Charlie Goldring is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Red Mountain High School for AZPreps365.com

MESA -- Red Mountain dominated in all three phases Friday night as they downed Salpointe Catholic 36-0 at home.

The Mountain Lions forced two interceptions, including a pick-6 in the second quarter, both by senior Tyreke Cornett. They blocked two punts and nearly a third, and managed three sacks, including two for fumbles recovered by Red Mountain. They also had a safety late in the first half to put the Mountain Lions up 23-0.

“It was awesome to see all three phases really put together,” Red Mountain coach Kyle Enders said. “When you play selfless football, and we preach ‘do your job,’ this is what happens.”

Senior Jameson Wade blocked a punt after the Lancers’ first drive of the game, setting the Mountain Lions up at Salpointe’s 46-yard line. 

After four straight runs from sophomore Darius-Grayson Courts, junior quarterback Caleb Joe lobbed one up to senior King Robinson for a 33-yard touchdown pass on play-action to start the scoring with 4:53 remaining in the first quarter. 

Courts finished the game with 20 carries and 46 yards. His previous game-high was seven carries. He stepped in with senior running back Abnel Lazzerini injured. Lazzerini had 37 carries through three games this season.

“I knew what I had to do for the team,” Courts said. 

“If we lose a player, it’s even more motivation for the next player to come up and continue to do what we do, and that’s what drives this team,” Joe said.  

Red Mountain forced a three-and-out on the next Lancers possession. 

The Mountain Lions proceeded to drive 71 yards on 13 plays, including 11 runs, capped off by a 5-yard touchdown run from senior Kai Jackson, to put the Mountain Lions up 14-0 with 9:56 left in the second quarter. 

After a penalty pushed the Lancers back to their own 15 on the first play of the next possession, Cornett picked off Salpointe quarterback Matthew Avelar and took the ball in for a touchdown, making it 21-0 just 15 seconds after their last score. 

“It feels good to redeem myself after dropping an easy one last week,” Cornett said. “It felt good to get one for my team this week.”

While punting on their next possession, Red Mountain continued to dominate on defense, forcing a sack and then a safety, making it 23-0 at halftime. 

“We preach intensity, getting after it every single play.” Wade said. “Our coaches say if you look at the hidden yards, the team that wins the special teams usually wins the game. We take pride in our special teams. We want to block punts.”

The trend continued in the second half as senior Cole Edmonds blocked another punt for the Mountain Lions on the Lancers’ first possession of the half, placing Red Mountain at the Lancers’ 33-yard line. 

This led to a 21-yard field goal from senior Chase Pitzer, putting Red Mountain up 26-0. 

Salpointe proceeded to turn the ball over on their next three possessions. Cornett picked off his second pass and the Mountain Lions recovered two fumbles. Red Mountain scored three points off of these turnovers, with another Pitzer field goal with 9:03 remaining in the fourth, making it 29-0.

Joe finished off the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run with 5:29 remaining in the game. 

“We play another really good football team next week, so we don’t have time to feel sorry for ourselves. We have to heal up and get back at it next week,” Lancers coach Pat Ryden said. 

Red Mountain (4-0) will play at Brophy (2-2) on Friday at 7 p.m.

Salpointe Catholic (3-1) will play at ALA - Queen Creek (0-4) on Friday at 7 p.m.