Tempe Defeats Desert Sunrise 47-6 in 4A Southwest Matchup

Tempe built an early lead and continued adding to it throughout Friday night's 4A Southwest boys varsity football matchup, defeating Desert Sunrise 47-6 at Desert Sunrise High School.

Tempe opened the scoring in the first quarter when No. 6 scored a touchdown and converted the extra point to give the Buffaloes a 7-0 advantage.

No. 2 added another touchdown later in the quarter. The ensuing extra-point attempt by No. 6 was unsuccessful, leaving Tempe ahead 13-0 after the opening quarter.

The Buffaloes added to their lead in the second quarter when No. 13 scored a touchdown. Tempe attempted a two-point conversion with No. 23, but the attempt was unsuccessful.

Tempe entered halftime with a 19-0 advantage.

Tempe continued to separate itself in the third quarter. No. 20 scored a touchdown, followed by a successful extra point from No. 6.

No. 2 then recorded his second touchdown of the game, and No. 6 added another successful extra point to extend the Buffaloes' lead to 33-0 entering the fourth quarter.

The Buffaloes added two more touchdowns in the final quarter. No. 6 scored a touchdown and followed it with a successful extra point.

No. 23 later found the end zone, with No. 6 again converting the extra point to bring Tempe's total to 47 points.

Desert Sunrise broke through in the fourth quarter when No. 3 scored the Golden Hawks' first touchdown of the game. Desert Sunrise attempted a two-point conversion following the score, but the attempt was unsuccessful.

Tempe closed out the game with a 47-6 victory over Desert Sunrise.

Following the game, Desert Sunrise senior safety and running back Ajaye McAnelly reflected on where the Golden Hawks needed to improve.

“Honestly, I feel like, I feel like on both ways, offense, we shoot ourselves in a foot,” McAnelly said. “But, you know, it happens.”

McAnelly also emphasized the need for improvement defensively, particularly from the team's inside linebackers.