A colossal 3A matchup will ensue on Friday night as the Show Low Cougars will make the three-and-a-half-hour trek south into Queen Creek to face off against Casteel High School in a game which figures to carry playoff implications.

Show Low (3-1) was dominant once again last week as it took care of Coolidge, 41-13, on its home turf. Quarterback Jon Jenkins was 8-of-17 for 179 yards and three touchdowns. Leading receiver Daelyn Toone caught five passes for 141 yards and added a 79-yard kickoff return as well.

The big story for Show Low offensively, however, was the performance of running back Westin Keime, who gashed the Bears' defense for 158 yards rushing on 17 carries and three touchdowns. The senior also caught a touchdown, in all, accounting for 24 of the Cougars' 41 points.

The performance was not an anomaly for Keime, who simply added to his impressive year. This season, the running back has rushed for 523 yards, averaging over 130 yards per game. Additionally, Keime has found the end zone 11 times in four games this season, good for second in 3A.

Behind Keime, as well as back-up running back James Turner and receivers Toone and Jake Reidhead, who together have accounted for 603 yards and 11 touchdowns this season, the Cougars have put up 1,525 yards of offense this year. Along the way, Show Low has outscored its opponents 192-25.

The other side of the ball has been equally impressive for the Cougars. Show Low’s defense, which is led by two-way player and leading tackler Keime, as well as linebacker Keegan Hallman and safety Traysin Neff, has given up just 6.2 points a game to opponents.

Last Friday, the Cougars put up video game-type numbers against Coolidge, forcing the Bears into 11 turnovers, including eight interceptions and three fumble recoveries. Show Low dominated up front as well, sacking Bears quarterback Valentine Rodriguez nine times.

Two-way player Turner, Hallman and lineman Gino Akkerman combined for 33 tackles, five sacks and two interceptions on the night in the Cougar rout.

Casteel (4-0) will bring its perfect record into Friday looking equally as strong this season and beaming with confidence following last week’s dramatic 28-21 overtime victory over Monte Vista (CA) in San Diego.

In a back-and-forth contest, the Colts took control in overtime when running back Mack Johnson rumbled in from the 1-yard line. The score was set up by a sliding grab at the 1 by receiver Zack Nelson, who had 10 receptions for 137 yards in the game.

The touchdown catapulted the Colts into the lead, who would hang on for the victory after a 4th-and-3 defensive stand on the ensuing Monarchs drive.

Quarterback Gunner Cruz led the way offensively for the Colts, going 19-of-29 for 267 yards and a touchdown. Running back Johnson provided most of the scoring, finding the end zone three times, while receivers Nelson and Brandt Goodwin combined for 16 receptions for 209 yards and a touchdown.

The 28 points scored by Casteel last week was the fewest the team has scored all season. Behind a slew of playmakers, including Cruz, who has thrown for 1,045 yards, 13 touchdowns and just two interceptions this season, and Johnson, whose nine rushing touchdowns is good for 4th in 3A, the Colts have averaged 56 points per game.

The team has also seen contributions from receivers Goodwin (408 yards on 19 receptions and six touchdowns) and Jamie Lewis (11 receptions for 158 yards and four touchdowns).

The defensive side of the ball for Casteel has seen its fair share of success as well. Up until last weekend, when the Colts surrendered 21 points to Monte Vista, Casteel had yet to give up a point to any opponent, outscoring the opposition 196-0 during its first three contests.

The Casteel defensive attack is headlined by a strong linebacking core, led by sophomore Jack Littleton, who led the team in tackles through the first three games with 24. Additionally, sophomore Dalton Card and junior Jehrt Flitton have combined for 35 tackles, 10 of which have gone for a loss.

Friday will mark the first time ever the two squads will match up on the field. The game which features two powerhouse programs with numerous playmakers and figures to be an entertaining, high stakes contest.

The game kicks at 7 p.m. and can be streamed live at https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/azpreps365/6287f8c934 and heard on the Fanatic (1580 AM and 99.3 FM).