It’s hard to imagine a two-seed playing with a chip on their shoulder but Mountain Pointe looked like a team out to get some post-season respect shutting out Mountain View 56-0 Friday night in the opening round of the Division I state playoffs in Ahwatukee. It was the Pride’s (11-0) second blowout victory over the Toros (3-8) in less than a month.
Marcarious Blount was a one-man wrecking crew scoring three first-quarter touchdowns and all but dashing any hopes of a Mountain View upset. He finished with over 100 yards on the ground and four scores, further establishing himself as one of the best backs in the state.
Senior quarterback Jack Smith was efficient keeping plays alive in the pocket with his feet and throwing a 46-yard touchdown pass to Jaydon Brooks for good measure.
Norris Vaughan’s defense smothered the Toros’ spread attack and took a 42-0 lead into halftime, then continued to grind away with the run game as senior Romeo Johnson carried most of the workload with the game comfortably in hand.
With the win Mountain Pointe advances to play seventh-seed Brophy who squeaked by Pinnacle Friday night.
The Pride certainly looked the part of a title contender.
Maybe this so-called disrespect isn’t such a bad thing after all.
Eric Sorenson
