Eric Sorenson
As the calendar turned to October earlier this week, Arizona’s big schools (4A, 5A, 6A) reached the halfway point of their schedule.
While some pre-season predictions and story lines have followed script, other unforseen stories have unfolded from teams, players, and coaches you maybe wouldn’t have expected this summer.
This week “Zone Read” decided to break up our musings into three categories, so let’s get started.
What We Know
At least through the first month, Liberty and Basha are the two best teams in the state. Wash, rinse, repeat for these Open Division regulars.
Despite an out of state loss to nationally ranked Centennial (CA), the defending Open Champion Lions have been dominant, shutting out Desert Edge and O’Connor, then giving Mountain View their only loss in the first half of the season with a 29-point drubbing in Peoria. This week brings a cross-city trip down the 101 to Chandler to take on the Wolves. The post-Navi-Bruzon Era appears to be in good hands with senior Hayden Fletcher running the offense.
Basha also has an out of state loss, a tough 31-28 setback in southern California to 10th-ranked Mission Viejo, but have more than handled their business in State 48. Chris McDonald’s team will certainly be tested in the next three games at Brophy, Hamilton, and at Chandler. Junior quarterback Brody Vehrs hasn’t thrown an interception this season (98 attempts), while sophomore running back Noah Roberts (11 total touchdowns) has become the big-time, explosive home run hitter we all expected him to be. With it, the high major offers have rolled in, as well.
This isn’t breaking news to people who read this column consistently. Highland isn’t talked about enough. Death, taxes, and Brock Farrel winning football games. In fact, he not only has never had a losing season at HHS, he hasn’t won less than seven games in a season since taking over the program in the spring of 2017. This year the Hawks are off to a 5-0 start, including a statement win over Chandler last week. Their remaining schedule will certainly get Farrel’s team playoff-ready with games against current unbeatens Red Mountain and ALA Queen Creek, as well as 4-1 Queen Creek and pesky Williams Field. Highland’s usual discipline and balance on both sides of the ball will serve them well.
What We Think
Brophy will make The Open. While Basha on Friday presents the biggest challenge to the Broncos, things are setting up well for Jason Jewell’s team, even if they come up competitively short against the Bears. 5-0 BCP has outscored their opponents 171-62, including shutouts over over Regis Jesuit (CO), and rival Notre Dame Prep last week. After Basha, the schedule is manageable with a possible regular season finale in Tucson against Salpointe Catholic. Brophy’s rushing attack is averaging 220 yards per game, while the talented wide receiver duo of Devin Fitzgerald and Daylen Sharper, both juniors, have combined for 30 receptions, 501 yards, and eight touchdowns. Quarterback Case Vanden Bosch leads the team in rushing (392 yards) and touchdowns (eight).
Every coach loves a two-way star. Few players in Arizona have been more productive than Highland Prep’s Aiden Calini. The 6’5, 185-pounder, who also plays basketball, leads the state with nine interceptions (NINE!!) in just four games played. Offensively, he tops the team in catches (25), yards (444), and receiving touchdowns (seven). The only thing better than Calini’s season to this point is Highland Prep’s nickname: the Honey Badgers. Elite in so many ways.
Quietly, Verrado is off to a 3-1 start and trending up under Jeremy Hathcock who returned to the Valley last spring. Hathcock has implemented a similar program blueprint to the one he did Mesa Desert Ridge and the fit couldn’t be better for both sides. The veteran coach went into detail about why he made the move from the White Mountains to the West Valley on this episode of “Bleacher Report” with Sports360AZ’s Claudia Collins and Jordan Spugeon last summer. The mostly senior-led Vipers are positioned for only their second winning season since 2018.
What We Know, We Think
Travis Dixon is the perfect fit at his alma mater. Over the past few years, the behind-the-scenes drama in the Hamilton football program equaled the talent on the field for one of Arizona’s true blue bloods. A change in leadership, and culture, was desperately needed, and Dixon hit the ground running after coming over from Eastmark. Many, including myself, believe Hamilton (5-0) is the best coaching job in the state. The resources are endless, the area is loaded with talented players, and student enrollment is consistently strong. After a soft first half schedule and this week’s bye, things ramp up next week with Basha, followed by Perry, Casteel, Red Moutain, and rival Chandler to end the regular season. Expect the Huskies to hit some bumps in the road in the coming weeks, but the program is in great hands under Dixon and his staff.
In what appears to be a fairly wide open 4A conference, Thunderbird is poised to make a post-season run. The Titans are a perfect 5-0 and have been dominant on both sides of the ball. The defense has already pitched two shutouts (Moon Valley and Greenway), and hasn’t given up more than 14 points in a game this season. The signature win, to this point, was a 36-14 thumping of 4-1 Prescott. Offensively, running back Elijah Little has been unstoppable. The senior is averaging almost 200 yards per game on the ground and has 16 of T-bird’s 21 rushing touchdowns. The Titans’ top 10 tacklers are seniors, paced by edge Ryan Cavalami (35 tackles, three sacks, three fumble recoveries). “Zone Read” expects Matt Nalette’s team will be a very tough out this fall.
While Mica Mountain may want a word, Marana is the best team in southern Arizona. The season started with statement win over 6A Salpointe. Two weeks later, the Tigers put an exclamation point on their 2024 arrival with 36-28 win over back-to-back 5A State Champion, Higley. Tucson High, Marana Mountain View, and Canyon del Oro have been little more than speed bumps, being outscored 150-20. Quarterback Colten Meyer, a cousin of southern Arizona QB family – the Bourguet’s, completed 30-34 for 470 yards, and three touchdowns in the 48-0 win at CDO. The wide receiver room is loaded, highlighted by University of Washington commit Dezmen Roebuck. The Tigers host 4-1 Casa Grande in two weeks. The game could decide the 5A Southern Region.
