GameNight: Thunder downed at Gilbert

Only two weeks into its season, Gilbert has surprisingly established itself as a 5A-I contender.

And if a convincing win over Mesa Westwood didn't raise any eyebrows in Week 1, then Friday night's 28-7, nonregion home victory over third-ranked Phoenix Desert Vista will likely capture the attention of future opponents and pollsters.

In addition to a highly touted opponent, Gilbert (2-0) was forced to deal with early emotional adversity when tight end Beau Harris was airlifted to a hospital after a serious head injury during the game's first series. He was in surgery late Friday night.

After nearly an hour delay, Gilbert channeled its emotional energy into a convincing performance against Desert Vista, which was playing its season opener.

"We won this game for Beau," quarterback Brandon Bialkowski said afterwards, with most of his teammates in tears.

"It was tough, but we practiced hard all week and we expected to win this game.  Our offensive line played great all night long, and that was the key to the game because they controlled everything for us."

Indeed, Gilbert's rushing attack was rugged and powerful, compiling 215 yards against Desert Vista's highly touted defensive line.  Running backs Trey Fulton and Bret Crowe dealt most of the damage, combining for 184 rushing yards.

The defense was equally effective for Gilbert. Desert Vista's quarterback tandem of Cole Pembroke and Cody Sokol endured five sacks and two interceptions.

Gilbert jumped out to a 14-0 lead by scoring on its second and third possessions of the game. Crowe scored from 15 yards out midway through the first quarter to cap a 46-yard drive.

Fulton finished off an nine play, 54-yard possession with a 4-yard rumble on the first play of the second quarter.

Desert Vista's only scoring drive cut Gilbert's lead to 14-7 midway through the second quarter.

It included a fake-punt conversion, coupled with a personal-foul penalty from Gilbert, and the final result was an 11-yard touchdown run from Devon Kennard.

Gilbert's biggest offensive play came two possessions later, when Bialkowski found split end Brandon Christie deep in the Desert Vista secondary for a 77-yard touchdown with 1:37 remaining before halftime.