So what did #9 Red Mountain's 23-21 victory over #4 Queen Creek on Friday night at Jim Jones Field mean for the Mountain Lions?

A few things.

It enabled Red Mountain (8-1 overall, 2-0 Fiesta Region) to take over first place in the region from Queen Creek (6-2, 2-1).

It also likely served to move the Mountain Lions up in the power-rankings when they are reshuffled next week. And it avenged a 36-29 loss to the Bulldogs last year that dealt them a blow in missing the postseason in truncated 2020 and the chance to defend its 6A title from 2019. 

And of course, it was pleasing to win in a rivalry that's evolved quickly in recent years that's posted tight outcomes the last four seasons - the others were Red Mountain wins in postseason 21-9 in 2019 and 37-34 in 2018.

"This was a great high school football game," Red Mountain coach Mike Peterson said. "They shut us down in the second half, but we had enough to get it done. I think we are peaking at the right time."

Red Mountain won its fourth consecutive game and has its second four-game winning streak this year. The Mountain Lions built a 20-7 halftime lead by way of an 10-play, 86-yard drive to open the game. Running back Josiah Villanueva capped it with a 3-yard TD. A missed extra point after that TD allowed Queen Creek to take its only lead (7-6) midway through the second quarter. when the Bulldogs found the end zone on a Davey Morales' 2-yard run.

Red Mountain responded with two Carter Crispin TD passes in the final five mintues of the quarter - one each to Lenox Lawson and Jakobi Lane. The second TD pass was set up by an interception by Xavier Fendenheim.

Queen Creek pulled within 20-14 with 5:30 left in the third quarter. Quarterback Sebastian Tomerlin rolled left with an option to throw, but quickly tucked the ball and ran through and past defenders for a 71-yard TD.  The Bulldogs were on the march again starting the fourth quarter from its 11 to nearly the Red Mountain red zone with just under seven minutes to play. Red Mountain, however, came up with a turnover to halt the drive  - an interception by Ryan Grossklaus at the Red Mountain 16.

Red Mountain took advantage to put together its only drive of the second half that ended with what would be the decisive points - a 28-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Kai Evans for a 23-14 edge with 1:43 to play. The key play in the drive was a 40-yard run by Lawson.

Tomerlin wasn't deterred, engineered a 67-second scoring drive - 70 yards in eight plays to make it 23-21 The drive culminated with a 34-yard scoring pass to Morales with 25 seconds left. Queen Creek's onside kick attempt was covered easily by Red Mountain and one kneel down finished it.

Red Mountain hosts region foe Williams Field next week in its final home game. Queen Creek  is on the road again for a non-region battle at Mountain Pointe.