As Austin Carver lined up for the 20-yard field goal that would give Gilbert its first win of the season, students climbed over security gates in anticipation and Tigers quarterback Conner Helvig tried his hardest to keep his eyes on the field.

The regular season came to an end Friday night for both Gilbert and Dobson, but that ending was a little sweeter for the Tigers, who came from behind to take down the Mustangs 25-21.

Gilbert Tigers

Sometimes all you need is to simply finish what you’ve started.

Second-ranked Corona del Sol missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer as Hamilton held on for a 40-37 win in a Division I boys basketball game on Friday night.

As Trey Ingram grew comfortable being the third scoring option for the Pinnacle boys basketball team this year, the Pioneers took off.

All Gilbert needed was to take a deep breath and relax.

Chandler and Gilbert both came out firing on Friday. Gilbert, however, couldn’t keep up with the Wolves higher-powered offense. A lost snap on the first drive of the game was Chandler’s only turnover, as it cruised to a 49-24 victory over Gilbert.

Marcos de Niza took down Gilbert 49-7 Friday in a game that was seemingly decided just minutes in.

Gilbert boys basketball coach Jay Caserio knew exactly the scenario his team was in, and he certainly wasn’t going to be the one to jinx it.

In the season opener on Monday night, Mesa boys basketball forward Felipe Velazco missed a 3-pointer which would have beaten Hamilton.

So far, so good for the Highland football team in 2012.

It took a while for Gilbert’s boys soccer team to score, but in the end the result was more of the same.

Last week, Gilbert boys basketball coach Jay Caserio was lamenting all the late leads his team had given up this year by missing free throws, and hoped the trend would change in the second half of the season.

Gilbert football coach Leland Rodgers said he was fired by the school Friday afternoon.

Gilbert hired Mesquite defensive coordinator Leland Rodgers as its new football coach on Tuesday.

His Gilbert boys basketball team led 28-17 with two minutes left in the first half of the Division I, Section II semifinal game, but Tigers coach Jay Caserio knew No.1-seed Corona del Sol would make a run.

A collection of standout performances in Week 8:

Saguaro running back D.J. Foster and Chaparral wide receiver Davonte Neal ran wild on opposing defenses last year, putting up eye-popping numbers and leading their teams to state championships. It’s doubtful that any skill player will accumulate statistics approaching those marks this year, but Friday nights certainly won’t lack in star power. A host of offensive standouts return to their teams for another year of high school football. Here are five players who will be worth the price of admission this season: