Lindsey Dean is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Cactus High School for AZPreps365.com.

Senior quarterback Bryce Herges led the Desert Mountain Wolves to a 44-0 shutout against the Cactus Cobras Friday night with three touchdowns.

Herges celebrated his last homecoming at Desert Mountain with 12 completions for 184 yards, two rushing touchdowns and one touchdown pass.

Despite starting out the game with a sack and interception on the first drive, the Wolves quickly recovered to go on a 34-0 run before halftime.

“We threw a pick in the end zone to give them the ball on the 10-yard line,” Wolves coach Conrad Hamilton said. “But, you know, we responded and we just kept the pedal to the metal tonight. I think we just started hot and I don’t think they were able to rebound from that.”

Desert Mountain also had two special teams touchdowns. Senior linebacker Tyler Stanford recovered a Cactus fumble on a punt return and then ran it in for a touchdown in the second quarter to make it a 31-0 game.

To start the fourth quarter, the Wolves blocked a fourth-and-25 punt in the back of the Cactus end zone which allowed the ball to be caught for the final Desert Mountain touchdown of the game.

Herges was excited about his team’s shutout performance on homecoming night. Despite leading his team in touchdowns, he credited all of his success to his teammates.

“I kind of walked in (the end zone) untouched so that’s all you can ask for. Thanks to my O-Line for that,” Herges said. “It’s amazing, last (Homecoming) always want to have a win, especially against a good team like Cactus,so it feels great for all of us.”

Cactus (2-2) struggled offensively early on with two interceptions and 11 incompletions in the first half alone.

“We weren’t able to move the ball offensively early on in the game,” Cactus coach Brain Belles said. “I think that we played from behind with a lot of short fields to start the game, and then it was just one thing after another, just not being able to do what we needed to do.”

Cactus star wide receiver Juju Stubblefield only played a few snaps in the first half due to a shoulder injury suffered in his previous game against Sandra Day O’Connor last Friday in which he had 15 receptions, 223 receiving yards, and one touchdown.

“Juju tried to go with his shoulder, and I think not having him in really set us back offensively,” Belles said. 

Belles said his team has to go back to the basics heading into practice this week.

Quarterback Antonio Casias is looking to step up and lead his team heading into a big rivalry game at home next Friday against Peoria (1-3).

“I’m going to bring a little bit more leadership and help the team stand up from what we just did,” Casias said. 

The Wolves (4-0) will travel to Campo Verde (2-2) next Friday.