Top-seeded Chandler Hamilton has reached the state semifinals once again.

That's nine years in a row, if you're counting.

Hamilton advanced by pulling away from visiting Gilbert Mesquite for a 37-13 victory Friday night at Jerry Loper Stadium in Chandler in the 5A-I quarterfinals.

Quarterback Travis Dean passed for 156 yards and three touchdowns for Hamilton, which saw Mesquite take an early 7-0 lead.

The key was Hamilton's defense intercepting Mesquite four times, three of which came deep in Hamilton territory and prevented scores. Mesquite was also held without a first down for the entire second half.

The Huskies (12-0) will face off with city and Fiesta Region rival Chandler in a semifinal game in two weeks at a site yet to be determined. Hamilton, which began 5A varsity play in 1999, will try to maintain its perfect record against Chandler, which lost a late 10-point lead to Hamilton earlier this season in a 24-20 loss.

"It's going to be a great challenge," Hamilton coach Steve Belles said of Chandler. "We'll need to play a great game."

Hamilton's offense clicked for most of the evening despite committing four turnovers. After Mesquite took the early lead on sophomore Charles Robinson's 29-yard touchdown run, the Huskies answered immediately. On Hamilton's first offensive play, Dean found Steven Hanson for a 59-yard completion, setting up a 2-yard scoring run from Zach Bauman that tied the score.

Mesquite's offense continued to move the ball but failed to score on three trips inside Hamilton's 36-yard line. Two of those drives were thwarted by linebacker Ben Peters, who had two of Hamilton's four interceptions.

"Those were big plays for us in the first half," Belles added.

Hamilton held a 14-7 lead late in the second quarter after Dean hit Ethan Kipili'i on a 9-yard scoring pass.

The backbreaker for Mesquite may have come at the end of the first half. After driving to Hamilton's 4-yard line with time running out, Mesquite kicker Devin Foy had to attempt a short field goal from the right hash mark, but he missed wide right.

Despite the close score at halftime, Mesquite's offense never challenged in the second half.

Dean tossed a pair of touchdown passes in the third quarter, which put the game out of reach for Mesquite, which finished the season 7-5.

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Mesquite scores quickly on a 26-yard run by sophomore Charles Robinson, but  Hamilton comes right back on its first play from scrimmage with a 59-yard pass from Travis Dean to Steven Hanson. Zach Bauman then scored from 2 yards out to tie it at 7-7 early in the first quarter.

Travis Dean hits Ethan Kipili'i from 8 yards out to put Hamilton ahead 14-7 midway through the second quarter.

Zach Bauman takes a short pass and scores from 12 yards out. to make it 21-7 Hamilton early in the third quarter.

After Mesa goes three-and-out on the ensuing possession, a bad snap on the punt goes over the punter's head and out of the end zone for a Hamilton safety. It's now 23-7 Huskies.

Dean hits Hanson for a 5-yard touchdown pass, their second scoring connection of the game, to make it 30-7 Hamilton midway through the third quarter.

After a Hamilton fumble, Mesquite cashes in on a 1-yard run from Charles Robinson that cuts the Huskies' lead to 30-13 with 10 minutes left in the game.

This one's a final: Hamilton wins 37-13, advancing to the state semifinals for the ninth consecutive year.

PREVIEW

No. 8 Mesquite vs. No. 1 Hamilton

Time: 7 p.m.

Address: 3700 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler

Key matchup: Mesquite will need its offensive prowess of recent two weeks to have a chance. Being able to run effectively will be critical for the Wildcats on both sides of the ball eating clock and keeping Hamilton’s offense off the field.

Stat leaders: Mesquite — Rushing: Charles Robinson 91 carries, 499 yards, 4 TDs; Maka Taufa 82-371, 3 TDs; Anthony Lopez 22-328, 4 TDs. Passing: Steven Hansen 57 of 114, 532 yards, 4 INT, 2 TDs. Receiving: R.J. Rickert 37 catches, 382 yards, 1 TD; Dameon Morgan, 17-144, 0 TD. Hamilton — Rushing: Michael Allen 98 carries, 1,081 yards, 11 TDs; Zach Bauman, 102-874, 20 TDs. Passing: Travis Dean, 90 of 161, 1,516 yards, 4 INT, 13 TDs; Kyren Poe, 28-40, 599, 1 INT, 6 TDs. Receiving: Steven Hanson, 26 catches for 590 yards, 7 TDs; Bauman 19-434, 2 TDs; Ethan Kipili’i 19-268, 1 TD.

Key stat: Mesquite is 2-2 all-time in postseason games. Both losses were to Hamilton (second round in 2002 and opening round in 2007).

Outlook: Are Mesquite’s offensive woes behind it? This is the ultimate test facing the defending state champs who are solid year-in-and-year out on defense. Mesquite’s averaged 40 points a game the last two weeks after scoring 13 points a game weeks 1-9.