Willem Murrieta is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Higley High School for AZPreps365.com.

 

Fans, family and alumni flooded the stadium for Higley High School's homecoming football game against region rival Notre Dame Prep.

The Knights held the Saints scoreless in a dominating 34-0 shutout win on Friday, October 18.

Higley entered the game looking to get back in the win column after losing to American Leadership Academy - Gilbert North the previous week.

Higley Head Coach Eddy Zubey said the team's biggest goal this week was to make sure the players get back to their winning mentality.

“We talked to them every day about how we still have all of our goals and things that we want to accomplish as a team, so we had to continue to work on that,” Zubey said. “And we asked that what we improve this week was our Monday through Thursday preparation.”

The Knights also had to focus on not getting distracted by the week's festivities off the field. Zubey said in his 10 plus years coaching at Higley, he has learned how to prepare his players for homecoming week.

“What I tell the kids is to enjoy the day and right at the end of the school day, it’s time to get locked in. I still want them to be kids, enjoy it and have fun, so be at the assembly and if they are in the homecoming court, they could be out here,” Zubey said. “We still have to take care of business because the dance is no fun if you don’t win your homecoming game.”

The Knights defense forced the Saints to punt on the game's first offensive drive.

Coach Zubey said the defense's tenacity and ability to bounce back is what he admires most.

“They have a very short memory, and that’s very big when it comes to football,” Zubey said.

The Knights opened the scoring when senior receiver Gatling Walton scored on a 1-yard rush.

Higley and Notre Dame Prep went back and forth in the first quarter with both defenses getting stops.

In the second quarter, starting quarterback Luke Haugo connected with receiver Jaden Taylor for an 8-yard touchdown pass.

“Luke threw a great ball, and I was able to go up and grab it like a receiver should do,” Taylor said after the game.

Taylor finished the night with a team-high five receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown.

With a demanding 20-0 lead in the middle of the third quarter, Coach Zubey pulled Haugo at quarterback for backup, Gunner Fagrell, who said he had been waiting for this moment all year long. 

“Coach has been so generous to let me get one drive a game in the previous games,” Fagrell said. “I’ve been waiting for my opportunity by maximizing my opportunities and taking advantage of every single rep in practice to be able to come out here and perform well in a game.”

Fagrell completed 10 of his 13 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 32 yards and a touchdown.

“It was a 20-0 game halfway through the third quarter and Gunner deserves to get some reps, too,” Zubey said. “Luke didn’t do anything wrong, it was just a situation where we felt that it was time to put Gunner in.”