How one completion showed that Connor Rash can be a difference maker for Gilbert in 2023

Connor Rash completed only one pass during his first varsity start at quarterback for the Gilbert football team. But that one completion was a thing of beauty.

Rash connected on 1 of 9 passes during the Tigers' 14-12 victory over Dallas Center-Grimes at Tiger Stadium in Gilbert Friday to open the 2023 season.

Gilbert was trailing 6-0 with less than four minutes remaining in the third quarter, but the Tigers had driven down to the DCG 29-yard line. The hard-running Tayshawn Gillen had helped get Gilbert its good field position, but the Tigers needed to change things up to keep the drive going.

Rash dropped back to pass, looked downfield and spotted receiver Ean Eldred running a rout down the middle. Rash set his feet and fired the ball in Eldred's direction.

The throw split two DCG defensive backs and landed in Eldred's hands in the middle of the end zone.

“I give all the credit to my line,” said Rash. “It all starts up front. It was amazing to see them hold it together and I was given enough time to throw the ball to Ean. I trust in Ean and he’s always there on that skinny post.”

The perfect toss and Owen Mattson's ensuing extra point gave Gilbert its first lead on their way to victory.

“Connor is just that kid,” said Gilbert linebacker and running back Will Hawthorne. “We’ve been on the same team since third grade — we’ve be down a lot, and we just battle back. He’s never given up once in his life.”

More: Gilbert football holds off Dallas Center-Grimes for a 14-12 season-opening victory

Rash came into the season with a lot of confidence.

He was the hero for the Gilbert boys soccer team during its 3-2 shootout victory over Davenport Assumption in the Class 1A state championship game in June. Rash scored both Tiger goals in regulation plus the winning goal in the shootout.

“I definitely got a chip on my shoulder after that,” Rash said. “That surprised me when I got those three goals. I’m bringing that confidence and we’re bouncing it off each other here.”

Rash was a starter in the defensive backfield for Gilbert last season, but this is his first season as a starting quarterback at the varsity level. Even with his lack of experience behind center, he was voted a team captain as a junior.

“He’s always been a leader,” Hawthorne said. “He’s just a great guy to play with.”

Rash's leadership goes beyond the football field.

“At the team meal yesterday what’s he do ... he scoots over so my daughter (Mya), my five-year-old, can sit next to him because she loves him,” Lundt said. “Talk about leadership.”

On the field Gilbert runs a lot out of the flexbone. The Tigers are a grind-it-out, clock-managing offense and that means Rash is unlikely to put up big numbers throwing the football.

But he still has a lot of responsibilities he must execute well to make the offense successful.

“Anytime your quarterback is in the flexbone he’s got to make a lot of decisions,” Lundt said. “He’s only going to get more confident in his decisions.”

Even though Gilbert only had 126 yards of total offense Friday, the Tigers took care of the ball and made the plays they needed to make to put points on the board during the second half.

Gilbert did not commit a turnover against DCG. That proved to be a difference maker in a tight contest that was not decided until the Tiger defense recovered a Mustang fumble in the end zone with 1:15 left in the fourth quarter.

As the season progresses and Rash gets more comfortable, the Tiger offense will be able to open up more. Rash was gushing about Gilbert's playmakers after the DCG win.

"When you have weapons like Alden (Short), Ean and Will it's pretty hard to stop us." Rash said. "It's going to be scary."

But after seeing his team win just one game during its previous two seasons, Rash does not care what type of numbers he puts up. He just wants to end every Friday night with a victory.

"Many more to come," Rash said. "The Tigers are going to be good this year."

Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at jrandleman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Connor Rash is already showing great poise at quarterback for Gilbert