There are 2,880 seconds in a football game. Every one of them matters.
This Friday night, each of those seconds will hold the wight of a year's worth of preparation, growth, and memory as the Valley Christian Trojans (7-1, AIA No. 2) host their rivals, the Gilbert Christian Knights (6-2, AIA No. 9).
The matchup isn't just about standings. It's about seconds – how each one is used, and what those moments reveal about who a team has become.
Last season, Valley Christian fell 35-13 to Gilbert in a game that felt like more than a loss. It was a first – the Trojans had never been beaten by the Knights before. But this year isn't defined by that moment. They're defined by the 315,000 seconds they've spent since then – every drill, every sprint, every rep leading to this night.
"The emotion of losing to a team we had never lost to before last year makes our team really motivated," said Head Coach Jake Petersen. "Plus, the fact that we have kids that went to middle school there and have friends at the school makes it even more competitive."
A Season Built on Seconds
The Trojans have climbed back from that loss with purpose. Their only defeat this season came against top-ranked Benjamin Franklin – a test that showed them exactly how much each second of focus matters. Since then, Valley has rattled off decisive wins, highlighted by a 48-38 victory over Seton Catholic and a 51-0 shutout of Odyssey Institute during homecoming.
The balance of grit and growth has made Valley one of the most complete teams in the 3A conference. Junior quarterback Austin Schuder has been calm under pressure, throwing for 887 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding another 60 yards per game on the ground. His ability to stretch plays and protect possessions has become a cornerstone of the offense.
In the backfield, senior running back Caleb Goldman ranks third in Arizona 3A with 877 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, averaging over 125 yards per game. His combination of vision and power has given Valley the consistency every elite offense needs. Out wide, senior receiver Asher Hanzal, already the school's all-time leader in receiving yards, continues to make clutch plays – his seven touchdowns often coming at the game's most important seconds.
But none of that happens without the group that makes everything work – the offensive and defensive lines. The Trojans' line has been the backbone of their season, creating time for Schuder, carving holes for Goldman, and dictating the tempo of nearly every game. Senior Ethan Hodgson, Hudson Pickett, and Jackson Kuyoth have led a unit defined by discipline and toughness, one that has protected its quarterback and punished opposing offenses in equal measure. Their presence in the trenches has allowed Valley to dominate time of possession and control games from the first snap to the last. In a rivalry where every second matters, that foundation could be what decides everything.
Defensively, senior defensive end Hudson Pickett leads with 70 total tackles, while senior safety Kirstian Schoenhals and junior cornerback Noah Lewis have combined for seven interceptions. Together, they've built a defense that doesn't just stop drives – it seizes momentum.
For junior linebacker Corben Cecil, that focus on the small things has been the difference this season.
"We've focused mostly on finishing reps and staying disciplined in what we wear, say, and do," Cecil said. "To me, Bleed Blue means everything I do needs to be for God and for the greater good of my team."
Every practice, every meeting, every second has built toward this.
A Rivalry Measured in Moments
Gilbert Christian enters the matchup with a 6-2 record – a dangerous high-energy team that thrives on big plays. Quarterback Caleb Ely has thrown for 1,082 yards and 15 touchdowns, giving the Knights one of the top passing attacks in 3A. Receiver Kamari Stanburry, one of the most explosive players in the state, has 13 total touchdown's and leads Arizona in interceptions with eight. Running back Camden Gorsline adds balance with 542 rushing yards, while defensive end Hyatt Lang leads the region with 9.5 sacks.
Gilbert Christian's defense also welcomes back a familiar face in sophomore linebacker Alijah Jarles, whose season was interrupted by injury during last year's valley matchup. Jarles quickly reestablished himself as a key piece of the Knights' front seven, recording over 40 tackles, including eight for loss, and bringing a steady leadership presence to a defense built on aggression and speed. His return has reignited the Knights' energy, pairing perfectly with the comeback of senior Bennett Juve, a versatile defender who strengthens both the secondary and special teams unit, as well as being a menace on the other side of the ball. With both players back, Gilbert's defense looks faster, deeper, and more confident than it has all year.
Where Valley wins through structure and consistency, Gilbert wins through chaos. Their defense lives on takeaways – 11 interceptions this season – and their offense punishes teams that blink. The Trojans know they can't afford even a few wasted seconds.
That's where the theme of the week has been built: composure.
"The faith aspect is the most important," Petersen said. "We want guys to play with emotion, but I hate cockiness. We want men to play with high integrity and humility."
This game, he said, will test more than skill. It will test identity – who will stay true to themselves in the biggest moments.
What Every Second Means
Statistically, the matchup is close. Valley Christian averages 330 total yards per game, while Gilbert Christian averages 289. Valley leads on the ground (203 rushing yards per game to Gilbert's 154), but Gilbert edges them slightly through the air. Both defense average under 15 points allowed per game.
The difference might come down to seconds – the ones that happen when a pocket collapses, a defender hesitates, or a receiver finds space. It might come down to a single play that defines everything before and after it.
But for Petersen, this rivalry has always been about something deeper than the scoreboard.
"Our biggest point of emphasis is to do the right thing," he said. "Both schools have a jaded view of one another. The good things we do sometimes get overshadowed by the negative things we do. Coach Carlson and I have a great relationship and are working to bring a better relationship between the schools."
When asked to finish this sentence, "This rivalry isn't just about football, it's about ..." Petersen didn't hesitate: "... demonstrating how Christian schools compete."
It's a perspective that defines this team's growth. Valley isn't just chasing redemption; they're setting a standard – one built on faith, humility, and effort that doesn't waver no matter what the scoreboard says.
"We want this legacy to be about the integrity of these leaders and a change in the culture from last season," Petersen said.
The Final Seconds
The Trojans have spent an entire year preparing for these moments. Each rep, each second, has been a chance to grow stronger and more unified. When they step onto the
field Friday night, they'll carry more than just a record – they'll carry everything those seconds have meant.
Because in a rivalry like this, time doesn't just measure the game. It defines it.
Every second matters.
Every second tells a story.
Every second - Bleed Blue.
