For the second week in a row two powerhouse teams from Tucson and Phoenix will square off. Last week CDO blitzed Scottsdale Saguaro 44-0 to snap the Sabercats 37 game winning streak.
This week the Salpointe Lancers get their chance to topple a giant as they make the road trip to take on top ranked and defending 5A-1 State Champions, Chandler Hamilton.
In recent years Hamilton has set the standard for football in the state of Arizona winning 3 of the last 5 state titles and were runners-up for another. They have sent many players to Pac-10 universities including Gerrell Robinson (ASU), Anthony Jones (ASU), Rueben Robinson (Oregon State), Drew Terrell (Stanford) and Covaughn Deboskie (Cal).
This year is no different. Hamilton's defense is lead by senior safety Devon Carrington who has verbally committed to Stanford while the offense is lead by senior running back Zac Bauman, who has a scholarship offer from Air Force and junior offensive lineman Christian Westerman who is getting looks from Florida, LSU, Texas and USC.
For the Lancers to be successful in this game the will have to do what they have done all season long which is control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, control the clock, and run the ball.
Junior offensive lineman Jacob Arzouman has been the anchor for pretty much everything Salpointe has done this year on offense and he will need to have a great game tonight if the Lancers are to be successful. With a stable full of running back and Arzouman, the Lancers just might be able to keep this one close if they can eliminate the penalties and turnovers that have plagued them at times this year.
One other thing to keep in mind for the game... Salpointe, due to the stipulations of the ruling sent down by the AIA, can not take part in the post season this year. I think the Coach Dennis Bene and his staff just might use this game against Hamilton as what could amount as their "State Title Game."
Hamilton will be a great measuring stick for this young Salpointe Lancers squad. And, for Tucson and the rest of southern Arizona's sake I know that the while the Lancers might not win, I know that they will play hard and make us all proud.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Dorados Look for Revenge
In what might turn out to be the biggest game in the regular season in Arizona, the Canyon del Oro Dorados look to do something that no other team has been able to do in 3 years. That is beat Scottsdale Saguaro. The Sabercats have won 37 straight games and haven't lost since October 27, 2006 when they fell 24-21 to rival Scottsdale Chaparral.
The closest that Saguaro has come to losing since then was the 2007 4A-I State Title game were the Dorados were a mere 6 seconds away from topping the number 1 seeded Sabercats. Saguaro prevailed 23-21 with a late field goal from Steven Chiappetti.
One huge highlight from that title tilt for CDO was Ka'deem Carey's 91 yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Only a freshman at the time, Carey has grown into the main focus of the Dorados offense. The junior tailback is averaging 197 yards rushing per game this year and already has broken the school's single game rushing record with his 284 yards effort against Santa Rita.
While Carey was been the star, the CDO defense has been the back bone to the states number one ranked 4A-I team, giving up just over 10 points per game.
While this is a huge hurdle, it is only last major game between now and a number 1 seed in this years playoffs.
So get out and support the Dorados, support Tucson high school athletics and might just witness what might be a precursor to another great State title match up.
The closest that Saguaro has come to losing since then was the 2007 4A-I State Title game were the Dorados were a mere 6 seconds away from topping the number 1 seeded Sabercats. Saguaro prevailed 23-21 with a late field goal from Steven Chiappetti.
One huge highlight from that title tilt for CDO was Ka'deem Carey's 91 yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Only a freshman at the time, Carey has grown into the main focus of the Dorados offense. The junior tailback is averaging 197 yards rushing per game this year and already has broken the school's single game rushing record with his 284 yards effort against Santa Rita.
While Carey was been the star, the CDO defense has been the back bone to the states number one ranked 4A-I team, giving up just over 10 points per game.
While this is a huge hurdle, it is only last major game between now and a number 1 seed in this years playoffs.
So get out and support the Dorados, support Tucson high school athletics and might just witness what might be a precursor to another great State title match up.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Salpointe Football 2009
As the play-by-play announcer for Salpointe High School football on 1290 AM the source I would like to share my thoughts not only on the team that I cover but in the future I will opine on high school sports in general...
So far this year i have been quit surprised by Salpointe's varsity team. Having lost much of their offensive fire power from last year I thought they would have major problems this year. Also, with injuries to a couple of studs on the defensive side of the ball those problems seemed like they would compound themselves.
However, with a long trip to Albuquerque to take on a Rio Rancho team that is a perennial playoff team in the land of Enchantment, those thoughts of Salpointe's demise where exaggerated.
The Lancers overcame a 10 point halftime deficit to win going away 34-24. New starting quarterback, Junior Jordan Backerman, led the Lancers through the air, while Dominic Cozetti found the end zone 3 times to seal the win.
In week two the Lancers tuned in a fine defensive performance with a 11-3 win over Catalina Foothills. The win was preserved with a late goal line stand which was punctuated with a forced fumble and recovery.
Week three saw stud Senior safety Chase Gallagher return from injury and help thwart Casa Grande 23-7. The C.S. Bears could only muster 203 total yards and a late touchdown as the Lancers moved to 3-0 on the young season.
This last week saw the Lancers avenge their only regular season loss of last year with a 48-27 route of rival Ironwood Ridge. Salpointe was dominate on the ground gaining 295 yards. Freshman Johnny Pena led the way with a game high 172 yards and a score. Jordan Backerman only had to throw the ball 8 times, completing 6, one of which went for a score. He also added 2 rushing TD's. The win improved the Lancers to a perfect 4-0 this season.
Up next: Sierra Vista Buena (3-2)
Last meeting: Salpointe 52 Buena 21
So far this year i have been quit surprised by Salpointe's varsity team. Having lost much of their offensive fire power from last year I thought they would have major problems this year. Also, with injuries to a couple of studs on the defensive side of the ball those problems seemed like they would compound themselves.
However, with a long trip to Albuquerque to take on a Rio Rancho team that is a perennial playoff team in the land of Enchantment, those thoughts of Salpointe's demise where exaggerated.
The Lancers overcame a 10 point halftime deficit to win going away 34-24. New starting quarterback, Junior Jordan Backerman, led the Lancers through the air, while Dominic Cozetti found the end zone 3 times to seal the win.
In week two the Lancers tuned in a fine defensive performance with a 11-3 win over Catalina Foothills. The win was preserved with a late goal line stand which was punctuated with a forced fumble and recovery.
Week three saw stud Senior safety Chase Gallagher return from injury and help thwart Casa Grande 23-7. The C.S. Bears could only muster 203 total yards and a late touchdown as the Lancers moved to 3-0 on the young season.
This last week saw the Lancers avenge their only regular season loss of last year with a 48-27 route of rival Ironwood Ridge. Salpointe was dominate on the ground gaining 295 yards. Freshman Johnny Pena led the way with a game high 172 yards and a score. Jordan Backerman only had to throw the ball 8 times, completing 6, one of which went for a score. He also added 2 rushing TD's. The win improved the Lancers to a perfect 4-0 this season.
Up next: Sierra Vista Buena (3-2)
Last meeting: Salpointe 52 Buena 21
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