Running backs are always willing to pat their linemen on the back when big games result. Friday night Mesa High coach Scott Hare handed out the accolades to his guys in the trenches.

Mesa scored two touchdowns in the final 75 seconds of the second quarter to erase a 17-7 deficit and went on to dominate the second half in a 35-17 romp over Mesquite in a Division II game at Jackrabbit Stadium.

"It took us a little while to find ourselves, but our line and their ability to communicate with me was huge in us coming back," Hare said. "They were able to relate what was going on in the second quarter and it made me a better play caller late in the first half and on through."

This was only the third time these teams have played in the nearly 20 years since Mesquite opened in 1998 -- odd due to their proximity. The game was one of runs with Mesquite scoring 17 straight points after a quick 7-0 deficit. Mesquite answered with the game's final 28 points. Mesa improved to 3-1 while Mesquite fell to 3-2 after winning its previous two games.

It was a productive night for three Mesa High players in particular -- wide receiver Jackson Clement, running back Kris Jackson and linebacker-running back Dylan Hendricks.

Clement was quarterback Roberto Baeza's go-to-guy. Clement caught a pair of touchdown passes -- a 25-yarder to put Mesa up 7-0 in the game's first minute and a 33-yarder with 18 seconds left before halftime to put Mesa ahead to stay 21-17. That reception came on a fourth-and-16. Clement also had a first-half interception. Clement finishd with six catches for 118 yards.

Jackson struggled for yardage in the first quarter and half, gaining four yards on four carries. He had a pair of double-digit gains in the final six minutes of the second quarter -- the last one a 14-yard TD scamper that pulled Mesa within 17-14. Jackson didn't score in the second half, but ground out 62 yards after intermission to finish with 101 yards on 14 carries.

Hendricks, who Hare uses somewhat sparingly on offense, carried four times in the second half. He scored both of Mesa's TDs in the second half, tallying on runs of 2 and 29 yards. He added Mesa's third interception of the night to officially silence Mesquite in the final three minutes.

"He (Hendricks) would be a great tailback, but we need him more at middle linebacker," Hare said. "He's averaging about 20 tackles a game."

Mesquite, missing several starters due to injury and a couple perhaps for the season, looked strong early. The game got away just before halftime and the Wildcats weren't able to stop the momentum Mesa gained prior to halftime.

"We were winning the battle at the start, but couldn't sustain it," Mesquite coach Jim Jones said. "We lost this one in the trenches. They took control up front. We had three interceptions and lost a fumble and that didn't help."

Two of Mesquite's turnovers were quite costly. Quarterback  Andrees Villarreal's second of three picks was thrown with 1:05 left in the first half. That set Mesa up for the go-ahead scoring drive that ended the half. Villarreal fumbled late in the third period with Mesquite inside Mesa's 10. Villarreal lost the handle as he was attempting to throw a pass in the flat. Mesa recovered to halt the drive that could have pulled Mesquite within 28-24.

Villarreal finished 13-of-26 for 218 yards and no TDs. Matt Caputo led Mesquite receivers with six receptions for 106 yards. Mesquite scored both its TDs on long runs - A'Drell Williams with a 51-yarder and Jordan Kelly a 52-yarder. Williams' run capped Mesquite's third possession of the opening period and Kelly's was on the first play of the Wildcats' fourth possession to begin the second quarter.

Mesa celebrates homecoming next Friday (Sept. 25) against Gilbert while Mesquite stays on the road visiting Dobson.