latter stages of the third quarter with a 23-0 run. Big plays and solid offensive were the ingredients for the comeback. It was Highland's third consecutive appearance in the 6A title game. Pinnacle finished 9-5 that included playoff wins over Valley Vista, Queen Creek and #1 seed Casteel. 

"It is just exciting for the whole program and for all of our kids," Highland coach Brock Farrel said. "From the disappointment of not making it to just turning on the page and winning the games that are in front of us and I'm so happy for this group in the way they battled."

Highland's longest scoring play began its comeback. Trailing 26-14, junior running back Eli Kerby rambled 66 yards to cap a four-play drive and pull the Hawks within five points. Highland forced a three-and-out and proceeded to drive 68 yards in 10 plays to regain the lead (27-26) it held most of the first half. Sophomore quarterback Kalen Fisher, a tidy 9-of-15 for 126 yards, connected with Joseph Walter for the go-ahead 8-yard TD. Walter was the Hawks quarterback earlier in the season. 

"He (Kalen) can make every throw on the field, so watch out when he actually knows what he's doing," Farrel said. Pinnacle also started a sophomore quarterback - Wyatt Horton - who was called to throw more than his counterpart. Horton passed for 282 yards, 4 TDs and was picked off twice.

Defense continued to play well for Highland and led to more points. Linebacker Chance Cauthen intercepted a tipped pass by teammate Bertrand Berry to set up the Hawks at the Pinnacle 45. A five-minute drive, led by the grinding running of Kerby, ended with a 29-yard field goal from Crew Crockett. That extended the lead to 30-26 with 2:41 to go.

A minute later Highland produced the dagger. Safety Cole Crandall's interception -- his second of the game -- on a desperation Horton throw ended up the game's final points. Crandall weaved his way to a 63-yard TD return with 1:41 to play.

"That's Highland football," Farrel said. "We have an elite level defense, our guys take pride in what they do. And quite honestly, I wanted to end with the one point lead with our defense on the field. I knew they would pull it out there with this great group."

Highland's rally thwarted the effort's of Horton and his favorite scoring target of the afternoon, senior Myles Libman. The duo collaborated on three scoring strikes - 51 yards, 23 yards and 6 yards -- giving the Pioneers their largest lead of the contest 26-14 after their third connection of the day with 4:43 left in the third quarter. Libman caught five passes for 100 yards.

Posting an even more prolific game except for TDs, was the Pioneers 6-foot-6, 230-pound senior wide out Duce Robinson. Robinson caught nine passes for 175 yards, including a 55-yard scoring strike to begin the second quarter. Robinson is one of the nation's top recruits.

Highland surrendered more yards of offense than it produced - Pinnacle 403 and Highland 343. The Hawks won the turnover battle picking off three passes (one a Crandall pick six) and recovering a fumble. Highland had one miscue - a fumble.