Former Arizona high school football talent was on full display Saturday in Flagstaff as Northern Arizona University dominated from start to finish in its 59-35 win over Southern Utah to retain the coveted Grand Canyon Trophy.

Freshman quarterback R.J. Martinez found a rhythm early through the air for the Lumberjacks, completing 23 of 29 passes for 417 yards on the day. He connected with five different NAU receivers, three of which former local high schools, and had seven total touchdowns. NAU had 721 total offensive yards. It was the most since 2009.

Southern Utah found some success on offense but were unable to close an early gap set by the Lumberjacks in the first half.

With the win, NAU improved to 3-3 on the year and 2-1 in the Big Sky.

Arizona Varsity Lead Analyst Cody Cameron and Managing Editor Zach Alvira were in Flagstaff for NAU's big win. They highlight below some of the best performances from former Arizona high school football players on both teams.

The former Higley Knights' standout wide receiver finished the day hauling in nine passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns. His 75-yard reception in the first quarter set up NAU's first score of the game. He also found the end zone on passes from 4 and 22 yards.

NAU head coach Chris Ball called Owen's outing a "normal day" for the redshirt freshman.

"It's really easy and it's simple for them, they work harder than anybody on the football team. It doesn't shock me," Ball said of Owen and wideout Hendrix Johnson. "They show up everyday, have the same attitude everyday, bring the same effort everyday, everyday they come out and make themselves better. If everybody worked like they work we wouldn't lose a game. These guys are special, special players."

Owen, one of 70 local players on NAU's roster, said playing alongside some of Arizona high school's former standouts is a blessing. Especially when most are older and he is able to take after them as role models.

"It's awesome, even just looking back at the high school days and you hear of kids like Carson Taylor who's way older, and you get to come in here and meet those guys," Owen said. "It's just awesome to come in here and build a relationship with all of the Arizona guys. I mean it's really just an Arizona All-star team and we're just doing what we do."

Hendrix Johnson, aka "Weapon X," was right alongside Owen leading the charge for the NAU offense. The former Boulder Creek standout had five receptions for 154 yards and two touchdowns.

His impact was felt both in the passing and run-game for the Lumberjacks, with several key blocks downfield that allowed NAU's tandem of Kevin Daniels and Draycen Hall break free for long runs.

The ability to block down field is key for Hendrix and the rest of the wide receivers room. It's something NAU wide receivers and former Mesa coach Junior Taylor take pride in.

"That's everything," Johnson said. "If we are blocking for the running backs it allows the receivers to get open. Coach (Junior Taylor), he's an amazing coach and he knows what we need to do. Every single day we practice blocking. Whether it's inside, outside, pass-game, run-game, helping out everybody, he gets us right."

Kevin Daniels' jaw dropped when he saw his final stat line after the game. And for good reason.

The former heart and soul of the Glendale Cardinals had a career day against Southern Utah, rushing for 229 yards on 19 carries. He found pay dirt once on an 86-yard run that sealed the victory in the fourth quarter.

"It was crazy because I didn't think I had that many," Daniels said. "I thought it maybe got to 200. I'm blessed to even have this opportunity to run that many times behind this offensive line and be here."

Former Higley standout running back Draycen Hall was effective on the check down out of the backfield for Martinez and the Lumberjacks. He only had two carries for 2 yards, but was on the receiving end of a 5-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter.

Former Hamilton standout Brandon Schenks found the end zone late in the first half for Southern Utah's second score of the game. He finished with five receptions for 31 total yards, his longest a 20-yarder that set up Southern Utah at NAU's six-yard line midway through the second quarter.

LB Tristen Vance, a Hamilton alum, led the NAU defense with 14 total tackles, 5 of which were solo and 1 for a loss. He also had a forced fumble that resulted in Lumberjack touchdown.

DB Colby Humphrey, a true freshman from Desert Vista, was lock down in the NAU secondary. He had 8 total tackles and two pass breakups.

LB Harrison Beemiller, an Ironwood Ridge alum, had 3 solo tackles for the Lumberjacks' defense, which was dominant in the first half against Southern Utah.

DL Eloi Kwete, the sophomore from Central, had 1 solo tackle and combined for a tackle for loss.

DB Brady Shough, a Hamilton alum, had four total tackles before exiting the game in the third quarter with an injury to his right lower leg area.

DL Carson Taylor, the Apollo alum, played lights out for the Lumberjacks on the defensive line. Early in the game, he had a strip sack that turned into an NAU touchdown.

LB Eddie McClendon, the Mesa alum, got considerable reps for the NAU defense late in the third quarter and he made the most of his opportunity. He stuffed a run at the line of scrimmage and recorded a quarterback hurry that was a half-second short of being a sack.

Ball was thoroughly impressed with the performance from his players Saturday in Flagstaff. Owen, Johnson and Daniels sat alongside him in the media room postgame as he made a heartfelt speech about the local talent that inundates his roster.

From both sides of the Valley to the White Mountains, Ball and his NAU staff scower every corner of the state looking for gems overlooked by bigger in-state schools and those outside of Arizona.

And especially after games like the one against Southern Utah on Saturday, he is thankful they chose to play for Flagstaff's team.

"We have 70 Arizona kids on our roster," Ball said. "These kids work hard and deserve to be supported.

"I love our players. I mean, you talk about great people. I am blessed to be their head coach. I am absolutely blessed."

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