Game Previews
by AZPreps365.com Staff

Recap: Red Mountain at Desert Ridge

September 29, 2012 by Game Previews, AZPreps365


What do you do when your top wide receiver is unavailable for a big game against the #3 team in the state? You don't play any wide receivers at all - and you stick to the running game.

That's what #6 Desert Ridge did Friday night in its homecoming matchup against Red Mountain. The Jaguars lined up with two tight ends on almost every play, along with a wingback next to one of the TEs and a fullback behind the guard within 2 yards of the line of scrimmage. With senior quarterback Tarek Morrison in the shotgun and a tailback standing next to him, it loked like a permanent "Wildcat" offensive formation.

And it worked. Desert Ridge ran the ball continuously - throwing just one pass all game - en route to a 31-8 upset victory over the Mountain Lions. Jags tailback J.J. Husar scored two touchdowns and amassed over 200 yards rushing. He's now got 13 TDs on the season and has almost eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark on the ground.

Danny Siamau started off the scoring with a 10-yard TD scamper for the Jaguars, who would score on their first three drives of the game and take a 17-0 halftime lead on Anthony Solis' 35-yard field goal. Taren Morrison added a late score for Desert Ridge, who improved to 5-1 on the season.

Red Mountain struggled with turnovers, fumbling once on its first drive and again in the second half inside the Jaguars' five-yard line. The Mountain Lions missed a field goal late in the first half after having first and goal from the Desert Ridge 7. Adarian Limbs recorded the only touchdown for Red Mountain on a 1-yard run on the second play of the fourth quarter.

The Mountain Lions fall to 5-1 and will host Mountain View in a Thursday game next week. Desert Ridge hits the road to face Basha next Friday night.

HOMECOMING HAPPENINGS: Desert Ridge High School celebrated homecoming on Friday night with colorful banners and decorations in the bleachers and a parade of "foot floats" along the track during halftime. But the most noteworthy moment came when the traditional Homecoming King and Queen were announced at halftime. The 2012 Homecoming King was Devin Ridd. And the Homecoming Queen was... his twin sister, Courtney Ridd. It's the first time in Desert Ridge history (and perhaps throughout Arizona) that twin siblings were awarded the titles of Homecoming King and Queen.