High School football week Five games to watch

Chandler (4-0) at Mountain Pointe (4-0)

Without a doubt the game of the week in high school football. Mountain Pointe off to their magnificent start knocking off Hamilton and Desert Vista leading to a number one ranking in power points. But Chandler could very well be the team that matches up with the Pride the best. Chandler has a lot of talent on the outside both offensively and defensively to counter Jalen Brown through the air and Garrette Craig on the ground. But doing so has not been an easy task for anyone who’s faced the Pride this season. Should be a lot of fireworks in this one.

Horizon (4-0) at Pinnacle (4-0)

It’s time to show us what you’re made of. Both Pinnacle and Horizon are off to great starts in 2012 but are really yet to be tested. The combined record for opponents of Horizon is 4-12 and for Pinnacle is 3-13. This will be a good measuring stick for both teams, even though they are in separate divisions. Pinnacle has been dominant offensively because of their great offensive line and the play of their quarterback Michael Sanders who has proved that Pinnacle’s offensive attack is not just on the ground. But their defense has been susceptible to the big play and have allowed 20 plus points in three of four games. Horizon has the Quinn twins offensively who have combined over 900 yards of rushing in four games and also the great play of Kristian Salinas leading the Huskies defensively.

Ironwood Ridge (4-0) at Marcos de Niza (4-0)

Ironwood Ridge has blown through the competition in Tucson through four weeks this season. Now they take their talents up to the Valley for the first and only time this season to face a team that has loads of talent and has been stellar, Marcos de Niza. Tyler Williams is the man to watch for the Nighthawks because of his great versatility on both sides of the football. But Williams when lined up at quarterback on offense, will have to deal with one of the nation’s top recruits in Priest Willis for the Padres. U of A commits Maurice Lee and Paul Elvira are always tough to contain as well. There has been buzz around Ironwood Ridge coming from Tucson but they will now show how much of a contender they are taking on Marcos this week and Centennial the following week.

Sunrise Mountain (4-0) at Liberty (4-0)

A great matchup between two west side teams making noise in Division III. Liberty has received fantastic play from their quarterback Tyler Rogers. He has already thrown for over 1,000 yards on the season with 14 touchdowns and no interceptions. Sunrise Mountain’s offense has been lights out as well. Wide receiver Elroy Masters has been masterful with 18 catches for 650 yards and ten touchdowns in four games and will as always, be a big factor in this game. But you also can’t sleep on Elijah Castro running the football. If you like offense, this is where to be on Friday night.

Cactus (3-1) at Saguaro (3-1)

A rematch of last year’s Division III championship game. Saguaro came out the winner behind excellent play from D.J. Foster who is now a Sun Devil but also from quarterback Luke Rebenzer who is back and off to a great start to the season. Sophomore stud Cristian Kirk missed the first two games due to injury but the last two weeks he had made is presence known with eight catches for 290 yards and four touchdowns. Cactus’ only loss this season was in California and have taken care of business in Arizona. The Cobras will look to keep their offense rolling which is averaging close to 50 points per game so far this season.

Show Low (4-0) at Payson (3-1)

In Division IV this game should not have very many empty seats as Show Low, coming off a heart stopping victory over Snowflake last week, takes on the Payson Longhorns. Payson is off to a great start to the season and not easy to beat at home despite the fact that their lone loss this season was a home loss. The undefeated Cougars will look to dominate the line of scrimmage in a hostile road environment and rely heavily on their run game for this one. Dallin Crandell, who had 221 yards and two touchdowns last week, will be the one Show Low counts once again.