The Highland Hawks will face off against the Mountain Ridge Mountain Lions at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Highland is currently enjoying a perfect season and no doubt wants to keep things rolling.
Highland is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of Arizona's top teams: O'Connor, who was ranked 19th at the time (Highland was ranked first). The Hawks breezed past the Eagles to the tune of 30-0 last Thursday. Give the Hawks' defense some credit: that's the team's fourth straight shutout.
Alexis Eley continued her habit of posting crazy stat lines, throwing for 234 yards and four TDs, while also rushing for 64 yards on only nine carries. She is on a roll when it comes to passing touchdowns, as she's now passed for four or more in each of the last three games she's played. Addi Riggs was in the mix as well, providing Highland with two scores.
Highland didn't let much get past them through the air: they limited O'Connor to a completion percentage of just 32.5%. That dominant aerial defense primarily came from five players: Emery Wright, Kayitlyn Saunders, Emma Frost, Kenzie Egan, and Addy Lowe, who each logged one passes deflected. Highland hasn't an opponent to post a completion percentage of 0.67 or higher in six consecutive matchups dating back to last season.
Kylie Riggs
| 09/16/25 vs Campo Verde | 1 |
| 09/18/25 @ Williams Field | 1 |
| 09/23/25 @ Tolleson | 1 |
| 09/25/25 @ O'Connor | 2 |
Highland's defense didn't let Kylie Pruitt, get away unscathed either: they got into the backfield for six sacks. The heavy lifting was done by Wright and Kylie Riggs, who racked up five sacks between them. The game marked Riggs' first with multiple sacks this season.
Meanwhile, Mountain Ridge fought the good fight in their overtime contest against O'Connor last Friday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell 17-10 to the Eagles. The Mountain Lions have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.
Despite the loss, Mountain Ridge saw an underclassman step up: sophomore Amiaya Tice threw for 158 yards and one touchdown, and also rushed for 66 yards.
Highland's victory bumped their record up to 4-0. As for Mountain Ridge, they now have a losing record of 1-2.
Highland beat Mountain Ridge 19-9 in their previous meeting back in September of 2023. Will the Hawks repeat their success, or do the Mountain Lions have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
