(LAVEEN, Ariz.) No. 5 Gilbert Christian delivered a come-from-behind victory of epic proportions Tuesday, upsetting No. 2 Heritage Academy Laveen, the 2025 3A state runner-up, 13-10 in overtime.

Trailing 10-0 entering the fourth quarter, the Knights stormed back to force overtime before senior Meredith Johnson drilled the game-winning field goal to complete the season-opening stunner.

Heritage controlled the scoreboard early, taking a 7-0 advantage into halftime before adding a field goal in the third quarter.

Then the Knights came alive.

Senior quarterback Alyssa Cervantez connected with junior Mackenzie Henderson for a touchdown, and Johnson added the extra point to pull the Knights within three. Johnson later knocked through a field goal to even the score at 10-10.

Heritage had an opportunity to end it late in regulation, but a potential game-winning field goal missed, sending the top-five matchup to OT.

The Knights' defense had done its part to keep GCHS within striking distance. Senior Riley Bublitz wreaked havoc in the Heritage backfield, recording five flag pulls and four sacks, including four stops for loss. Sophomore Brielle Sager intercepted two passes and added four flag pulls as Gilbert Christian kept the Heroes off the board in the fourth quarter.

In the extra period, the Knights turned again to Johnson.

The senior, also a star on the soccer pitch for Gilbert Christian, converted her second field goal of the night under heavy pressure, giving GCHS its first lead of the game and, ultimately, the only one it needed.

Johnson's impact extended well beyond the game-winner. She accounted for seven of Gilbert Christian's 13 points, led the Knights with 45 receiving yards on two catches and handled the punting duties, averaging 27.7 yards on three punts.

Cervantez threw for 83 yards and a touchdown, while junior Adriana Vranicic added 41 yards on 12 carries and completed two passes for another 43 yards. Freshman Harper Leland rushed for 39 yards on six attempts.

Henderson finished with three receptions for 34 yards, while Sager caught three passes for 28 yards.

Gilbert Christian (1-0) returns to action Thursday at Scottsdale Prep, with kickoff set for 6 p.m. The Knights will remain on the road Tuesday, Sept. 22, against River Valley before returning to Gilbert for their home opener Thursday, Sept. 24, against Tuba City at 6 p.m.