Photo: Uriah Tenette surveys the field before making his decision to run or pass
#8 Prescott Badgers (2-0), (6-1) at #12 Bradshaw Mountain Bears (2-0), (5-2), Tonight, 7 pm
Tonight the Bradshaw Mountain Bears and the Prescott Badgers renew their rivalry in Prescott Valley, with a lot at stake for both teams. The winner will be in a prime spot to win the Grand Canyon Region.
Each come into this game having won five in a row, and a win tonight would go a long way in securing automatic berth and a good spot in the 4A playoffs starting on November 15.
The Bears are coming of a 39-22 win at Mingus, while the Badgers took care of Flagstaff 30-3 in the NAU Skydome.
Bradshaw Mountain is led by junior quarterback Michael Sanford 6’1’, 185,who has thrown for 496 yards at a 50% completion rate with 6 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Kylin Jackson 6’0”, 180, with 386 yards and Kaleb Dekens 5’10”, 190, with 336 yards, share the ground game. Brayden Munday has also seen some action averaging five yards per carry. Jackson is also the leading receiver with 10 catches for 177 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Dekens leads the team averaging 13 tackles per game, while sophomore Diego Galaz 6’0’’, 220, averages nine.
The Badgers are led by Uriah Tenette has comleted 55% of his passes for 1334 yards passing and has 419 yards rushing. The senior quarterback at 5’11”, 170, is a duel threat and can beat you with his arm or his legs and has scored a combined 21 touchdowns. Adam Lloyd 6’0”, 175, leads in rushing with 515 yards and six touchdowns. Lloyd and Tenette both rushed for 100+ yards in the same game for the first time last week at Flagstaff. Tenette has a big play potential in his receiving corps. Led by Johann Gundermann 6”0”, 175, with 19 receptions and six touchdowns, Josiah Peoples 6’1”, 165 has 13 and five touchdowns, Eli Allen 6’1”, 190, with ten catches, and Cooper Kasun 6’3”, 185 with five catches and two TDs.
The defense dominated at Flagstaff with Brody Hanna 5’10”, 175, Gunnar Parra 6’3’, 210, Frankie Jaume 5’9’, 175, Isaac Briseno 5’10”, 170, and Kasun leading the charge. Blake Mcglory 6’5”, 300, will be a presence in the middle of the line. Then there is Tenette, with five interceptions, sitting back at safety sizing up the play.
Gundermann continues to lead the state in punting at 47 plus yards per kick. His ability to flip the field is nothing to overlook if the Badgers find themselves in poor field position.
Both teams are playing very well and this is what each team needs to do to win.
In order for Bradshaw Mountain to win they will need to control the line of scrimmage and be able to sustain long drives to keep Tenette and the Badgers off the field. If that is the case, each possession by each team will be vital. Also limit penalties and turnovers. Running is two thirds of their offense, and if they have to rely on Sanford’s arm alone, it could be a long night.
As for the Badgers, first they need to stop or at least slow down the Bears rushing attack. Second, they will need to give Tenette enough time to work his magic. He is always capable of taking off if pressured, and that is a huge plus for Prescott. The offensive line did a good job last week creating space for Adam Lloyd and company. Gundermann, Peoples, Kasun, and Allen, will need to continue to do what they have done and that is to create space for additional yards after the catch. Protection of the ball will be key as a turnover or two along with a momentum switch could play a big part in the outcome. Finally, the penalties, Prescott had 17 called on them last week which is an awful lot. Too many penalties against the Bears will put the Badgers in real jeopardy.
Prescott leads the series 23-9, 11-4 in Prescott Valley, but Bradshaw Mountain has won two in a row since dropping the only playoff game 14-6 in 2021 at Prescott. Last year Bradshaw Mountain won 21-13 and won 20-14 in 2022 in Prescott Valley. After winning four in a row in the series, Prescott has dropped three of the last four. Prescott has won six of the last ten. There has been one overtime meeting between the schools in 2007, won 17-16 by the Bears.
Broadcasts-Radio: 1490-AM KYCA, 95.9 KKLD-FM Video: KYCA.info
#12 Wickenburg Wranglers (0-2), (5-3) at Chino Valley Cougars (0-2), (2-5), Friday 7 pm
Chino Valley had an unforeseen bye week last weekend since their game at Window Rock was moved to November 7. The Cougars are looking to score after being shutout the previous two games. They dropped their last game at Kingman 36-0 on October 11. Chino Valley has lost four straight since a win over Bourgade Catholic on September 6.
Despite an (0-2) 3A West Region record, Wickenburg sits at #12 and has a good shot of winning out and earning a playoff spot. Last week Wickenburg beat Yuma 34-6.
This will be a very tough game for the Cougars and it will take a big time effort to knock off Wickenburg. Last season the Wranglers won 67-0.
