Mesa Dobson's fireworks crew was put to the test early and often Friday as the Mustangs defeated Phoenix Goldwater 45-0 at homecoming in a 5A nonconference game.

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The spectacle of lights started 15 seconds into the game after Dobson's Emilio Gutierrez returned the opening kickoff 99 yards to give the Mustangs (3-3) a lead they never relinquished to the Bulldogs (0-5).

The play seemed to motivate a Dobson team that has struggled at home, losing its two previous meetings by a combined 90-19. The defense responded with two straight three-and-outs and the offense put points on the board on five straight possessions, thanks to strong starting field position.

In the first half, the Mustangs’ average starting position was the Goldwater 38-yard line, compared with the Bulldogs’ average of their own 17.

The short field was courtesy of three first-half interceptions by Dobson, which finished the game with four. The explosive secondary was spearheaded by Denton Zander, who had two of the Mustangs’ four picks, including one he took 23 yards for a touchdown in the final minutes of the second quarter.

The interceptions give Zander seven on the year, a number he hopes to add to when East Valley Region play starts next week against Mesa Westwood.

"This is a big step forward after the losses to Corona, Hamilton and Chandler," Zander said. "We just have to step up and win the rest of our games."

Joining the interception crew was Gutierrez, who picked off a pass in the end zone during Goldwater's only drive in the red zone and Dailon Dabney, who snagged the fourth pick late in the game.

Despite seemingly unimpressive numbers, Dobson coach Tom DeMassa was pleased with the performance of his quarterback, Jordan Gruber.

Gruber, who finished the game 4-for-6 with 44 yards, limited his mistakes and connected with receiver Tyler French on a 20-yard touchdown in the first quarter.

"Two weeks in a row, it's been good wins," DeMassa said. "It's nice when you're getting turnovers on defense and that changes the game."

Gruber was helped by a strong running game, which stacked up 256 yards on an overmatched Goldwater squad.