by 
Four fourth-quarter touchdowns, including three by senior running back Gavin Danielson and a pick-six by defensive back Zach Glaess allowed the sixth-ranked Bulldogs to finally pull away from rival Higley in a 47 – 31 victory last Friday night.
It was Queen Creek’s 11th win in 12 games played between the schools.
Queen Creek held several double-digit leads throughout the game only to see the Knights comeback and even take the lead on a couple of occasions in the back-and-forth contest.
The Bulldogs’ performance still wasn’t up to their typical standards, but was an improvement from last week and perhaps their best overall showing so far this season.
“I thought we did some good things early,” head coach Travis Schureman said after the game. “We had the field goal after the turnover on the first play of the game, but we need to score touchdowns (in that spot).
Schureman made some changes in his starting lineup, looking to spark a running game that’s been among the state’s best in the past, but was off to slow start before Friday night. The changes helped as the Bulldogs rushed for 185 yards in the game with Danielson leading the attack with 158 yards on 29 carries,
“We had a couple new guys on the offensive line tonight,” Danielson said. “They did their job, I did mine, and we were able to pound the ball down their throats to come away with the win.”
Senior quarterback Kaleb Honea, who made his third varsity start, continues to improve each week and went 12-of-15 for 174 yards with two touchdowns in the win. He threw both touchdowns to junior receiver Armon McGuire, who ended the game with seven receptions for 151 yards in addition to the two long touchdown grabs.
“I think part of what is helping Armon is having Zane (Whiting) lineup on the other side,” Schureman said. “Zane and Armon are doing a great job of catching the ball and making plays.”
“(Kaleb and I) have been building on our success and getting better,” McGuire added. “It starts off with running a good route and getting open. Then I just have to finish with making the catch and I did that (on Friday).”
The Bulldogs begin section play this week and with half the season just completed, they know it’s time to start playing at their best each week. A sectional championship guarantees them a spot in the playoffs.
“We did a good job of getting better,” Schureman said. “That’s what we ask for – to get better every week. Did we play four quarters of football? No, but if we were playing our best football right now I’d be worried. We want to continue to get better every week and I think we took a step in the right direction (Friday night).”
Queen Creek travels to Marana Mountain View this Friday.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Armon McGuire crosses the goal line for one of his two touchdowns in last Friday’s win.
Bulldogs’ receiver Armon McGuire (8) looks to make a move on a Knights’ defender.
Queen Creek running back Jace Koester (32) looks for running room in Friday’s game.
Queen Creek warms up before last Friday’s game versus Higley.
Zane Whiting (17) falls forward after a reception against Higley.
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
by by