Brad Cesmat
Most of the “wise guys” who watch and cover 6A football tell me that they are expecting a Pinnacle v Chandler championship final. I’ve heard that the Pinnacle program believes they can get Chandler this year(i’d be surprised if they thought otherwise). Spencer Rattler didn’t play last night because of a knee injury, have we seen him take his last snap in Arizona high school football? I am no doctor, I have not talked with the player or family, I am merely asking a business question that depending how you look at the situation needs to be discussed. Rattler is the number one quarterback prospect in the nation, he’s committed to Oklahoma so the college recruiting stuff is out of the way. From my view, he’s going to have the opportunity to play right away
at OU. Kyler Murray is having a Heisman worthy season for the Sooners, however, he signed a nearly 5-million dollar deal with the Oakland A’s last June(He was a top ten pick by the A’s in the June baseball draft). The deal with the A’s is for him to play football for 2018. Rattler has done everything except win a championship with the Pioneers. If it’s anything more than a minor MCL injury(always”minor” when it’s not your knee being talked about), then I’d be in the camp of Rattler helping backup J.D. Johnson and calling it a career. It’s very rare that I would suggest for a high school player to shut it down, but Rattler has been the exception since he burst on the scene. My hope is it’s an injury that will heal up and he’s back sometime in the playoffs, but with knee injuries, you just never know…
One of the great Arizona rivalries is this coming week. Hamilton hosting Chandler. I am looking forward to being the MC of the “Battle of Arizona Avenue” lunch this Tuesday. One of the classiest events in Arizona high school football each and every year. I’ll be interested to talk with Huskies head coach Mike Zdebski about his view of football in Arizona. He came from Michigan this past spring to take over the Hamilton job. They are rebuilding and heading in the right direction under Coach Z. Chandler is Chandler. Shaun Aguano has another team filled with future college players. They are a team that once again should be in the 6A title game…
After a narrow win Friday night over Basha, Brophy is 7-3. Two of the games they lost, the scoreboard was lopsided. I am curious to see how head coach Jon Kitna adjusts to teams in the playoffs. I am guessing that the Broncos will have a rematch against Chandler or Perry somewhere in November…
Score that surprised me most Friday night, Highland 38-7 over Queen Creek…
Game next week that is on my radar. Campo Verde at Casteel. The Coyotes lost by a field goal to Williams Field Friday night. Casteel looks like a team peaking at the right time. While many are expecting Centennial and Notre Dame Prep to meet up in the 5A title game, the San Tan region teams of Williams Field, Higley, Casteel, Campo Verde, and Gilbert are all going to be tough outs in postseason…
