There was a *teensy* bit of hype surround the Saguaro – Chaparral game on Friday night.
One of the fiercest rivalries in the state had gone dormant for four years, but the two teams took the field in Week 4.
It did not disappoint.
Chaparral jumped out to a 14-0 lead early thanks to long touchdowns from Darvon Hubbard and Deavon Crawford. They maintained a lead for the a good chunk of the game as big plays were frequent on Friday.
But Saguaro chipped away and won the shootout 45-37. Running back Israel Benjamin rushed for three touchdowns, Will Shaffer had a receiving touchdown and an interception. The defense held Chaparral to seven points in the second half.
It’s safe to say, the rivalry has been renewed.
“A lot of guys who came before us, they would kill to play in a game like this,” Saguaro linebacker and wide receiver Connor Soelle said. “We wanted to show out for those guys and get the (win). We were down early, and we ended up playing as a team. We realized we need to play as a team and settle down, and we ended up getting the ‘W.'”
And it could be revisited in the future.
“We want this rivalry,” Saguaro head coach Jason Mohns said. “I think there wasn’t a lot of B.S. leading up to this game. I think both programs are focused. Their program is focused on trying to win 6A, we’re focused on trying to win 4A. I think we made each other better tonight…We were happy with the way it went tonight and hope we can keep this going every year.”
Music to high school football fans’ ears.
Jordan Hamm
