Sande Sez- Postcard from under the Friday Night Lights

Arizona Sports News online

It’s Friday the 13th, so anything was possible tonight… let’s start at Horizon High School as the Huskies hosted the Saguaro Sabercats. Don’t let the 26-0 score fool you. This was no walk in the park for Jason Mohns’ squad. Though Quintin Somerville, Tristan Monday, Jordan Ginnis (really opened some eyes tonight), and the Sag defense put a cap on the Husky attack, holding them to just 49 yards of offense and their first scoreless performance in a decade, it never felt like Saguaro was ever able to get on a roll (credit to Horizon’s defense). For the Sabercats, though, it pays off to have talent carry you on an off night. Javen Jacobs found the end zone twice, and Lucas Meridith & Mason Davies each had touchdowns of their own, but again, when you know the Mohns Standard, I’m sure the weekend film review will carry plenty of teaching moments. By the way, Meridith was really fun to see get some carries later in the game- he runs extremely tough. Sad to see Horizon’s QB Drew Boxwell go down with a leg injury. Let’s hope it’s nothing serious. He’s going to be a fun guy to watch next fall.

 

I‘m sure I’ve said it before, but hats off to Centennial and the way they’ve positioned themselves as an Open contender. The Coyotes put together another statement win, beating Chaparral, 42-28. For those that missed Week 1, these Coyotes look nothing like the team that played Hamilton. They’ve responded and have made statement after statement with their play about how they deserve to be seen as postseason contenders. How about Kavaughn Clark with 4 touchdowns tonight! I’d like to see anyone else do that to the Anthony Lucas and Jack Whitten- led Firebird defense. Impressive!

 

Lastly, a stop in Safford, Arizona! I have always wanted to visit Eastern Arizona, and tonight it happened as well as getting to see one of the best rivalries in the state as Thatcher and Safford went head to head. Tonight’s game not only had a trophy on the line but also a playoff birth as well. It was a defensive battle to start the game, and still no score after the first quarter. Both teams made adjustments on offense and got on the board by the end of the 2nd quarter, where it was tied 7-7. Thatcher’s Brandon Napier scores from two yards out to give Thatcher a 20-7 lead in the 3rd quarter.  In the end, the Eagles took the win, and the trophy returns to Thatcher for the third year in a row. Final score 27-14.