The Deer Valley Skyhawks kept their perfect season in tact following a thrilling 53-46 homecoming victory over the Millennium Tigers Friday night in Glendale. The game went back and forth all night, with six of the games touchdowns going for 60 yards or more. Lavonta Hatcher ran in from 21 yards out to tie the game at 46 with 2:02 left in the fourth quarter, but Deer Valley senior quarterback Auston Hillman orchestrated a six-play, 80-yard drive that he capped off with a one-yard TD run with 23 seconds left.

Hillman finished 14-of-22 for 253 yards and two scores for the Skyhawks, who remain undefeated at 5-and-0. Hillman also had nine carries for 124 yards and two TDs. Trae Armstrong, who entered the game with 476 yards rushing and eight touchdowns, had 28 carries for 234 yards and three scores. Armstrong had TD runs of 63 yards, 80 and 1. The 80-yard scamper followed Jerrell Green’s 80-yard TD catch the started the second half and gave Millennium its only lead of the contest. Deer Valley will put its perfect record on the line next Friday at Bradshaw Mountain, which is 4-and-1 on the year.

Green also had an 89-yard kick return for a touchdown and a 16-yard TD catch just before halftime for the Tigers, who fell to 3-and-2. Chad Hons threw for 322 yards and three scores, while Kieren Duncan had six catches for 182 yards and a TD. Millennium travels to Cesar Chavez this coming Friday. Chavez is 4-and-1 following a 56-14 win at Independence.

Thomas Jenkins