ALA-Gilbert North makes statement atop 4A with blowout win over Arizona Prep

When Nos. 1 and 2 in a conference face off, it’s supposed to be close. At least, it’s supposed to be respectable.

It’s not supposed to look like it did in Friday’s 4A showdown, when ALA-Gilbert North receiver Brandon Phelps tumbled into the end zone with his second score, lay face down on the east end zone turf and began performing snow angels — or “starfish” as he described it afterwards. The first half clock still had 56 seconds to go, but the route was on. The second-ranked Eagles already led No. 1 Arizona Prep, 35-0.

By the end of a night that began with all the grandeur of an important battle and ended with a running clock, the final score of ALA-Gilbert North’s dominant win was 47-7.

Here are four takeaways from a stunning night in Gilbert:

ALA-Gilbert North the best in 4A?

Entering this week, there was a sense of uncertainty in 4A. The AIA rankings had Arizona Prep just ahead of ALA-Gilbert North. The Republic had the schools third and fourth, respectively, behind Marcos de Niza and Canyon del Oro.

But if ALA-Gilbert North plays like it did Friday, it’s hard to see anyone taking them down. Prior to this week, the Eagles had impressed in spurts against the toughest teams on their schedule, jumping out to early leads against 3A No. 2 Eastmark and 5A No. 4 ALA-Queen Creek.

Both times, though, they faltered down the stretch. On Friday, the Eagles showed that they can perform at an elite level for 48 minutes.

Afterwards, both coach Randy Ricedorff and quarterback Adam Damante stopped short of anointing themselves the best team in 4A. Running back Bric Jobe, though, offered more optimism.

“We're gonna … go win a state championship, baby,” Jobe said.

Damante’s big day

Entering Friday night, Damante was averaging 351.2 passing yards per game with 24 touchdowns and just two interceptions. But considering the opposition, this might have been his best performance yet.

The senior threw for six touchdowns in the rout, spreading the ball around and making a defense that was allowing 11.8 points per game look overmatched. He stood calm in the pocket when possible, scanning the field until receivers came open — as they often did.

On the rare occurrences when he didn’t have options downfield, Damante recognized as much and took off, making plays with his legs. In one second quarter sequence, he picked up a first down on a scramble in the red zone before throwing a perfectly-placed fade to Phelps in the end zone to make it 28-0.

“It all comes down to (Damante) and the line blocking so that (Damante) can throw me the ball,” Phelps said. “I (can’t) do it without my quarterback.”

Phelps continues dominant season

The biggest theme of the night was a simple one: Arizona Prep had absolutely no answer for Phelps.

Whenever Damante needed him, his favorite target was there. Phelps made the big plays — touchdowns of nine, 47 and 82 yards — but also the little ones, helping ALA-Gilbert North move the sticks with chunk gains to all parts of the field.

“(Phelps) is just great,” Damante said. “He's always open. I can get him the ball. We've been practicing forever. In the off-season, through the season, we're just getting after it. So that's what makes us so much better.”

With the performance, Phelps — a junior with offers from Arizona and Michigan State — moved to over 1,000 receiving yards on the season. He’s also scored a touchdown in every game.

Defensive line steps up

As good as Damante’s season has been under center for ALA-Gilbert North, sophomore quarterback Jaxon Castro has been nearly as impressive for Arizona Prep. Before Friday, he was averaging 247 yards per game with 14 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions.

ALA-Gilbert North’s defense ensured that hot start wouldn’t continue. The Eagles played most of the night with five defensive backs, but still managed to get consistent pressure to Castro, never letting him get comfortable in the pocket.

“We had to stop their run with six guys because they're a good (passing) team,” Ricedorff said. “So you commit a seventh guy to that box and you're gonna open up their passing game in a big way. We had to get six guys to the ball, be able to stop that inside run game. And I think we're pretty good on the edges. So it's just winning up front. The game of football is won or lost in the trenches and I felt like we did a good job tonight.”

Theo Mackie covers Arizona high school sports and the Arizona Diamondbacks. He can be reached by email at theo.mackie@gannett.com and on Twitter @theo_mackie.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: ALA-Gilbert North makes 4A statement with blowout of Arizona Prep