Patient in the first half, Mesa was downright punishing in the second against Scottsdale Horizon, winning 47-13 in a nonregion game in Scottsdale. Mesa (1-0) trailed at the half, 13-7, thanks to 20- and 15-play scoring drives by Horizon (0-1). But the Jackrabbits scored on their first seven second-half possessions, thanks in large part to six Horizon turnovers.

 SLIDESHOW: Friday night prep football action

“Our coaches did a great job of making adjustments,” Mesa coach Kelly Moore said, crediting defensive coordinators John Shea and Kenny Wantland for crucial halftime adjustments to the pass defense.

Mason Crandell’s 23-yard field goal pulled Mesa within 13-10 with seven minutes, 48 seconds remaining in the third. Seventeen seconds and one Horizon fumble later, Mesa’s Greg King scampered 28 yards for a touchdown and an 18-13 lead.

King scored on 1- and 5-yard runs later in the half and finished with 94 yards on 10 carries, while Crandell added a 35-yard field goal to move within two kicks of the school record.

Mesa had four interceptions, including one which Kyler Fackrell returned 30 yards for a touchdown and a 30-13 Mesa lead with 4:05 to play in the third.

The Jackrabbits controlled the line of scrimmage all night, holding Horizon to 54 yards on the ground. Sophomore tailback Matt Jones carried 16 times for 23 yards. Sophomore quarterback Ryan Stanford was 12 of 23 for 98 yards passing in the first half, but only 2 of 14 for 18 yards and four interceptions after intermission.

“We just really sputtered offensively,” Huskies coach Steve Casey said. “We have seven sophomores, five who start… it’s going to be a building process.”

Mesa quarterback Brody Skinner threw for 98 yards and the game’s first score, a 17-yard reception by Leo Francisco.

Despite the lopsided result, Horizon was the more disciplined team Friday, committing five penalties for 33 yards, while Mesa was flagged 16 times for 120 yards – something Moore attributed to a lack of experience.

“We had three starters back from last year overall, so it may take tonight and looking at the film to show them,” Moore said.

Horizon was effective throughout the first half, converting again and again in short third- and fourth-down situations. J.D. Souder had a 4-yard scoring run and Stanford’s 11-yard pass to Donaven Anderson gave the Huskies a 13-7 lead 24 seconds before the half.

“Horizon was as game as ever, and they played their hearts out,” Moore said.