Jordan Spurgeon
Can you believe it’s already the mid season mark for big school Arizona high school football?
I can’t, especially with 105+ degree temperatures at kickoff still…
But I digress, there’s a lot to get to.
Biggest Thursday night message sent
On Thursday night, there were 18 tackle football games played.
None were bigger than Highland (5-0)versus Red Mountain (5-0).
Red Mountain showed they can compete with any team in the state, with a dominate 28-11 victory.
Quarterback Simon Lopez is having a blast in that offense. The defense has elite play makers in the front seven and the secondary is fast… like track speed fast with the mentality to bruise every player coming their way.
Red Mountain HC Kyle Enders on starting off 6-0:
“One game at a time” he says.
He talks about how last season they started off 4-1 and dropped 5 straight.
The Mountain Lions in one of the toughest regions in the state with region games still to play against ALA QC and Queen… pic.twitter.com/IKCOiqoYUr
— PeteKnow (@PeteKnow_) October 4, 2024
If Red Mountain gets into the Open, expect them to make a run and compete with any team not named Liberty (I mean Liberty is in a class of its own). A brutal schedule with ALA Queen Creek, Queen Creek, Hamilton, and Mesa Mountain View will be the true test for Kyle Ender’s team. I think it will only take two wins to stay in the Open Division.
Highland will bounce back as well. Consider them a top 5 team in the state with Liberty, Basha, Brophy, and Red Mountain.
Big DAWGS showing out
Speaking of Basha and Brophy, these squads faced off Friday night.
Basha ultimately won 35-32, led by quarterback Brodie Vehrs and multiple rushing touchdowns by sophomore Noah Roberts.
We already stated that Liberty is in a class of its own this year… but if any team can catch them it’s Basha. Chris McDonald has so much talent, speed, size, and really everything to work with.
Brophy isn’t leaving the top 5 conversation. Case Vanden Bosch is separating himself as a super dual threat quarterback. Daylen Sharper and Devin Fitzgerald are consistently finding the end zone and making big plays. Brophy is primed for a big run, the rest of the schedule should be winnable for the Broncos.
Don’t forget these West side powers
Desert Edge had a slow start to the season, but the tide may be changing in their favor.
Sophomore transfer quarterback Blake Roskopf was activated this week and may just be the answer to this offense.
TOUCHDOWN! Blake Roskopf in his 1st drive as a Scorpion finds David Cabrera for the early lead over Milennium 7-0. @Sports360AZ @gridironarizona @WSSArizona @AZHSFB pic.twitter.com/uikZoMc9bQ
— Chris Day (@TheCoachDay) October 5, 2024
The Scorpions beat Millenium Friday night handily 40-13. This team has play makers all over the field in every class and at every position. There’s no denying that. Now with a new quarterback in, things may just lead DE back to ASU at the end of the season.
Also on the West side, Centennial is gearing up for a wild second half following a 1-4 start to the season. Transfers are activated and it showed Friday against Saguaro. The Coyotes won 30-20.
A bye week will do the Coyotes well. I’ll keep saying it every week, but don’t be surprised to see this team holding a gold ball as the 6A champion this year…
Butter not enough to take down Patriots
Mountain Pointe started ASU quarterback commit Michael “Butter” Tollefson tonight against ALA Queen Creek. The senior California transfer looked poised, but Mountain Pointe was outmatched in the trenches by ALA Queen Creek’s big men. Tollefson was sacked at least seven times, so not a great litmus test to see what he could do for the Maroon and Gold in the future, but that’ll change against different competition.
We saw the Patriots win the Big Man competition at Chilly’s Flight Club this season… Not many teams are competing against them and winning interior battles.
