Payson beats Wickenburg in 3A semifinal

Photos from the game

East battled West Saturday night in a Class 3A semifinal matchup at Phoenix Paradise Valley High School.

East prevailed as top-seeded Payson (13-0) used its two-headed senior monster to beat Wickenburg, 28-7.

Payson coach Josh Anderson's squad will play the role of favorite versus No. 2 Lakeside Blue Ridge in next week's title game at Northern Arizona University's Walkup Skydome.

Payson beat Blue Ridge 13-7 on Oct. 17. Thus, the title game will be an all-East Region matchup.

"We're going to have to be ready," Anderson said. "It was a great game the first time, and it's going to be a great game the second time."

Saturday, Payson scored the game's first 28 points due to the combination of captains quarterback Ridge Halenar and running back David Carlen. Each had two touchdowns.

On his second drive of the game, Halenar completed a 31-yard pass to sophomore receiver Westin Gibson to the opposition's 1-yard line. On the ensuing play, Carlen scored his 11th rushing touchdown of the season for Payson's 7-0 lead with 53 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

With 29 seconds remaining in the second quarter, Halenar scampered 16 yards to put Payson at the one-yard line. Two plays later, the offense finished its 13-play, 99-yard drive with its second touchdown of the game. Halenar ran in from one yard out for Payson's 14-0 halftime lead.

The third quarter didn't change much. Payson scored two touchdowns within the first three minutes of the second half.

After Wickenburg senior Sheldon Murphy fumbled the opening kickoff, Payson's offense took the field at the 15-yard line. Two plays later, Halenar tossed an 8-yard touchdown pass to Gibson.

Another turnover prompted Payson's next scoring drive.

Payson's senior defensive lineman Matt Wilson intercepted Wickenburg's Dallas Mills, giving Payson's offense the ball in the red-zone yet again.

Carlen rain three straight times for 13 yards, the last of which was a 1-yard touchdown run for the 28-0 lead.

Wickenburg (12-1) of the West region did not get on the board until 8:08 remained in the game, as senior running back Chance Thompson scored from a yard out.

Photos from the game

Brandon Alexander of Payson tries to get past Manual Harmon of Wickenburg at Paradise Valley High School in Scottsdale.