Photo: 21 Adam Lloyd had 134 yards rushing with a touchdown in the 40-28 win over Combs
Lee Williams Volunteers (1-4) at #7 Prescott Badgers (4-1), Bill Shepard Field, 7 pm
The Badgers wrapped up their undefeated opponents part of their schedule last week with a 40-28 win over Combs. Lee Williams got blasted by Mohave 48-13. Prescott is a perfect 3-0 at home while the Volunteers are looking for their first road win of the season after dropping their first two.
The two teams are going in opposite directions this season, after the Volunteers beat the Badgers 36-33 last year in Kingman, and won the Grand Canyon Region for the first time.
Lee Williams averages 20 points a game and are led by first year starting quarterback Morgan Quinn who has thrown for 949 yards with 8 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. The ground game is where Lee Williams struggles the most. Leading rusher Lucas Leist has just 159 yards on the season. Receiver Dawrius Walema has 26 receptions and 6 touchdowns. William Steele leads the team in tackles with 6.5 per game.
The Badgers had 3 turnovers last week, the first of the season, and were able to overcome their miscues. Quarterback Uriah Tenette continues to showcase his abilities whether it be running, passing, or sitting back as a defensive back like a cat ready to pounce on a mouse. Tenette threw his first interception last week, which was a complete fluke, as the receiver fell down leaving the defender ready to take advantage. Defensively, Tenette provided the highlight of a school record 105 yard pick-six and took home the crown as Homecoming King. Can the senior sensation top that tonight?
The receiving numbers are just crazy as the Badgers have three players averaging over 30 yards a catch. Josiah Peoples and Johann Gundermann are the two primary targets with 5 touchdowns each. Cooper Kasun is the other.
Defensively the Badgers are led by Brody Hanna, 10.4 tackles per game, Cooper Kasun, 8.4, and Adam Lloyd with 7.2. Add Gunnar Parra into that mix since he returned last week after being out due to an injury. Another weapon for Prescott is Gundermann’s leg. Averaging 48 yards a punt gives him plenty of opportunity to flip the field if need be.
This should be a blow out, but the Prescott will need to play well in their first Grand Canyon Region game and would like to have that good feeling as they enter their bye week.
#12 Coconino Panthers (2-2) at #16 Bradshaw Mountain Bears (3-2), 7 pm
It is hard to get a tougher matchup than this, for your first Grand Canyon Region game. The benefit for the Bears is being at home.
Bradshaw Mountain is right on course, winning their last three. Coach Bob Young’s team seems to get stronger and better each week, and they will need to be ready to go tonight against their toughest opponent since week two.
Coconino beat Poston Butte 31-20 at home last week. Bradshaw Mountain beat Apache Junction 38-15. Last season Coconino pounded the Bears 41-7 in Flagstaff.
The Panthers defense is tough, allowing just about 12 points a game. Dylan Buckley anchors the defensive unit and leads the team averaging 10 tackles per game. Fernando Ramirez averages 6 yards per carry and has 448 yards on the ground. Asher Young is the top receiver for senior quarterback Colton Buckingham, who has completed 57% of his passes for 708 yards, 4 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.
The Bears are averaging over 200 yards on the ground led by Kylin Jackson. Junior quarterback Michael Sanford has had some success throwing for the ball for 335 yards, 4 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Jackson and Desmond Tolbert are his two favorite targets.
The big question is can the Bears move the ball against the Panthers defense. Ball security will be very important in a game of this magnitude and Bradshaw Mountain will need to get the Coconino offense off the field and limit their lengthy drives.
Chino Valley Cougars (2-3) at #5 Mohave Thunderbirds (4-2), 7 pm
Tonight will be a tough one for the Cougars as they pay a visit to Mohave in Bullhead City. Chino Valley is 0-2 on road, and Mohave is 3-0 at home.
Both teams are averaging a tick under 30 points per game.
Last week Mohave beat up Lee Williams 48-13, while the Cougars dropped their second game in a row to Payson 42-14.
Last year the Thunderbirds flew through Chino Valley 70-0. This season the Cougars have more offense and potentially could hang with Mohave, for a bit anyway.
Mohave runs a balanced offense with quarterback Joe Yoney leading the team in rushing with 129 yards and throwing for 137 yards per game.
The Cougars offense is averaging over 300 yards per game with quarterback Ben Sibole throwing for 233 yards. Levi Akans is rushing for 75 yards and Freddy Garcia leads the receivers with a 69 yard per game clip. Kai Holmes continues to lead the team in tackles at nearly 9 per game.
NOTE: Rankings courtesy of Maxpreps. Prescott, Coconino, and Bradshaw Mountain are 4A Division rankings. Mohave is a 3A Division rank.
