Jared CohenSaguaro for the fourth consecutive season, have hoisted the state championship trophy as they have knocked off Catalina Foothills 42-14 on Saturday from University of Phoenix Stadium.
The Sabercats were the overwhelming favorite coming into the 2016 season in 4A with their incredible roster but the buy-in from the players thrusted in them in the category as one of the dominating seasons, start to finish, that we’ve seen.
Saguaro started fast with a long Jake Chrisopherson punt that put the Sabercats at the Foothills three yard line. For the second consecutive week, senior running back Stone Matthews would score a touchdown on the first offensive play from scrimmage. He would have three touchdowns in the first half.
Defensively, the Saguaro continues to be a load to handle. Catalina Foothills was able to move the ball some but had to work hard for every yard they obtained. Another great punt return from Jake Christopherson in the second quarter, this time being returned for a touchdown, put the Sabercats up 28 in the second quarter and they would never look back.
The running game was huge for Saguaro as they would rush for 204 total yards on the ground. The aforementioned Matthews had 113 of those rushing yards to go with his three scores. Quarterback Max Massingale only threw four incompletions out of his 16 tosses and two of them went for scores.
Defensively, Saguaro was led by Brandon Boyce who had 12 total tackles along with two sacks and two tackles for loss. Austin Shirley had two sacks as well along with four tackles for loss in the game
Rhett Rodriguez battled all night long. He passed for 105 yards and rushed for 86 in his final high school game.
It was the end of an era both both teams who are graduating very good senior classes. Many of which who are going on to the next level. For Saguaro, it is now their ninth state championship in school history.
