Queen Creek was minus two of its top offensive weapons Friday night so naturally the defense felt added pressure to perform and pick up the slack.

The Bulldogs D did just that with three quarters of shutout football in a 34-13 triumph over visiting Westview in a Division II battle of top-four teams.

Queen Creek, third in the D-II power-rankings, played for the first time this season without 1,000-yard rusher Gavin Danielson (broken ankle) and receiver Armon McGuire (flu). In their stead were running back Jace Koester (34 carries, 117 yards) and receiver Ian Woods (four catches, 117 yards). Quarterback Kaleb Honea accounted for four touchdowns -- two rushing and two passing.

The Bulldogs head to the final week of the regular season with a 7-2 record and with a section title in its pocket. Westview, (7-2), No. 4 this week in D-II power-rankings, saw its seven-game winning streak go by the wayside as its ground game was held in check save one effective quarter. Westview's other loss came in its season opener with No. 1 Skyline.

"It's good to see other kids step up," Queen Creek coach Travis Schureman said. "There's always a kid waiting his turn. .....Coach (Roger) Suchomel came up with a great game plan for our defense. We took it personal that others were saying they'd be able to run it down our throat."

Queen Creek capitalized on two takeaways in the first half to score both its first-half touchdowns in surging to a 19-0 lead at halftime. A fumble recovery by Honea led to Queen Creek's first TD -- a 67-yard bomb from Honea to Woods that extended a 3-0 lead to 10-0. Two plays from scrimmage later, Queen Creek's Zane Whiting intercepted Westview QB Ryan Martinez at Westview's 37. Honea capped a three-minute drive with a 2-yard sneak. A second field goal in the half by kicker Zach Glaess (48 and 33 yards) seemingly had Westview set up for a rout.

Westview, however, had other ideas. The Knights scored on two quick possessions with running back Stacy Campbell (10-yard run) and Rodney Knox (56-yard run) finding the end zone 4 1/2 minutes apart in the third to pare Queen Creek's lead to 19-13. Prior to the third period when Westview gained 78 yards rushing, the Knights had a total of 47 in the first half. Westview finished ith 135 yards rushing, far blelow its 390-yard per game average.

Queen Creek's offense chipped in as the fourth quarter began to help out the defense. The Bulldogs drove 64 yards in 14 plays to eat up more than six minutes of the final period. Honea scored his second TD on another sneak to make it 27-13 with 5:44 to play.

Westview gambled and went for a first down on fourth-and-three at its 30, but turned it over after an incomplete pass. Honea tossed his second TD pass -- a 9-yard strike to tight end Jordan Ackert -- with 1:32 left to close the scoring.

Westview's 1.000-yard rusher Tyler Vasko, was limited to 41 yards rushing, easily his season-low.

Queen Creek has a good chance of moving up to No. 2 this week since current No. 2 Williams Field lost to No. 1 Skyline on Thursday night. The Bulldogs should have McGuire back next week for its season-finale with Poston Butte, but won't get Danielson back.