The Basha-Saguaro sequel was an instant classic.

The Open Division championship rematch from last December was billed as a chance for Saguaro to exact revenge against the defending state champions, but Basha and quarterback Demond Williams Jr. refused to go down for a second consecutive week.

The Bears overcame a fourth quarter deficit to pull out a thrilling 35-31 victory over the host Sabercats Friday night in a 6A shootout that lived up to the hype.

Williams worked his typical wizardry through the air and on the ground, throwing for 218 yards and rushing for another 185 while accounting for all five Basha touchdowns.

Coming off a Week 3 loss to Highland, Basha (2-1) could ill afford another early season loss.

“I told my teammates we couldn’t have a repeat of last week,” Williams said after the game.

“We couldn’t do what we did last week and just stall and pray for the defense to make a stop. We had to take matters into our own hands and try to score every time we got a chance.”

Trailing 31-28 with 4:25 remaining, Williams Jr. found Noah Roberts over the middle, and the super freshman broke away from defenders for a 42-yard touchdown. It was the fourth lead change in eight minutes, but ultimately the game’s last.

Roberts’ breakout performance was one of many from both sides.

Saguaro quarterback Mason Bray kept his team in the game with his own brand of timely playmaking. The senior threw for three touchdowns and kept drives alive with his legs as well.

As Basha appeared to be pulling away towards halftime with a 21-7 lead, Bray marched the Sabercats 95 yards down the field in 52 seconds, finding tailback Jaedon Matthews for a 15-yard touchdown just before the half and closing the gap to 21-14.

The momentum carried over into the second half.

Saguaro’s Bo Hampton drilled a 41-yard field goal midway through the third quarter, and the defense put together consecutive stops. Down 21-17 as the third quarter was nearing its end, Bray led another scoring drive, ending with a six yard touchdown to Saguaro sophomore tight end Kamden Segall on the last play of the quarter.

“You really have to give Saguaro credit, especially after being down 21-7,” Basha coach Chris McDonald said.

“We were up two scores last week, so it was frustrating to another team back into the game, but they made the plays. It was two great teams battling tonight.”

Saguaro led 24-21 entering the fourth quarter, when Williams re-ignited the Basha offense. The senior directed an 80-yard drive by picking up chunks of yardage on the ground, including a 12-yard scoring run to put the Bears back on top 28-24.

Saguaro came right back in two plays, as Bray found Segall open over the middle for a 45-yard touchdown, and just like that Saguaro led 31-28.

Williams came to the rescue again, converting on two third downs before finding Roberts for the 42-yard score and 35-31 lead.

Saguaro still had four minutes to work with, but Basha’s defense finally clamped down, as senior Miles Lockhart broke up a pass play on fourth down, allowing the offense to run out the clock.

“We just had to have faith in each other and let things fall into place,” Williams added.

Javery Mayberry and Corey Chisley caught touchdown passes in the first half for Basha.

Jaedon Matthews also scored on a 26 yard run in the first quarter for Saguaro.