Photo: 32 Brody Hanna was a force defensively last week with 17 tackles versus Vista Grande
#22 Combs Coyotes (4-0) at #7 Prescott Badgers (3-1), Bill Shepard Field, 7 pm
Tonight will be the fourth straight game that the Badgers have played an undefeated team. Last week #10 Prescott won an extremely physical battle over the #7 Vista Grande Spartans 31-26, and will play the second of three straight home games tonight.
Last season the Badgers won 42-0 at Combs, with both teams coming into the game at (1-3). What a difference a year makes. Instead of a combined (2-6), they are a combined (7-1) this season.
The Combs Coyotes make the trip up to Prescott for the first time from the San Tan Valley. The Coyotes beat Maryvale 55-8 last week, after beating Coolidge 57-0, Catalina Foothills 28-21, and in a head scratcher, a 2-0 win over Eastmark.
Sophomore quarterback Kannin Hale leads Combs with 5 touchdowns and only one interception while completing 71% of his passes. Izaak Jeffcoat averages 107 yards a game rushing and has 2 touchdowns. Branson Moak, Skyler Lawrence are the two go to receivers with 27 catches and 5 touchdowns between them. Gavin Walka at 6’5” 245 is the big man on defense and has 3 sacks. Van Merkley leads the team in tackles.
Prescott got dinged up last week while facing a larger than average opponent. The Badgers will have to shake off last weeks anemic second half, and play a solid game against a much improved Coyotes team.
Quarterback Uriah Tenette continues to extend plays with his quickness and elusiveness that frustrates the opposition in pursuit. Tenette has thrown 50 passes for 748 yards with 8 touchdowns and zero interceptions. In fact the offense has played all four games without making an offensive turnover. That is very impressive at any level and always gives you your best chance of getting a “W”. The Badgers “Big Play” receiving corps is averaging nearly 25 yards a catch, with touchdown receptions of 43, 60, 73, and 75 yards.
Adam Lloyd leads the ground game with 246 yards and 3 touchdowns. Tenette has scored 4 rushing touchdowns. Johann Gundermann remains perfect on the season, making all 20 of his extra point kick attempts and last week made his first field goal attempt. Defensively, Brody Hanna now leads the team in tackles with 39, after a 17 game performance last week versus Vista Grande. Cooper Kasun has 34. Tenette, playing safety, has two interceptions.
Tonight is homecoming, which will add to some motivation as school spirit will be at a higher level. Putting last year’s game aside, and playing to their potential will surely get the Badgers their fourth win of the season.
Apache Junction Prospectors (1-3) at #15 Bradshaw Mountain Bears (2-2), Prescott Valley, 7 pm
The Bears are returning to themselves after a very tough first two games. Last week they just got past St. Mary’s 21-20 to even their record. Tonight is another building block game against the struggling Prospectors from Apache Junction, who got their first win last week versus San Tan Foothills 33-20.
The Prospectors dropped their first three by scores of, 13-27, 0-48, 40-45. They have put up 73 points in their last two games, and their defense is now showing signs of improvement as well.
The Bradshaw Mountain offense is still struggling some and averaging a tick under 20 points per game, which means the defense is relied upon more. Kaleb Dekens leads the defense, averaging 14 tackles per game.
This should be a good game as both teams are still searching for identity in the midway point of the season. Next week Grand Canyon Region play starts and every game from now on is vital if you have playoff aspirations.
#13 Payson Longhorns (4-1) at Chino Valley Cougars (2-2), 7 pm
The Cougars had a bye a last week which gave them more time to prepare for their tough challenge tonight as they host the Payson Longhorns.
The Longhorns got back on the winning track last week with a 49-0 win over Fountain Hills. Their only loss was a 44-7 setback to Coconino. The Cougars got whooped 42-14 at Maryvale, on Friday the 13th after big 46-6 blowout win over Bourgade Catholic.
Nolan Keeney runs the offense for Payson, completing 54% of his pass for 751 yards with 9 TD passes and 7 Interceptions. Marco Gureque has 21 receptions, 7 touchdowns, and is by far Keeney’s favorite target. Gunner Lee is the leading rusher with 271 yards.
The Cougars got whooped 42-14 at Maryvale, on Friday the 13th. Quarterback Ben Sibole has completed 50% of his passes and has thrown for 932 yards and 12 touchdowns, but has 8 interceptions. Levi Akans has 298 yards rushing with 3 touchdowns. Freddy Garcia has 11 receptions for 277 yards. Garcia and Kai Holmes each have 3 touchdown catches. Holmes also leads the team in tackles with 35. Jeremiah Duplechain also has 3 touchdowns, two as a receiver, and one on a fumble recovery.
Last year Chino Valley was shut out 46-0 at Payson. If the Cougars want to be in this one they will need to play error free football and hopefully take advantage of a turnover or two.
MAXPREPS DIVISION 4A TOP 20
1 AZ College Prep 3-1
2 Thunderbird 4-0
3 Yuma Catholic 4-0
4 Snowflake 3-0
5 Mica Mountain 4-0
6 Arcadia 4-0
7 Prescott 3-1
8 Eastmark 2-2
9 Canyon Del Oro 3-1
10 Northwest Christian 3-1
11 Vista Grande 3-1
12 Estrella Foothills 3-1
13 Coconino 1-2
14 Walden Grove 1-2
15 Bradshaw Mountain 2-2
16 Buckeye 2-2
17 Poston Butte 1-3
18 Peoria 1-3
19 Seton Catholic 3-1
20 Lake Havasu 2-1
