New Mesquite football coach Matt Gracey is still finishing the school year in California, but he’s traveled back and forth a couple times during spring to try and learn about his new school and new kids. He took a few minutes to talk about the little he’s been able to muster about his 2011 squad.

Mesquite football coach Matt Gracey has resigned after two years on the job, athletic director Jason Grantham said.

Mesquite needed a football coach. Matt Gracey wanted to bring his family back to Arizona, and a match was made.

Mesquite Wildcats

Since this is high school football, it figures it was about the math.

The superlatives rolled off the tongue: Chandler hasn’t allowed a point yet this season. The Wolves’ defense hasn’t allowed an opponent past midfield. None of the offensive or defensive starters have played after halftime. Quarterback Darell Garretson has one incompletion in two games.

Former Red Mountain coach and current San Tan Foothills assistant Jim Jones is expected to be Mesquite's new football coach.

For years, Mesquite had one of the bigger school boundaries in the East Valley.

No starting quarterback? No problem.

Transition period

After some stunning players, plays, performances and playoffs, football season has drawn to a close for another year.

The Campo Verde football team’s defense is only allowing 11 points per game, which is fifth-best in Division III. Tempe, meanwhile averages 37.8 points per contest behind the superb play of quarterback Emanuel Gant (93-of-128 for 1,521 yards, 13 TD, 6 INT).

Mesquite coach Matt Gracey said senior quarterback Steven Bevan has practiced all week since he suffered a concussion last Friday night and will play against Chandler on Friday night.

The three-week spring football session may have never been this important in the East Valley.

Mesquite snapped a three-game losing streak thanks to a dominant performance to defeat visiting Dobson 56-20 in a Division I, Section II game Friday.

Mesquite Wildcats

The three-week spring football session may have never been this important in the Southeast Valley.

The three-week spring football session may have never been this important in the Southeast Valley.

Frank Sinatra crooned a thing or two about happiness coming “The Second Time Around,” and though The Chairman of the Board never met East Valley high school football coaches, they share his sentiment.

Coming into opening night of this season, Highland felt very little respect.

After a rough start to their season, Mesquite finally got their first victory, utilizing both strong offense and defense in a 38-7 blowout of Dobson on Friday.

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.

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

For Mesquite, it was saddle up time.