Scoring two touchdowns in a single game is a difficult task, but scoring seven receiving and one touchdown on a fumble recovery in a single game is something tha'ts only been done once before.

On Sept. 28, Mesa wide receiver Eddie Mcclendon tied the 6A single game touchdown record of eight previously set by Tucson Rincon’s Ty Grigsby in 2016, and broke the previous record of six receiving touchdowns in a single game.

Mcclendon’s first touchdown of the game at Dobson was a fumble recovery, but he knew that this night was different than any other.

“I remember scoring the touchdown on defense, thinking tonight could be special,” Mcclendon said.

From there on, it was an offensive onslaught put on by quarterback Gabby Mendoza and Mcclendon.

The tandem added three touchdowns before half, including the last drive before half where Mendoza and Mcclendon went 60 yards in two plays to put Eddies’s total to four for the half.

“Our last play before halftime we ran Eddie on a deep skinny post one-on-one with the defense,” Mendoza said. “I knew If I threw the ball before the hash marks it would be a touchdown.”

Going into the second half, everything was clicking, including the chemistry, which was something that had been in the making.

“Back in spring ball we had the same connection, and I knew it would transfer in the season," Mendoza said. "We worked all off season for big games like this. We would stay after practice and he would help me work on my timing and I helped him work on his hands. We threw balls that he would visualize in the game so by game time it would become all natural.”

As the game continued, the duo stayed hot throwing for four second-half touchdowns, leading the Jackrabbits to a 56-13 victory.

Mcclendon went step by step through the history-making last play.

“We came out the second half confident as can be," Mcclendon said. "I told Gabby, if they don’t double-team me, let’s make history.”

Mesa coach Kap Sikahema said there was really no specific game plan, talking about how well the offensive lineman blocked and how the defense put them in good field position all night.

“I had no idea he had that many touchdowns,” Sikahema said.  “It’s a nice accolade for him.  It’s one of those games, he'll probably never have another one.”

As a senior in high school, Mcclendon talked about what this game meant to him and how it affects his future.

“It means a lot. I’m in the record books," he said. "Hopefully I’m someone the program will look up to in my efforts to make Mesa High better. I’d love to play D1 football, but everybody’s road is different. I’ll see where I end up.”