Football Recap: Strong Performance on D from Ethan Thomas and Mark Reed Leads Tempe over Moon Valley + How To Watch

Saul Mendez

Passing Touchdowns

09/05/25 @ Carl Hayden Community	5
10/10/25 vs Moon Valley	4
09/19/25 vs La Joya Community	3
08/29/25 vs Alhambra	3
10/03/25 @ Greenway	1
+ 1 more games

Tempe won the last time they faced Moon Valley and Saul Mendez did his part to make sure it happened again. The Buffaloes blew past the Rockets 40-0 on Friday for which the team can thank Mendez, who threw for 293 yards and four TDs while picking up 11.7 yards per attempt, and also punched in two rushing scores. He is becoming a predictor of Tempe's success: when he posts at least three passing touchdowns the team is undefeated (and 0-3 when he doesn't).

Nehemiah 'Nemo' Calvin was Mendez's top target, picking up 76 receiving yards and a pair of scores. Calvin also deserves a shoutout for his performance on D, picking up 0.5 sacks, making one tackle, and defending one pass.

Tempe didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off three passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Ethan Thomas and Mark Reed. Thomas has been hot recently, having also posted at least one defended passe the last three times he's played. Tempe got some further help from Zihyon Walters: he picked up a sack and made nine total tackles.

Tempe now has a winning record of 4-3. As for Moon Valley, they dropped their record down to 0-7 with the defeat, which was their fourth straight on the road.

Both teams will have to hit the road in their upcoming contests. Tempe will challenge Independence at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The Buffaloes will be up against the Patriots' rather soft defense (which has allowed 46.71 points per game), so fans could be in store for a big offensive performance. As for Moon Valley, they will face off against Greenway at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.