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Eagles run sprints after win in Arizona
- Updated: September 8, 2025
Granite Hills in action on Saturday vs. Perry (Ariz.)
Granite Hills Head Coach Kellan Cobbs is one of my favorite coaches in the country!!
After a tough win on the road vs Perry that was riddled with penalties he ran his guys.. pic.twitter.com/CDXbn3mwUs
— Just Chilly (@JUSTCHILLY) September 7, 2025
2025 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL
GRANITE HILLS 27, PERRY (Ariz.) 20
EastCountySports.com
GILBERT, Ariz. – The No. 2-ranked Granite Hills Eagles showed they could win tough games on the road, but head coach Kellan Cobbs wasn’t about to let them forget about the mistakes that nearly let victory slip away.
Despite a hard-fought 27-20 win over the Perry Pumas on Saturday night, Cobbs had his players running sprints on the field immediately after the final whistle, punishing them for a slew of penalties that left the outcome in doubt until the closing minutes — even though they were nearly 345 miles from their home stadium.
The Eagles (3-0) made the long trip to Arizona looking to avenge last season’s home loss to Perry, and while they came away with the result they wanted, the game was anything but clean.
Granite Hills’ offense produced 348 yards and the defense came up with multiple momentum-turning plays, but the penalties stacked up drive after drive, forcing Cobbs to send his message in the most direct way possible.
Still, when the Eagles executed, they showed the balance and toughness that have made them an early-season CIF Open Division contender.
Junior quarterback Zac Benitez went 20-for-30 passing for 165 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. His scoring throw went to senior Noah Walker, who finished with three receptions for 39 yards.
The Eagles’ most reliable weapon through the air was senior Tristan Diaz, who caught 13 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown, continuing his emergence as one of the county’s most productive receivers.
On the ground, the Eagles leaned heavily on junior Anthony Mattar, who carried 38 times for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Mattar’s second scored of the game, from 5 yards, gae the Eagles a 27-13 lead with 8:13 left in the fourth quarter. Benitez added 41 rushing yards on 13 attempts.
Granite Hills RB Anthony Mattar scores his second touchdown of the game this one from 5 yds out..
8:13 4thQ
Perry 1️⃣3️⃣
Granite Hills 2️⃣7️⃣ pic.twitter.com/aNu0RhGTuK— Just Chilly (@JUSTCHILLY) September 7, 2025
Special teams also factored in the victory. Junior kicker Jacob Nunez was perfect on two field-goal attempts and added a pair of PATs.
The defensive unit, however, may have been the difference. Granite Hills forced multiple turnovers and delivered some of the game’s most impactful plays.
With Perry threatening late in the first half, Jayden Thomas intercepted a pass and returned it to the 2-yard line, setting up an Eagles score just before halftime.
“Big interception by Jayden Thomas right before the half to get us a big scoring opportunity,” Cobbs said. “That was a real turning point.”
Senior defensive standout Elijah Schutza echoed his coach’s praise for the defense but credited the entire unit for stepping up in key moments.
“The whole defense was lights out tonight. You know everyone was on their A-game. We had some big plays tonight, lots of turnovers and forced fumbles,” Schutza said. “I can’t pick just one person because the whole team contributed in one way or another. We had a player in his first game from the CIF sit-out period and he did not disappoint, coming up clutch with an interception. Then Rocky Gosek with the big hit causing Jayden Thomas to get the interception and bring it down to the 2-yard line. But all around this was a great game for the defense, and as you know, defense wins championships. So if we keep this going we should keep it rolling and hopefully go get a state title.”
The Pumas, who came in riding the momentum of a 34-30 opening win over Boulder Creek, again relied on their ground game behind quarterback Kael Snyder, but Granite Hills’ defense tightened in the red zone, forcing Perry to settle for short drives rather than long scoring runs.
A 95-yard kickoff return by Amos Augustine got the Pumas off to a 7-0 start on the opening play.
In the end, the Eagles’ ability to capitalize on turnovers and convert field position into points made the difference. Mattar’s second touchdown run extended the lead in the second half, and while Perry closed the gap, Granite Hills maintained its composure in the final minutes to secure the win.
Even with the penalties overshadowing the performance, the Eagles left Arizona unbeaten and battle-tested, a victory that both exposed areas for improvement and underscored their championship potential.
