Defense was the name of the game for the Saguaro Sabercats and the Notre Dame Saints as both teams were simply dominant in easy quarterfinal wins Friday night.
The five-time defending 4A State Champion Sabercats scored early and often against seven-seeded Cactus and cruised to a lopsided 69-6 win before their big home crowd.
All-around star running back/linebacker Connor Soelle got the scoring started with a punt return touchdown less than two minutes into the game.
From there the ‘Cats balance took over offensively, gashing the Cobras with a variety of inside run plays and some nice throws from junior quarterback Tyler Beverett.
#SagU will next face third-seeded Desert Edge next Friday at Coronado High School. The Sabercats defeated the Scorpions 38-21 back on September 28.
In 5A action NDP scored 14 first-half points which proved to be more than enough as they shutout Goodyear Millennium 14-0 to move into the semi-finals.
The Saints got steady play from senior quarterback Jake Farrell and some key runs from star junior running back Dominick Mastro. When the Tigers threatened, they were never able to push it across the goal line.
The Saints will play second-seed Williams Field next Friday at Campo Verde High School.
