I truly wish I had all the time in the world to write a game preview for every single westside game happening on Friday night. Over a dozen games will spread across the west valley Friday, so if you’re a football fan and not out at a game this week, you must be crazy.
Game of the Week: Cactus @ Desert Edge
The Cobras were ‘back in black’ for the first time this season against Deer Valley. First-year head coach, Joe Ortiz, debuted the new jerseys as an homage to the past Cobra home uniforms.
Surprised the guys with the brand new all black alternate! #backinblack pic.twitter.com/8NTVDf8z5B
— Cobra Football (@CHSCobraFB) September 27, 2018
Junior quarterback, Connor Cordts, made his return to the QB slot after a leg injury suffered against Estrella Foothills in week three. The Cactus defense showed up again with two defensive touchdowns in the first quarter and a lot of pressure from senior, Matthew Herrera, all game long. The defense would allow two TD’s in a 29-14 Cactus win.
It may sound crazy, but week seven could decide a region championship with the Cobra’s trip to Desert Edge. After only a couple region games, the West Valley Region fight seemed between Cactus, Peoria, and newcomer, Desert Edge. Following DEHS freshman QB, Adryan Lara’s late-game heroics against Peoria, the Scorpions could lock up the region title with a win over Cactus.
Here’s the Hail Mary that helped Desert Edge beat Peoria today 27-22. Will talk to @DEdgeFootball coach Lucero and his freshman QB, Adryan Lara, tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. on @1580TheFanatic. #AZPreps365 pic.twitter.com/kVl1q02Lri
— Jose E. Garcia (@AZPreps365Jose) September 22, 2018
Desert Edge is only 4-3 this season, but don’t let that fool you. The Scorpions gave the five-time defending 4A champs, Saguaro, a fit last Friday, but eventually fell 38-21. DEHS has proved their worth behind great offense from junior, Jihad Marks, and senior rusher, Kennith Powell. The defense has stood tall, headlined by senior, Nassir Sims, leading the team in sacks.
DESERT EDGE TD by Nassir Sims to bring edge within 10. 24-14 Saguaro with 9 to go in the 3rd @Sports360AZ @AZHSFB @gridironarizona @jason247scout @azc_obert pic.twitter.com/O4HwQoO3i9
— Christopher Day (@TheCoachDay) September 29, 2018
Neither team can be deemed an underdog in this matchup, but Desert Edge has more powerful experiences this year playing the top two teams from last season. Keeping both Cactus’ Zaach Cullop and Anthony Flores quiet on offense is a must for the DEHS defense. Regardless, it’s time for the Cobra D to show their force to make sure their offense can keep up with Desert Edge.
The Scorpions control their own destiny in the West Valley Region and can virtually clinch the region with a win over Cactus. But if the Cobras can steal a win on Friday, that would make their final game of the season against rival, Peoria, even more meaningful.
Last One Standing
In this season’s first AIA football rankings, the Liberty Lions were ranked second in the 6A Conference. Only days later, the Lions became the only team in 6A to be undefeated through week six.
In the I’m Still Standing category: Liberty only undefeated football team left in 6A
— Richard Obert (@azc_obert) September 29, 2018
Liberty routed Mountain Ridge in their first region game, 56-20, but faces their toughest stretch in 6A against powerful Desert Valley teams. Their first test is hosting Boulder Creek who is riding high after a clutch three-point victory over a sharp Chaparral squad.
How about that? Just before the final play. #FridayNight360AZ pic.twitter.com/Un7SCQHXiT
— Sports360AZ (@Sports360AZ) September 29, 2018
Liberty creamed the Jaguars in last year’s home opener, 42-7, but this BCHS team plays differently. Senior running backs, Lamar Beard and Patrick Serrano have been solid options on the offensive side of the ball, but it’s been the senior receiver, Hendrix Johnson, who has been the pulse of this Jag team.
Johnson has a dozen touchdown receptions on the season and is nearing 1,000 yards on the year. The senior has accumulated nearly half of Boulder Creeks points this season only being stopped by Highland and Sandra Day O’Connor secondaries.
The names of Ryan Puskas, Jace Accurso, Cameron Ellis, and Braxten Croteau must come out of the play-by-play announcer’s mouth a lot with the secondary making big plays to solidify a Lion victory.
@Cameronellis02 with big play chain. Pass from Jonah Guevara also pictured pic.twitter.com/7RwumcNVa8
— LibertyLionsFootball (@LibertyFBLions) September 29, 2018
Redbird Rebirth
To say Glendale is having a miraculous year is an understatement. The Cardinals are dominating teams riding their best season in over a decade.
1964
1965
1980
2002
2018Years where Glendale has started 5-0.
Cardinals beat Walden Grove 35-14. pic.twitter.com/f954imETAk
— ArizonaVarsity.com ???? (@AZHSFB) September 22, 2018
Following an absolute pounding of Cortez with a 54-7 victory, this 6-0 team has a great chance to go undefeated in 2018. Six different players broke into the end zone on Friday, including two touchdowns apiece from senior receiver, Alexis Silva, and junior rusher, Kevin Daniels.
The Cards host Washington this week, a 2-4 team riding a big two-game losing streak. Watch for the Cardinal defense to keep punishing backfields all the way to this year’s 4A tournament while winning a couple games with a stout offense.
Football Sideline Highlights Against Walden Grove. PT 1
Glendale 35-14 Glendale pic.twitter.com/2pbZlqspv9— Glendale Football (@GlendaleFootbal) September 27, 2018
I think Eric Sorensen might even agree with me on that from last week’s Zone Read.
A Big Chance to Bounce Back?
We’ll close out with a 5A west end matchup between Verrado and Millennium.
After receiving a beating from the defending 5A champs, Centennial, the Millennium Tigers bounced back with a 49-3 blowout of Barry Goldwater. Junior, Kaysan Barnett, headlined the defensive side of the ball with two interceptions.
Verrado advanced their losing streak to five games following a 27-14 loss to Agua Fria. The Vipers face an uphill battle against Millennium, but they’ve slowed down a high-powered offense before.
.@verradofootball ? defensive end @jonathon_parks has overcome personal tragedy last summer to become of the best players in the west Valley. @EricSports360AZ shares this ?? incredible story ➡️ https://t.co/MwmAUBHPjA pic.twitter.com/J5wyjCR0pm
— Sports360AZ (@Sports360AZ) May 11, 2018
Verrado almost squeaked out a win against Sunrise Mountain two weeks ago with great defensive performances from junior, Conrad Gingg, and senior, Sean Purtell. They’ll need to step up again to stop junior quarterback, Jalen Early, and the rest of the Tiger offense.
This is easily the longest list of west valley games so far this year. There are plenty of fantastic games across the whole west side. You can listen to even more on Friday’s games on the Best in the West Podcast. So, be sure to head out and support your team, but don’t forget to use #FridayNight360AZ to join in on all the talk under the lights!
Best in the West: 10/5
Cactus @ Desert Edge
Boulder Creek @ Liberty
Millennium @ Verrado
Estrella Foothills @ Peoria
Sunnyslope @ Centennial
Washington @ Glendale
Sunrise Mountain @ Raymond S. Kellis
Westview @ Shadow Ridge
Agua Fria @ Willow Canyon
Thunderbird @ Greenway
Tempe @ Moon Valley
Pinnacle @ Mountain Ridge
River Valley @ Northwest Christian
Salome @ Anthem Prep
Ironwood @ Apollo
Lake Havasu @ Deer Valley