(GILBERT, Ariz.) Senior Sam Webb put on a show Friday evening, rushing for four first-half touchdowns to propel Gilbert Christian past Fountain Hills, 49-7, in the final Homecoming game of his career. 

Following Friday's performance, Webb becomes the first player in school history to surpass 5,000 career all-purpose yards (5,114). He broke the previous record of 4,439, held by Caleb Young (2017), earlier this season.

All 49 of the Knights' points came in the first half of play. Junior Bennett Juve, who suited up for his first game of the season, appeared more than comfortable on both sides of the ball, scoring twice for GCHS.

 


"It felt great to be out on the field tonight," Juve said. "I have been waiting for this game for a long time. The preparation leading up to my return has been hard, but so worth it. There is no better feeling than to be out on the field with my brothers."

Freshman Pierson Scott, who has been a big defensive and special teams contributor in 2024, tried his hand at running back against the Falcons, looking dynamic as he logged the first touchdown of his high school career.



Webb took control on the Knights' first possession, rushing 59 yards to light up the scoreboard in front of the Gilbert Christian faithful. Five minutes ticked off of the game clock before he achieved the feat once more, this time going 35 yards to stretch the advantage to 14-0.

With 1:20 remaining in the quarter, Fountain Hills cut the deficit in half, scoring what would be its only touchdown of the evening, a 12-yard pass into the endzone. 

Juve was next to strike for the Knights, pulling down a long pass from GCHS starting quarterback Caleb Ely, and beating the Falcons' defense to make it 21-7 heading into the second period of play. 

The offensive production continued in the second, as Juve grabbed another Ely toss at the 8:47 mark to extend the Knights' lead (28-7), and Webb side-stepped and broke ankles, taking his third to the house at 7:18 to make it 35-7.

Webb's fourth score was another 59-yard dash, giving Gilbert Christian a 42-7 edge with just under four to play in the half. 

Freshman Roscoe Thompson put the wheels in motion that allowed for Scott's touchdown, intercepting a Falcons' pass to give the Knights' offense great field position heading into the final minutes before the break.



Gilbert Christian made the most of the opportunity, with Ely handing the ball off to Scott, who blasted past the Fountain Hills' defense on the left side and dove into the endzone to score what would be the Knights' final TD of the game. 

Senior Brody Moore went 7-for-7 on extra point tries in the contest.

Ely compiled 124 yards, and passed for a pair of touchdowns in his first start at quarterback. Webb finished with 222 rushing yards on nine carries. Juve's 89 yards led all receivers. He also recorded eight first-half tackles for GCHS. 

Junior Hyatt Lang led all defensive players with nine tackles, two of which were tackles for loss. 

With the win, the Knights improve to 3-3 on the year. The Falcons fall to 2-4 overall. 

A regional showdown against crosstown rival Valley Christian is next on the docket for Gilbert Christian. The Knights will host the Trojans next Friday, October 4th at 7:00pm.
 

-GO KNIGHTS-