Video by Eliav Gabay
Hear from the players and HC Brock Farrel in the clip above.
The Highland Hawks came into the matchup as no stranger to the big stage at Sun Devil Stadium. In their third consecutive title game appearance, the Hawks were in search of a repeat 6A State Championship win. Earlier this season the Highland Hawks shut out the Pioneers, winning 25-0 in late October. Brock Farrel’s defense is one of the best in the state and went up against an explosive offense featuring sophomore quarterback Wyatt Horton and veterans Duce Robinson and Myles Libman. On Saturday, it was the Hawks offense that prevailed and defeated the Pioneers 37-26.
First Half
With just over one minute left in the first quarter, Highland was the first to score. After 14 drives it was Kody Cullimore that exploded into the endzone to give the Hawks a 7-0 lead as the first quarter came to a close.
It took a few tries but @KodyCullimore26 bursts into the endzone and Highland strikes first to the delight of the student section! #FridayNight360AZ 🏈
6A Conference AZ State Championship
#4 @GoBigBlue_PHS 0
#2 @athletics_hawks 7
1:01 Q1 pic.twitter.com/Cpj5SHuqdr— Devon Henry (@devonhenry77) December 10, 2022
Duce Robinson is the X-Factor for the Pioneers but would likely be the X-Factor on any team across the Valley. As one of the most sought-after athletes in the state, anytime he can get his hands on the ball magic happens. The first glimpse of magic came with the very first play of the second quarter. The Pioneers were on 1st and 10 from the 45-yard line, Duce Robinson snagged the 53-yard pass with one hand and piled into the endzone. The PAT was no good following the Robinson touchdown, giving the Hawks a 7-6 lead.
.@wyatthorton_2 ➡️ @Ducerobinson2 who mosses TWO defenders for the 55-yard TD catch🤯🤯
🎥Shot in real time, then slo-mo
📍Arizona 6A State Championship@Sports360AZ @GoBigBlue_PHS pic.twitter.com/GZmQG9ip2g— Eliav Gabay (@eliavgabay) December 10, 2022
Answering back was the name of the game for the first three quarters and it didn’t take long for the Pioneers to do just that. On first and 10 from their own 49-yard line, Horton lobbed the ball to Myles Libman already deep in the endzone to catch the 51-yard touchdown. After an unsuccessful 2-point conversion attempt the Pioneers only trailed 14-12.
ANOTHER BOMB FROM @wyatthorton_2!!! This time @myles_lib brings it in for the TD! 2-point conversion attempt is no good. #FridayNight360AZ 🏈
6A Conference AZ State Championship
#4 @GoBigBlue_PHS 12
#2 @athletics_hawks 14
3:21 Q2 pic.twitter.com/3L1UGuywzv— Devon Henry (@devonhenry77) December 10, 2022
The action didn’t stop there for Myles Libman. Later Libman would catch his second touchdown of the game to make it 19-14 with just minutes left in the first half. By the end of the second half, Myles and Duce combined for over 200 receiving yards, setting the tone for what was to come in the second half. Libman racked up 100 receiving yards before the game came to a close and Robinson managed to rake up 175 of his own.
— Claudia Collins (@ClaudiafCollins) December 10, 2022
Second Half
The third quarter belonged to the Pioneers with Myles Libman continuing to make big moments happen. However, the Highland Hawks are no stranger to making a comeback and know this stage better than most.
Make it 3️⃣ for #3️⃣! @wyatthorton_2 delivers another strike to @myles_lib for the first TD of the 2nd half! #FridayNight360AZ 🏈
6A Conference AZ State Championship
#4 @GoBigBlue_PHS 26
#2 @athletics_hawks 14
4:43 Q3 pic.twitter.com/DVmN7LqqdP— Devon Henry (@devonhenry77) December 10, 2022
The Highland Hawks had an explosive fourth quarter that led them to another state title win. Eli Kerby rushed for 66 yards to give the Highland Hawks a one-point lead with under nine minutes left to play.
Highland takes the lead. Kalen Fisher finds Joseph Walter wide open in the end zone. 2-point try is no good.
27-26 Hawks | 8:27 4Q pic.twitter.com/a8MzP5LPwa
— Zach Alvira (@ZachAlvira) December 10, 2022
One of the Hawks most valuable players of the game was Cole Crandall who had two interceptions in the game. Crandall and the Highland Hawks decided to seal the deal for the state championship in the final minutes when Horton’s pass was intercepted by Crandall with just 1:41 on the clock. The Highland Hawks won their second consecutive 6A State Championship.
