Salpointe Catholic’s Bijan Robinson (5) left in the first quarter with an ankle injury. Dae han Chang stepped in and finished with 90 yards on 18 carries. He scored three touchdowns.

 Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

As two schools entered Friday night’s matchup with perfect records, only one team could remain undefeated. Salpointe Catholic proved to be the superior team by beating Tucson High 27-3, despite the Lancers playing without two key starters.

β€œThis was a really nice win, especially because we didn’t have Mario (Padilla) and Bijan (Robinson),” Salpointe coach Dennis Bene said. β€œI thought a lot of kids stepped up. It was a total team effort and it was probably the best overall performance we’ve had all year.”

Padilla was still out after suffering a groin injury two weeks prior against El Paso Del Valle, and Robinson joined him on the sidelines early in the first quarter. Robinson was questionable heading into the game with an ankle injury. He started but hit the sideline in the first quarter and didn’t return.

The Lancers still produced.

Dae Han Chang finished with 90 yards and three touchdowns in place of Bijan Robinson.

After stopping Tucson’s opening drive, Salpointe scored on a 4-yard rushing touchdown by Dae han Chang. The Lancers scored again on a rush by Sergio Sanchez on their next drive.

The only time the Lancers faltered was when they missed a short field goal attempt. But Salpointe still managed to score three times before halftime.

β€œWe came out with our heads on right for this game because against Cactus, we came out flat and it showed on the field,” Chang said. β€œWe came out today ready, ready to go.”

Salpointe’s defense only allowed Tucson three first downs in the first half. The Badgers also had a bad snap during their second possession, which quarterback Jesus Montano recovered on their own 1-yard line.

Tucson lost possession on its fourth drive after an interception by Salpointe’s Lathan Ransom.

Salpointe’s Luke Straka, right, wraps up Tucson High quarterback Jesus Montano from behind for a blind-side sack in the third quarter Friday night.

The Badgers were finally able to move the ball better during the second half, but still couldn’t find the end zone. Instead they settled for a field goal to prevent a shutout.

Withouth Robinson, who was averaging 254.4 rushing yards over his previous four games, Salpointe turned to Chang, who had a breakout game against Del Valle as Padilla’s replacement.

Bene said he’s proud of the way Chang has broken into his own over the last few weeks. Even though Chang is small in stature, he’s big at heart. He’s what high school football is about, Bene said.

β€œHe inspires his teammates because he plays so hard. He works so hard during the week. His attitude is tremendous,” Bene said. β€œThese last couple of weeks, he’s earned the touches and he’s really taken advantage of it.”

Chang finished with 90 yards on 18 carries and three touchdowns. Ransom had 77 yards on three receptions.

Salpointe quarterback Devin Green went 9 for 16 with 169 yards.

Tucson coach Justin Argraves said his team seemed too antsy in the first half.

β€œThey kind of let the game get a little bit bigger than it was at the beginning,” Argraves said. β€œSo we had to use halftime to try to calm them down a little bit, but against good teams like that, you let them get up quick like that, it’s hard to come back.”

Tucson’s Montano went 10 of 14 for 35 passing yards, and finished with minus-12 rushing yards on 10 carries.

Tucson has a bye week to recover before playing Cesar Chavez on Oct. 5, while Salpointe continues its season Friday against Sahuaro.

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Contact reporter Norma Gonzalez at 520-262-3265 or ngonzalez@tucson.com.