#4 Casteel storms back to defeat #5 Higley in 6A Quarterfinals

Keeping their season alive, the Casteel Colts defeated the Higley Knights 39-34 on Friday night to advance to the 6A quarterfinals.

Both sides started slow on offense to begin the game, although Higley was able to get on the board first.

The run game was strong for them as it helped them march down the field.

Capping off the drive was sophomore running back Rylan Irwin scampering into the end zone for a big 30-yard touchdown. 

Casteel was able to respond by putting up points of their own on the next drive.

Helping them get down the field was junior quarterback Tee Smith, who extended the drive with his passing and running.

Ultimately, the Colts had to settle for a field goal that was made by freshman kicker Jack Demmelmaier from 23 yards out. 

Higley was once again able to find the endzone as Irwin had another big run, this time for 50 yards. Then, a couple of plays later, junior athlete Anthony Palka rushed for a 4-yard touchdown.

Closing the gap before halftime, Casteel was able to get back on the board. 

It was once again Smith making plays as he scored a 3-yard rushing touchdown. 

The Colts have faith in Smith every game, and Smith has the same faith in them. 

“We’re all brothers, I have faith in my line and my whole team,” Smith said. “(We) all have faith that we can get the job done.” 

Even after letting Casteel cut the lead before halftime, Higley still kept their foot on the gas to start the third quarter.

Kick returner Jordyn Harris had a massive return to set his team up at the 9-yard line. 

Then, a few plays later, it was once again Palka scoring this time from one yard out. 

Casteel head coach Joe Bushman knew his team wasn’t playing their best football at the time they were trailing. 

“We felt like we weren’t playing our best football,” Bushman said. “But we dug in. We’re learning how to win around here.” 

After the bad start to the second half, Casteel found a way to rally the team.

It started when junior athlete Troy Jauregui had a massive 40-yard rushing touchdown. He then caught the 2-point conversion to cut Higley's lead to just three points. 

Higley was able to score again, though, as senior quarterback Gunner Fagrell connected with Palka for a 30-yard touchdown. 

Trailing by 10 points, Casteel then flipped the script.

Casteel started their fourth-quarter comeback on the drive after their junior running back Wyatt Defreitas had a 55-yard touchdown run. 

The Colts' defense came up huge, too, as after Casteel scored a touchdown, their defense recovered a fumble. It was junior defensive back Luke Herron who recovered the fumble for them. 

They then got their first lead of the game as Smith connected with Jauregui on a jet sweep pass for a 2-yard touchdown. 

Jauregui mentioned that even though they trailed for a majority of the game, the team kept the energy up.

“It was the team, the sideline guys kept us energized,” Jauregui said. “Every player wanted to go out there and play for our brothers.” 

The defense for Casteel was able to keep Higley out of the end zone once again on the following drive.

The Colts were able to chew a good amount of the remaining clock in the fourth quarter and sealed the game as Smith scored another rushing touchdown. 

Higley was able to score again at the end of the game, but time wasn’t on their side, and Casteel came away with the win. 

Casteel is playing their best football at the right time and has earned a spot in the 6A semifinals. 

Even though they had a big win over Higley, they aren’t done yet. 

“Job’s not finished,” Smith said. “What’s there to be happy about? Job’s not finished.” 

Next up: Casteel will host #8 Salpointe Catholic in the 6A semifinals. Higley's season is over.