It was time to reflect and be grateful, it was time to savor the moment. Despite everything, it’s time to play football.
Here we go.
Returning the calendar to October means Week 1 of Arizona’s most important school season in the COVID-19 era, and there have been wild arrivals, wonderful walks, returns, unforeseen advances.
Review:
Not only was it smart to be back, but it was wonderful to see the kids despite all being able to let go and have fun. There were 56 schools between 6A and 2A that could not have a Week 1 game due to the Scene in Chandler Hamilton’s entrance area after beating Peoria Centennial 42-0 on opening night was priceless. The band played the combat song in front of them, as players lifted their helmets, and many stood out at a celebratory dance. .
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Hamilton celebrates the 42-0 centennial goal and the fact that they were nevertheless able to play a football match in the pandemic pic. twitter. com/6W5TnuExRZ
More than six months of uncertainty have become an evening of courage that will never be taken away from them.
This is year 3 for coach Mike Zdebski and arguably his most productive team. The Huskies made a Centennial team look slow and athletic, filling the ground game and preventing any airstrikes with a physical speed and play that imposed their will. the Coyotes in a quarter-final rematch of last year’s Open Division. Hamilton has so many features in attack, led by the dynamic Colorado duo formed by QB Nicco Marchiol and RB Noah Schmidt. Then the RB Deshaun Buchanan moment goes up, and here’s a deep and talented Hamilton Hamilton team had five quick touchdowns: two through Schmidt and Buchanan and one through Marchiol.
If you felt sorry for Phoenix Northwest Christian and Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin for being promoted to the ranks of wonderful schools, promoted from 3A to 4A, founded on their successes beyond, don’t do it. Northwest Christian beat Buckeye Youngker 54-0 and Benjamin Franklin beat Chandler Seton Catholic 33-6 in his 4A debut. Both schools attempted to sue the Arizona Inter-School Association for promotion, saying it endangered “undersizing” players by attending a larger conference. They lost the case. Northwest Christian is a team of 27 seniors who grew up in combination with football. They’ll be fine. The same goes for Benjamin Franklin, who lost his only two games last year to American Leadership Queen Creek, adding up to the 3A finals.
After graduating from four ball carriers who each had at least 700 yards on the court last season, BF coach Dave Jefferies’ biggest fear was who would bring the Ball Greetings to Marquise Byrd, a 5-foot-10-inch, 185-pound senior, who ran 21 times for 157 yards and 3 touchdowns. “It certainly opened some eyes, ” said Jefferies.
And, oh, by the way, ALA Queen Creek, promoted to 4A, opened with a 37-13 defeat from Phoenix St. Mary’s.
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Even in an 28-20 loss to Yuma Catholic, Brian Cole of Phoenix Christian showed that he can coach any team, at any level, and make the most of it. Eagar Round Valley did it with Northwest Christian and Benjamin Franklin. Yuma Catholic is a perennial power of 3A. Cole graduated the most of his top productive players from last year’s team that reached the 2A final. And when COVID hit, he lost more players who transferred or didn’t play. But receiver Howard Russell proved he can play with anyone. 3 touchdowns – in a 68-yard clearing return, a 42-yard catch and a 6-yard run.
“His return from kick-off was one of the most productive I’ve noticed in 30 years as a coach,” Cole said.
“We’ve shown that we can play with 3A teams,” he added. “But it also showed that the lack of intensity is going to be a challenge this season. “
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The 2023 class in Arizona is busy, but perhaps no team is more loaded with sophomores than Glendale Mountain Ridge. The super-sophisticated came here on Friday night in a 43-13 win over Mesa Skyline. Quarterback Brendan Anderson, making his first start at school, threw for 280 yards and three landings and ran for some other. He had two TD assists remembered through penalties. His sophomore, Deric English, put in three landing passes and had some other as a penalty. Jacob Kelley, another sophomore, ran 104 yards on 14 hauls. “We knew last year’s freshman team special and last night we started showing the strength of that team, combined with some talented school returns in what may have been more than 500 yards of attack. in a first game of the season with a shortened off season,” coach Doug Dit Madoski said.
Eloy Santa Cruz, ranked No. 1, was the favorite to beat no. 2 Gilbert San Tan Charter on Kerry Taylor’s debut as coach of an autonomous school that passed to AIA 2A after winning the Canyon Athletic Association championship. The score would be 61-0. Taylor came in with high hopes of making a big effect in the first season of school as a member of the AIA. It’s just a game, a possibility for Taylor’s team to regroup. Santa Cruz is special, led by offensive side Hunter Ogle, who had 250 yards and 3 touchdowns. Santa Cruz coach Rishard Davis told The Eloy Enterprise that he deleted his Twitter account, so he was not aware of the hype surrounding San Tan Charter in order to send a message.
San Tan Valley Combs searched for a home opponent Tuesday after Cave Creek Cactus Shadows had to cancel due to two positive cases of coronavirus, forcing the team to begin the 14-day quarantine process. Sierra Vista Buena, looking for a game, answered the call and took the 3-hour bus at short notice. Because most southern Arizona football is on hold, guided by the Pima County Department of Health, Buena only had two games scheduled before accepting the Combs game. Your three games are on their way. Buena enthusiasts were able to buy about 250 tickets online and the Colts won 33-20.
It has been a long wait since Gilbert’s 2019 season ended on November 8 in a 45-14 playoff loss to Goodyear Millennium, but values the wait. The Tigers avenged the defeat with a 24-7 win in the first game of the season at home. Offensive part Cooper Zellner, son of coach Derek Zellner, ran for 153 yards and a landing on 18 hauls. Fullback Jayloni Pizarro had 72 yards and one. In 15 hauls. Wyatt Zellner, an eldest, Derek’s other son, had 10 solo tackles, five assisted tackles and one catch. Daniel Fulton had 15 tackles, 10 home runs solo.
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Queen Creek Casteel, Anthem Boulder Creek through 20 six-minute issues for playing in the third quarter, scored a 36-35 victory with a decisive play by catcher Isaiah Newcombe, Quarterback Dane Christensen and defensive. Casteel rolled down, before Christensen discovered Newcombe for a 3-yard score and victory problems with approximately six minutes to play. Newcombe returned a 73-yard exit kick to land and put in a 48-yard pass. Cisneros, a ball carrier/receiver, ran for 108 yards on 11 carries, put in 8 passes for 135 yards and returned 60 yards. It had 475 multiple landing yards and 3 landings. ” Jacob Cisneros has been phenomenal, ” said Casteel Bobthrough coach Newcombe. “He was a tough player. “
Coming back to win, Newcombe said, showed the center of the team: “It’s the trust we can build, knowing we can come back. “
Gilbert Higley led California Quarterback Kai Millner’s exaggeration at the longest educational camp in history, but it was Higley’s defense that succeeded, which made the Knights of 6A revel in success for the first time. impressive because Mountain Pointe is expected to be much older this year with new coach Eric Lauer. In recent years, Higley has grown from 4A to 5A and now to 6A.
“I’m proud of the way our players reacted in our first game in the 6A,” coach Eddy Zubey said. “Mountain Pointe is a program and going out the door with a victory is wonderful for our program. “
Higley stopped Mountain Pointe on four consecutive moves from the 2 Higley yard line with less than two minutes to the end. “It was huge for us, ” said Zubey.
Tempe Corona del Sol missed the radar, before beating Phoenix Desert Vista 28-0. Desert Vista was a 6A semifinal team a year ago, but the Aztecs are starting to compete with coach Jon Becktold, who has been able to revive the offenses. . But the defense is a surprise. He had five catches, with the defense led by Jake Schmitt and Tudor Georgescu. Corona can score with Quarterback Quade Swearingen and offensive part Anyale Velázquez. Swearingen had three touchdowns and one continuous run, while Velázquez had 136 yards on the ground, averaging 6. 2 yards. consistent with executing.
It was the axe war, but this time, football players and Wickenburg coaches had to come to Parker alone. Enthusiastic visitors were not allowed under the COVID-19 security protocols applied by the Parker district. Wickenburg won the fire axe, the symbolic trophy that goes to the winning team, beating the Broncs 46-38.
“It’s one of the good games, it’s a shame not to have fans,” said Wickenburg coach Mike Mitchell. “Both groups played very well in the first game. “
Wickenburg runner Bryson Alder ran for 236 yards and five touchdowns and had a 43-yard interception return. “It’s remarkable side functionality, one of the most productive I’ve ever had,” Mitchell said. “He has speed, strength and he played with his heart. “
– Facing the most productive player he has trained in his long career, Mike Morgan of St. Johns denied a 337 victory in his career, which would have put him ahead of Paul Moro and only as an all-time leader in the state in training victories. . Marcus Bell’s Eagar Round Valley team won 38-12, as Jovan Ortiz intercepted two passes, adding one in Round Valley’s 3-yard line. Ortiz’s other interception returned 67 yards to 3, preparing a touchdown.
– Tucson Salpointe Catholic, another Southern Arizona team with a rare game, seized his chance by beating Casa Grande 29-21. Salpointe has only 4 games scheduled so far, resuming games opposed to Buena on October 9, Pinnacle on October 16. and Mountain Ridge on November 6. Lancers can be the replacement equipment if other groups have to cancel due to quarantine.
– Goodyear Desert Edge won his first game with head coaches Marcus and Mark Carter, beating Canyon View 56-0, while Washington state young Adryan Lara finished 10 out of thirteen for 240 yards and five touchdowns, adding two to Andrew Patterson, adding a 60-yard Scorpions hit 59 total yards.
– Flagstaff Coconino kept Tempe Marcos from Nice on a two-point check out to win 29-28, while offensive side Zach Bennett paved the way for the Panthers hosts.
– Scottsdale Desert Mountain forced 4 ball losses in a 24-7 win over Peoria, while defensive finale 6-3 and 230 pounds Jacob Jablonski intercepted a pass and sent him back to score. Anthony Pescatore also picked up a getaway and returned it for a TD. Rogan Freeburg had an overdue interception to seal it.
– Surprise Valley Vista QB Burt Delay finished 18 out of 25 for 421 yards and six touchdown interceptions in a 45-17 win over Avondale Agua Fria.
– Chandler Prep, on his debut with coach Tommy Brittain and his son Josh, recovered from a 21-13 deficit with two touchdowns in the last 4 minutes to beat Glendale Prep 25-20. Sophomore Sterling Harris triggered the return with an interception. for a TD. Reese Vilaboy’s scoring pass to rookie Creon Fulgham were the winning points.
– Gavin Smith, brother of Texan catcher Jake Smith, had two interceptions and two touchdowns in Scottsdale Notre Dame’s 28-10 win over Phoenix Brophy Prep in the first game.
– In a 48-7 win over Payson, Lakeside Blue Ridge QB P. J. London finished 14 out of 18 for 221 yards and one landing and ran for 102 yards and three haul landings.
Phoenix Pinnacle, who defeats rival Phoenix Horizon 52-13, will face Chandler, a 44-10 winner opposed to Peoria Liberty, at the Republic of Arizona Game of Week next Friday. Pinnacle Devon Dampier. Chandler, the protective champion of Open State, has won 27 games in a row.
For concepts of articles of human interest and other news, contact Obert at richard. obert@arizonarepublic. com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter @azc_obert.