Gilbert Highland turned the tables on Phoenix Pinnacle, hanging on for a 25-23 win to ruin the Pioneers’ homecoming on Friday in a 5A nonregion game.

SLIDESHOW: Friday night football action

“They beat us at our homecoming last year,” Highland senior Jake Degracie remembered. “We were trying to score at the end last year just like they were this year.”

The Hawks (5-3, 0-3) jumped out to a 25-3 lead but needed a late interception by William Shaw to preserve their win.

Taylor Stib sparked the Pioneers’ (4-4, 1-2) comeback with a 63-yard TD run in the final seconds of the third quarter.

“That was the best run I’ve ever seen in high school football,” Pinnacle coach Dana Zupke said. “That inspired our team when we were down.”

Big plays sparked 5A-II Pinnacle’s comeback. Dillon Luther picked up 47 yards on a reverse to set up another score by Stib. Five plays later, Tyler Gallant recovered a fumble at the Hawks’ 33 and the Pioneers scored on their next play, quarterback Alex Cappellini pitching back to receiver Sean Alderman who then connected with Cappellini for the TD. They went for two to tie but the Hawks stopped Stib in the backfield.

Highland had wasted little time taking control in the second half. Leading 10-3, Drew Davis connected with Jamison Ellis for 65 yards, then scored on a keeper from 10 yards out.

Senior Taylor Bluebaugh grabbed his second interception of the night and returned it to the Pioneer 11 to set up the Hawks’ final score.

“He gets better every game,” Hawks coach Pete Wahlheim said.

The first half went quickly as both teams mounted long drives that ended in field goals. Highland jumped up 10-3 on a drive keyed by a 52-yard pass to Eli West.

Pinnacle looked like it would respond but Bluebaugh picked off Cappellini at the Hawk 15 with 37 seconds left in the half.

“We’ve got to win the next one (against Mesquite) and we’ll be in the playoffs,” Bluebaugh said.

Both teams can reach the playoffs with wins next week.

“We’re in if we beat Horizon,” Zupke said.