Eric Sorenson
Week 1 saw a few teams needing to work out the kinks, while others impressed in their season openers. Most of the AZHS football usual suspects appear aligned to make deep playoff runs.
Here are a few story lines, and points of interest, which caught my attention this week.
A Perfect 10
Cree Thomas didn’t flinch.
“Okay, so the jumps. You have the high jump, the long jump, the pole vault,” he continued without hesitation to the “Zone Read.” “The 400, 100, 1500 [meter]. Then you have the javelin, shot put, discus, and the 110-meter hurdles.”
The decathlon isn’t for everyone, but it’s been a way of life for the Brophy senior defensive back, and Notre Dame commit.
“I’ve just been doing it for a long time, ever since I was little,” the two-sport explained. “I think that it helped develop my athleticism, just because I’m doing multiple things – I’m throwing, I’m running, I’m jumping. I was always a multi-sport kid.
TRACK & FIELD / The Brophy track and field team members medaled in many events and brought home the second-place team trophy Friday at the Toro Invitational hosted by Red Mountain.
Recap: https://t.co/j32r4A0dFa pic.twitter.com/FxI7K9pMxU
— Brophy Athletics (@BrophyAthletics) April 3, 2023
“I played basketball and baseball growing up, so I think it just rounded me into the player I am today on the football field.”
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound 3-star recruit held high-profile offers from Oregon, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Arizona State before committing to the Irish on November 20th, in honor of his late grandfather who passed away on the same date.
H🍀ME. @NDFootball @Marcus_Freeman1 @CoachMickens @coachdrebrown pic.twitter.com/kmnzyvYbas
— Cree Thomas (@CreeThomas3) November 21, 2023
Throughout the process, Thomas leaned on the advice of former BCP standout cornerback, and likely future 1st-round draft pick, Benjamin Morrison – who has become a star in South Bend.
“I always stayed in contact with Ben, ever since he left Brophy,” said Thomas. “So, even when he was at Brophy, I’d always ask him about his recruiting process. You know, I was just a freshman…always just fanned out (laughing). He was always so genuine and always took the time to answer whatever I had.
FOOTBALL 🏈 @CreeThomas3 at Notre Dame-USC after the upset by the Irish ☘️ with @BMoe_21– who had pick in the game. pic.twitter.com/YOIehT2Ha3
— Brophy Athletics (@BrophyAthletics) October 15, 2023
“So, I always text Ben. He was my host on my official visit. Ben’s a really great guy and he really helped me through the process.”
Another process is Thomas’s spring activity, the decathlon, which is split up into two days, five events each day, with a 30-minute break in-between.
The preparation is…well, unique.
“There is no preparing for the decathlon,” Thomas said with a chuckle. “There’s the recovery [aspect]. The ice baths, the hydration, all that. But at the end of the day, you’re going to hurt. It’s just, how much are you willing to take, compared to the next guy. It’s pretty brutal, especially after the first day, waking up sore after those five events.
It’s definitely a challenge, but it’s just part of it.”
While Thomas has had plenty of experience participating in the decathlon, he admits one specific event isn’t his favorite.
“You know the 1500 is a rough one,” he said shaking his head with a smile. “It’s a long race. It sucks…but I’m going to attack it every time.”
What a hit from #NotreDame cornerback commit Cree Thomas, jarring the ball loose which his team recovered.
Don’t sleep on the Phoenix product. Opposing quarterback won’t test him so far tonight and he’s asserting himself aggressively. @CreeThomas3 pic.twitter.com/kJCrFCeb8b
— Kevin Sinclair (@KevinSinclair_) August 31, 2024
BCP, coming off a big week 1 win at Williams Field, looks to stay perfect this week when they host Regis Jesuit (CO) on Friday in central Phoenix.
Home Is Where the Heart Is
Life doesn’t always offer a do-over when presented with difficult crossroads to navigate.
If Jaxon Knutson and his family could “do it all over again,” they would.
After leading Chandler’s freshmen team to a perfect season in 2021, the rising young quarterback was prepared to take the leap to varsity, with the hopes of becoming the Wolves’ three-year starting quarterback. In January of 2022, Dylan Raiola arrived from Texas and the writing, clearly, was on the wall for Knutson’s football future.
They were, essentially, given the choice of staying for what, at the time, was expected to be two years of playing behind Raiola, or transfer out.
Not only did Knudson leave, he transferred down Arizona Avenue to rival Hamilton.
“It was a bad decision,” Knudson said to the “Zone Read.” “It was really just out of anger, and wanting to beat Chandler. Do you know what I’m saying? I knew people [at Hamilton], but I wasn’t close to everyone like I was at Chandler. It wasn’t the right fit at all.”
What was the right fit was transferring to Tempe McClintock – the school, Knudson was supposed to attend in the first place.
“McClintock was loyal from the start,” the 6-foot-3, 200-pounder said. “I played youth ball with the coaches who were there. It was my first home where I should have went to first.
“It’s tough because, I feel like, everyone has a different story. My story was a lot different than everyone else’s.”
Knutson’s story, at least for now, doesn’t include a chapter filled with college offers.
After sitting out his sophomore season, he threw for 2,786 yards and 32 total touchdowns in helping head the 5A Chargers to a 6-4 record last fall.
This season season started even better.
Arguably the best performance offensively in the entire state in week 1 for Jaxon Knutson!!
511 Total yards (466 passing) 7 total TD’s (6 passing) in a 54-31 win.
6’3 200lbs, Big Arm, Leader, Great Teammate, 2800 yards and 30 TD’s last year, @TucsonTurfElite QB1.
Whoever… https://t.co/fGiyAaE1bu
— PeteKnow (@PeteKnow_) September 1, 2024
On Tuesday he was named the Arizona Cardinals High School Player of the Week.
While some colleges have kicked the tires on the 2025 prospect, the waiting game continues for Knutson, much like at his previous stops at Chandler and Hamilton.
“It’s been a little bit of everything,” he explained when asked why college coaches have been hesitant to offer. “The [transfer] portal has been crazy. That’s definitely what coaches are looking for. Coaches have told me, ‘We’re going in the portal. If the portal doesn’t work out, we’ll come [offer].’ That’s tough.
“The COVID run off. It’s just…I don’t know.”
Most under-recruited QB in Arizona is just warming up:
McClintock’s Jaxon Knutson was 25 of 41 for 466 yards and 6 TDs, along with 45 yards, 1 TD rushing, in 54-33 win over Maricopa.
Chargers scored 36 points in 2nd quarter— Richard Obert (@azc_obert) August 30, 2024
Through all the recruiting uncertainty, Knutson has kept faith the late offers could come, much like they did for another recent under-recruited east Valley quarterback.
“The Brock Purdy story, I’m close to he and his family,” he explained. “So, if I could do exactly what he did, that’s exactly what I want to do. Be low-key, get into a college. I mean, I believe I’m D-1…get my shot there, and ultimately get a shot at the NFL.”
The reality is Purdy’s story from Perry, to Iowa State, to starting a Super Bowl is rare.
This flat-footed rocket for a score off the play fake was maybe his most impressive play of the game. Being able to generate the power to fit the ball between the safeties without lifting his feet was eye-catching. pic.twitter.com/0ShliYsD7S
— Hunter Tierney (@thehonestupdate) August 30, 2024
While Knutson can’t necessarily control his recruitment, he’s focused on being the best version of himself as a senior leader at McClintock High School.
“I’m really just playing the game, doing the best I can in school,” the 2-year captain with a 3.2 GPA said. “Being a good teammate and just letting that stuff come.
“Obviously, I’m worried about it a little bit, but I can’t let it take [me over]. I have to play my game. Ultimately, everyone’s looking at me. I’m the quarterback. Everyone’s vibing off my vibes. So, I’m just trying to be a good teammate and not think I’m [at McClintock] trying to get offers and doing my own thing.”
Kansas State, Wyoming, Montana, Fresno State, Weber State, Illinois State, and NAU have all been in contact with Knudson.
All it takes is one.
Keep on, Jaxon.
More Than Just a Trend
New Mexico freshman quarterback Devon Dampier is quickly becoming a household name early in the college football season.
To those of us here in the Valley, Dampier’s success isn’t surprising after helping lead Saguaro to their only Open Division Championship in 2021.
After an impressive performance in UNM’s season-opener against Montana State, “DD” doubled down last weekend in Tucson against the nationally-ranked Arizona Wildcats.
Devon Dampier took that man’s soul with the fake pitch @UnnecRoughness
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 1, 2024
Dampier was again victimized by drops, or just bad luck. He threw the first two career interceptions but kept the Lobos within striking distance throughout on a steamy night in his home state.
His final stat line: 24-42 for 260 yards, and three touchdowns. He also rushed 15 times for 130 yards (8.7 per carry) and two scores. His near 400 total yards on the road against a Big 12 team elevated his status even more as one of the best quarterbacks in the Mountain West Conference, despite a fairly small sample size.
That’s 4⃣ TDs for 4⃣!!!
#505SVF | #GoLobos | #EarnedNotGiven pic.twitter.com/3GqwmvznmO
— New Mexico Football (@UNMLoboFB) September 1, 2024
Dampier is thriving under first-year head coach Bronco Mendenhall, and his long-time offensive coordinator, and quarterbacks coach, Jason Beck.
“They’ve had guys like Taysom Hill and Bryce Perkins,” Dampier noted. “I kind of fit their similar abilities. Both of them were capable of throwing and running. They definitely fit the offense to what I do best.”
Off the field, Dampier has settled inicely in Albuquerque.
“The people here are really supportive,” he said. “I’ve yet to hear anything negative about me. Just being out here and talking to people, they’re more focused on the good stuff.”
