Mesa Red Mountain continues to make strides from its slow start. The Lions, ranked sixth in Division I, used a balanced offensive attack in winning its fourth straight, a 55-14 decision over Mesa Mountain View on Thursday.

Mason Thorman threw for 225 yards and three touchdowns while Cougar Garcia paced the ground assault with 114 yards and two scores for the Lions (5-2).

Mountain View (3-4) didn’t get a scoring drive until late in the second quarter – only to give up a long TD pass right before halftime. Red Mountain went on to score on its first four possessions of the second half to put the game away.

Mountain View quarterback Chase Funk had limited success late in the first half but he ended up throwing three interceptions – all to Chris Sepulveda – and a fumble early set the tone.

The Lions gained 223 yards on the ground Thursday night, holding Mountain View to 148 total on offense. Red Mountain has turned it around since losing two of its first three and travels to 1-6 Westwood next week while Mountain View tries to get back at Highland (2-5).

-Al Bravo