Game Previews
by AZPreps365.com Staff

Preview: Northwest Christian at Scottsdale Christian Academy

September 6, 2012 by Game Previews, AZPreps365


The Scottsdale Christian Academy Eagles return home to face the Crusaders of Northwest Christian in a battle of 2-0 teams on Friday night. Scottsdale Christian has still not allowed a touchdown this year, having blanked Camp Verde to open the season and surrendering only a pair a field goals in a victory at Fountain Hills. After a narrow 16-14 win over Yuma Catholic in Week 1, Northwest Christian shut out Red Rock; but the Crusaders will be playing their first road game of 2012 this week.

Eagles senior quarterback Luke O'Neill is among the leaders in Arizona with 318 passing yards, three touchdown passes, and three TD runs through two games. His favorite target through the air is senior wideout Sam Filingame, who has caught seven passes for 111 yards and two scores to go with an 86-yard touchdown on a kickoff return. Junior tailback Zechariah Gatling is SCA's best ground gainer with 161 yards rushing and an average of almost nine yards per carry.

Kyle Shipp, the Crusaders' senior signal-caller, did not allow a pass to hit the ground last week as he went 7 for 8 for 127 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. The three-headed monster of running backs, junior Xavier Juarez and seniors Hunter McShanag and Sammy Serwa, have amassed 250 yards on the ground through the first two contests - with a per-carry average of almost 14 yards. Junior Ryan Friedlander already has an interception and a fumble recovery on defense for the Crusaders.

MaxPreps ranks Northwest Christian as the #18 team in the state, while Scottsdale Christian Academy is ranked 36th in the same poll. Game time is 7pm at Scottsdale Christian.