Catriez Cook, defense lead Gilbert past Airport

With the score tied 7-7, Gilbert coach Chad Leaphart knew his team was right where it needed to be.

“I told our guys, we’ve been worse off than this at the half, and come back and won,” Leaphart said.

Gilbert scored 28 unanswered points to defeat Airport 28-7 on Friday night.

Catriez Cook rushed for 250 yards and three scores to lead the way. The majority of his yards came in the second half as Leaphart said he wanted to make an effort to get him the ball.

“He’s solid, a guy you can hang your hat on,” Leaphart said.

Airport opened the game with a two-play touchdown drive, capped off by a 63 yard pass from Brett Burnett to Keryon Robinson.

“Our defense turned in a great game tonight,” Leaphart said. “(Airport) has a great offense, led by a great quarterback with a lot of weapons. Our kids had a great week of practice and great game plan.”

Airport struggled to find any offense in the second half, running just 10 plays in the third quarter.

“They dominated us in the second half,” Airport coach Kirk Burnett said. “We have to go back and find some kids with heart, some kids who want to play football.”

With the win, Gilbert moves to 4-0 on the season. The last time the Indians were 3-0 was 1999.

“We sent them scurrying to the record book to find out the last time we were 3-0,” Leaphart told his team. “Now, they have to find 4-0 and, hopefully, 5-0.”

TURNING POINT

After Gilbert broke a 7-7 tie, Airport was forced to punt on its next possession. Gilbert would have another scoring drive, putting the game away.

KEY PERFORMERS

Catriez Cook: Gilbert running back carried the ball 34 times for 250 yards and three touchdowns. The majority of his carries came in the second half.

Darius Bell: Unofficially led the Indians with 17 tackles, and constantly disrupted the Airport offense.

KEY NUMBERS

10: Number of plays run by Airport in the third quarter compared to 18 by Gilbert.

2: Number of games Catriez Cook has surpassed the 200 yard rushing mark.

THEY SAID IT

“Just living the dream right now, we’re gonna try and keep this thing going as long as we can.” Gilbert coach Chad Leaphart on his team’s start at his alma mater.

HOW THEY SCORED

1st Quarter

A: Brett Burnett 63 yard pass to Keryon Richardson – Paxton Brooks extra point (10:36)

G: Catriez Cook 18 yard run – Riser Gramling extra point (7:50)

3rd Quarter

G: Cook 4 yard run – Gramling extra point (2:13)

4th Quarter

G: Josh Strickland 19 yard pass to Peyton Loper – Gramling extra point (9:51)

G: Cook 19 yard run – Grambling extra point (4:30)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing: A: Paxton Brooks 1-13, CJ Wright 3-9, Jamir Robinson 9-(-4) G: Catriez Cook 34-250-3, Manny Bright 5-29, Dylan McNatt 5-19, Brett Duncan 1-4.

Passing: A: Brett Burnett 16-28-135-1. G: Josh Strickland 10-18-105-1.

Receiving: A: Keryon Richardson 2-61-1, Wright 10-87, Anthony Calhoun 2-15 Dylan Brazell 1-6 G: Bright 3-19, Cook 1-21, Trip Bumgarner 2-28, Brett Duncan 1-11, Dawson Burkett 1-4, Peyton Loper 1-19-1

This story was originally published September 9, 2016 at 11:40 PM with the headline "Catriez Cook, defense lead Gilbert past Airport."