Gilbert Highland is still looking for a football identity despite shutting out Phoenix Central 44-0 Friday night.

 SLIDESHOW: Friday night high school football

The Hawks (2-1) scored six touchdowns and rolled up 273 rushing yards to

make the victory look easy, but mixed in were three lost fumbles, 50 penalty yards and a lackluster Hawks offense that didn’t get a first down in the second half until the fourth quarter.

“I am still disappointed with last week to be honest, we still made some mistakes tonight,” said Highland coach Pete Wahlheim, who was lamenting the loss to Mesa Mountain View a week ago. “We came out well and then we got flat in the second half. We need to play a whole quality football game.”

Highland overpowered Central (0-2) on the both sides of the ball, which led to four scores in the first half, including a Jamison Ellis 60-yard interception return and 19-yard TD pass by quarterback Drew Davis. Christian Ives added a 6-yard scamper and Cameron Clemente banged his way in from a yard out.

“We were shut out most of the second half, which doesn’t make me happy,” Wahlheim said. “These kids have a tough time being coached. It is a work in progress.”

The Hawks took advantage of kicker Josh Zahn’s powerful leg as all eight kickoffs went for touchbacks and he nailed a 30-yard field goal in the third quarter.

Davis added a snaking 8-yard TD run in the fourth while Jordan Klingensmith finished the Bobcats off with a touchdown run from 16 yards out.

Central has now lost 10 of its last 12 games dating back to last season.

Davis completed 6 of 14 passes for 89 yards while Ives led the ground attack with 10 carries for 130 yards.

Highland’s stingy defense held Central to 100 yards of total of offense and just three first downs in the game.