Best Arizona high school stadiums
The Republic’s Richard Obert lists his favorite stadiums around the state of Arizona.
The Arizona high school 4A football semifinals will take place at 7 p.m., Friday, at the higher seed sites. The Republic breaks down both games with predicted scores. The 4A championship game will be played Dec. 6 at 4 p.m., at Arizona State’s Mountain America Stadium.
4A semifinals
No. 4 Tucson Mica Mountain (12-0) at No. 1 Yuma Catholic (11-1)
This game features an explosive, pass-oriented offense in Yuma Catholic against Mica Mountain’s incredible pass rush that is led by Jimmy Leon. If the Shamrocks can get dynamic receiver Sir Stokes loose, they should prevail. But that’s the hard part, because Mica Mountain doesn’t give quarterbacks much time to set up in the pocket. Leon has 14 of his team’s 26 sacks. The defense has allowed just 64 points, while the Thunderbolts have scored 468 points. They’re looking to reach the state final for the first time, after losing their only two games last season to state champion Oro Valley Canyon del Oro. Yuma Catholic wants to carry coach Rhett Stallworth into the state final. Stallworth has said this is his last season leading the program. His son Rocky is a top linebacker who leads the defense with 185 tackles, 16 for losses. Mica Mountain has an explosive offense, so Yuma Catholic has to hope not to get into a game where it is chasing the Thunderbolts, who can turn the game with turnovers. Mica Mountain is still a relatively new school. But its coach, Pat Nugent, has state championship experience. He took Canyon del Oro to the 2007 state final, a loss to Scottsdale Saguaro. Expect a great game that could go down to the final seconds.
Prediction: Yuma Catholic, 27, Mica Mountain 24
No. 3 Snowflake (12-0) at No. 2 Chandler Arizona College Prep (11-1)
Snowflake won’t have the cold weather to its advantage having to travel from the White Mountains for this. But the Lobos know how to bring a crowd, and they’ll play tough, physical football against a team that loves that style of football. Snowflake coach Kay Solomon has done an incredible job over the years creating a culture in the White Mountains, where kids dream about playing for Snowflake when they get into high school. They took on the move from 3A to 4A a few years ago and got to the 4A final two years ago. Now, they’re looking to not only get back there but to win the state title. ACP is led by first-year head coach Steven Vaught, whose team has yet to lose to an Arizona team this season, after opening the season with a loss in Indiana to Crown Point. ACP is very efficient on offense, led by QB Evan Heinrich (2,112 yards, 29 TDs, one interception passing), and three running backs who have combined for 22 touchdowns on the ground. ACP’s 43-29 win over Yuma Catholic on Sept. 27 showed that this team is built for its first title. Since a 13-10 win over Eastmark in late October, Snowflake scored more than 40 points in each of its last four games. Expect a thriller here.
Prediction: Arizona College Prep 29, Snowflake 22
Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. He also covers Grand Canyon University athletics and the Arizona Rattlers. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at [email protected] or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert
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Publish date : 2024-11-26 06:31:00
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