It was a long time in coming. Eleven years in fact since the teams played for the first time. But Desert Ridge finally knows what it is to defeat Hamilton in football.

The final score doesn't indicate it, but Desert Ridge was clearly the superior team Friday night in a 36-20 victory in a 6A game featuring perennial title contenders.

A wacky week to be sure in the 6A ranks as the powers jockeyed for ultimate prowess. and rankings. Mountain Pointe humbled Chandler on Thursday. And, rather unexpectedly in most circles, Desert Ridge not only beat Hamilton, but did so convincingly with a punishing running game that piled up better than 300 yards.

The night belonged to Desert Ridge running back Tyrese Allen and the Jaguars defense, particularly that unit's effort in the first half. Allen a 5-foot-7,170-pound junior, piled up 305 yards (unofficallly on 34 carries). He either moved the pile, broke tackles or galloped for long gains. It was an impressive display coming against the Huskies, who coach Steve Belles thought were ready to turn in a quality performance after a sleepy effort the week before against Red Mountain.

Allen gave Desert Ridge (2-1) the lead it would never relinquish scoring on a 68-yard run on the game's second play from scrimmage. He added the second of his three touchdowns late in the first half to push the lead at intermission to 22-0. 

Meanwhile Desert Ridge's defense limited Hamilton to 34 yards of offense the first two quarters. Four punts and fumble was all Hamilton had to show for the first 24 minutes.

Hamilton (3-1) did move the ball better in the second half. The Huskies came out attacking the edge with Desert Ridge standout defensive end Jalen Harris on the bench with left knee injury. Hamilton's best drive of the game to that point, burned out with a long field goal miss.

It came down to Desert Ridge turnovers to get Hamilton back in the game to some degrees. The Jaguars defense couldn't be blamed for Hamilton's three second-half TDs. The first came via a 10-yard interception return by the Huskies Satchel Escalante with 2:21 left in the third period. It cut the lead to a still safe 22-7.

Desert Ridge quarterback CJ Fowler's second TD pass of the game -- a 28-yarder on fourth-and-two to tight end Ethan Winfield -- pushed the margin to 29-7 with 11:54 to play.

Two more Desert Ridge turnovers -- making it four for the game - turned into two Hamilton TDs on short fields. Tyler Alexander's 7-yard run capped a three-play, 26-yard drive. About four minutes later Hamilton took possession following another fumble at Desert Ridge's 17. Quarterback Tyler Shough cashed it in with a 5-yard TD toss to Chance Brewington. The lead was 29-20 after a failed two-point conversion try.

Desert Ridge recovered the short ensuing kickoff and promptly marched 45 yards in six plays behind Allen. Allen capped the drive and the game's scoring with a 15-yard run.