The Wildcats can take a deep breath at last.

After back-to-back losses, Mesquite High’s varsity football team found itself on top in a Class 5A non-region game Friday against the Ironwood Eagles 33-6.

The game quickly took a turn for the better in the second half for Mesquite. The Wildcats picked up the pace and outscored the Eagles 27-6 in the final two quarters.

“Our backs were against the wall, and this was a must win,” Coach Chad Degrenier said. “We came out and got it done.”

Coming off of two tough losses, the Wildcats knew there was no room for another one if they wanted to improve their record.

Wide receiver Deandre Kelsey put the team on his back. Kelsey ran down the sidelines into the end zone with a 75-yard catch and run, putting the Wildcats up 30-0 in the fourth quarter.

“They (teammates) see me as a leader, so I just have to show them if I’m working hard, everybody else has to work hard, too,” Kelsey said.

Kelsey and his teammates did just that. Just like Kelsey, kicker Matt Brock turned it up a notch.

Brock nailed a field goal from 40 yards near the end of the fourth to put Mesquite up 33-0 with 5:40 left in the game.

Along with this field goal, Brock was responsible for 9 of the team’s points and was awarded player of the game for his outstanding performance.

“It means everything to me,” Brock said. “I just did what I do in practice all the time and it paid off.”

After a low scoring first half, both teams were desperate for some points.

The Wildcats (2-2) quickly got it together at the start of the second half with running back Chandler Coleman’s 40-yard run. The run fell short of a touchdown, but kicker Matt Brock came in to make a 23-yard field goal.

The Eagles (0-3) continued to struggle to get points on the board throughout the entire game. “Our defense stepped up and did what they’re capable of doing,” Degrenier said.

The Eagles finally put some points on the board right before the clock ran out.

Running back Devante Wimbish pushed his team down the field play after play. At last, wide receiver Nate Guzman finished the job. Guzman ran the ball in for a 4-yard touchdown with 18 seconds left in the game.

it was too late. The Wildcats still led 33-6.

Together, the Wildcats’ offense and defense came together to get the win for themselves and their school on their homecoming game night.

“We struggled last week, and it was nice to see us come back and do what we’re capable of doing,” Degrenier said. “I’m very excited moving forward.”

Mesquite will play at Desert Edge (2-2) at 7 p.m. Friday.