Oct. 8-9 football at a glance

October 7, 2015 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Most Division I and Division II teams took the section-game plunge last week for the first time in 2015. Several engage Friday (Oct. 9) in games that may well end up deciding section titles when all is said and done Oct. 30.

The week begins with a D-I game Thursday (Oct. 8) with Boulder Creek (0-6) visiting Pinnacle (4-2). Boulder Creek is one of two schools (Horizon the other) in 17-team D-I without a victory. Pinnacle, after upsetting Brophy on Sept. 25, was taken down last week by Liberty. It was Liberty's first win of the season and first in D-I. Pinnacle doesn't want Boulder Creek taking advantage of it two weeks in a row in that fashion. 

Here's a gander at a handful of games, many likely to have section-title implications:

FRIDAY OCT 9

Chaparral (5-1,1-0) at Centennial (4-2, 1-0:) So far, so good for two of the D-II powers who've stepped up to D-I this season. Placed in the same D-I section it's quite possible the winner of this game dons the section crown in three weeks. Each has a loss to an Arizona school - Centennial to Hamilton and Chaparral to Chandler. Both played last year's D-I title combatants tough in those defeats. Chaparral is currently #4 in the power rankings and Centennial is No. 7. The teams met last year in the D-II semis with Centennial winning, 24-0.

Mountain Pointe (6-0, 1-0 at Desert Ridge (5-1, 1-0): Mountain Pointe's 28-14 win over Desert Vista last week in the Ahwatukee Bowl likely makes this game's winner the section champ (provided no letdowns the final three weeks). The more consistent running game will be the deciding factor. Both teams rely heavily on one back -- Mountain Pointe Marcarius Blount and Desert Ridge Jathan Tenorio. Both are on their way to 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Desert Ridge may have a few more weapons than Mountain Pointe and one of its more balanced offenses in recent years, but Mountain Pointe's large O-Line has a tendency to wear down the opposition. Mountain Pointe has won two of three meetings -- including a playoff win in 2013.

Brophy (4-2, 0-0) at Hamilton (7-0, 1-0): Brophy was on bye last week and hopes to rebound from two narrow losses (by a total of three points) to Pinnacle and Desert Ridge its last two games. That's a tall order. Brophy is 2-8 vs. Hamilton the last 10 years and has dropped the last seven meetings in a row. The Broncos will have their  hands full with seemingly a more potent Hamilton offense. Hamilton is averaging 43 points a game and faced a tougher schedule to this point this year than last.  Bophy relies heavily on running back Ryan Velez, an all-purpose threat. Velez has accounted for 916 yards rushing and receiving and that total jumps to 1,100 with his kickoff and punt return yardage. 

Saguaro (4-2, 1-0) at Desert Mountain (5-1, 1-0): Saguaro is finding a tougher go of it moving up rom D-III to D-II, but is surviving nicely. The Sabercats look to climb the power-ranking ladder the rest of the way. They are No. 14 at present. They've lost to D-I Centennial and Pinnacle and had to battle to get past Mountain Ridge in their section opener last week. Desert Mountain has won five games in a row (all teams with losing records). This will be the Wolves' toughest game since opening with a narrow loss to Queen Creek. Desert Mountain loves to throw with quarterback Austin Nuessle passing for better than 1,200 yards and 15 TDs. About 40 percent of Neussle's completions are to junior wide out Kade Warner (55 receptions for 595 yards and 6 TDs). Saguaro got a huge game from running back Stone Matthews last week (219 yards rushing). The Sabercats Byron Murphy totaled just 104 yards rushing and receving last week. Murphy has 1,119 all-purpose yards for the season.

Skyline (6-0, 1-0) at Higley (3-3, 0-1): Skyline is the only unbeaten team in D-II and will be put to the test by Higley in this D-II Section IV matchup if the Knights can forget about their last-second loss to Williams Field last week. Skyline played without leading rusher Amarii' Keyes last week, but running back Kaleb Hardin and Keyes' sub Alvin Hendrix kept the ground game on track combining for 243 yards. Higley quarterback Mason Crossland should keep Skyline's defense hopping. Crossland completed 23 of 29 passes for 224 yards and four TDs. Crossland has an array of receivers and isn't picky in finding one. Higley has been challenged in slowing opponents so a better defensive game is needed. The Knights are giving up 35 points a game, albeit against one of the tougher schedules in D-II. 

Ironwood Ridge (5-1, 1-0) at Queen Creek (4-2, 1-0): This D-II Section III matchup is likely to be a fast-moving game as both teams love to run.  They've never played with Ironwood Ridge being a force in D-II for several seasons and Queen Creek doing the same in D-III. Ironwood Ridge is led by quarterback Harrison Beemiller and running back Cole McLafferty. Queen Creek's Gavin Danielson's workload hasn't slowed since the opener as he averages 27 carries per game. Senior quarterback Kaleb Honea has emerged and helped made the passing game relevant if need be. His top target is Armon McGuire.The winner has the inside track to the section crown, although both teams should be playoff bound. 

Verrado (5-0, 1-0) at Buckeye (5-1, 0-1): Buckeye suffered its first defeat of the season last week and wouldn't mind dealing Verrado its first in this D-III Section V encounter. It figures to be a passing-game shootout. Buckeye QB Art Bojorquez passed for 415 yards last week. He connected 12 times for 297 yards to wide out Jordy Casado in a 42-36 loss to Agua Fria. Verrado QB Lathan Lax is averaging 250 yards a game passing with his top target Xavier James. Both teams have played a light schedule in terms of opponents with playoff aspirations. None of their foes are close to earning a postseason berth to date. Both have to contend later this month with section-favorite Desert Edge.

Yuma Catholic (7-0, 4-0) at Estrella Foothills (6-0, 3-0): A challenging final three/four games for these D-IV Section IV members. After this game they each play the section's other title contender and overall unbeaten -- Northwest Christian -- the final two weeks. Yuma Catholic survived a paperwork error  that could have cost it some forfeits and has navigated the move from V to IV  well. Its only tough game so far has been its annual narrow win over River Valley. Estrella Foothills hasn't been challenged yet. The Wolves are 0-2 against Yuma Catholic, relatively close games in 2011 and 2012. EFH has played very good defense and offensively it's been the Joe Logan Show. Logan has rushed for 1,328 yards and 14 TDs. YC is averaging 50 points a game and is led by quarterback Stetson Stallworth (2,233 yards passing and 29 TDs). Stallworth has a nice tandem to throw to in Brandon Hunter and Jayen Barnes. They've combined for 1,260 yards receiving and 16 TDs. The best passing game EFH has faced so far is Glendale (last week) -- a distant second to Yuma Catholic in that regard. 

Superior (6-0) at Gilbert Christian (5-1): This game is for all the marbles in D-VI Section V. Gilbert Christian sophomore quarterback Brayden Finkbeiner has accounted for more than 1,000 yards passing and rushing and has a verstatile playmaker in Caleb Young at his disposal. Superior quarterback Nicolaus Cruz has amassed 1,357 yards passing and rushing and been part of 22 TDs. Both teams utilze several players who produce on offense. Superior lost to Gilbert Christian, 46-22, last year. The Panthers were close for a half in that one, were blanked in the second half.

Mogollon (5-1) at Joseph City (5-2): Another contest with the winner taking a section title. (D-VI Section I). These teams have had a difficult time with the top teams in the division (Pima, Gilbert Christian and Salome) who account for all their losses. Mogollon is the defending D-VI champion and relies heavily on quarterback Brock Slade and sophomore and freshman backs Devin McLean and Seth Reidhead. Joseph City is paced by backs Matthew Fields and Troy Poudrier. Quarterback Hayden Hendricks and wide out Koby Smith are a solid combo.