Jim Dean highlights AIA high school football championships
Associate Executive Director Jim Dean highlights the final championship matchups during the AIA high school football championships media day.
The 5A final is the second of the AIA’s state football championships doubleheader on Friday night at Mountain America Stadium. It’s slated for 8 p.m., but expect it to be closer to 8:30 p.m., if not later, with the 4A final starting at 4 p.m.
The Arizona Republic breaks down the 5A final with a predicted outcome.
5A state championship
No. 7 Goodyear Desert Edge (9-4) vs. No. 4 Glendale Cactus (10-3)
Why does Desert Edge have the lower seed, despite beating Cactus 21-6 this season? Maybe because Cactus has one more win and Cactus beat a Verrado team that beat Desert Edge in Week 10. Nevertheless, Cactus is feeling the underdog role for this rematch, after the offense was underwhelming in the Nov. 1 meeting. In that game, Cactus generated only 20 yards passing and 22 yards rushing. Talented wide receiver JuJu Stubblefield was held to one catch for two yards.
“It all starts at practice,” Stubblefield said. “If we can have a good day at practice every day, I feel that helps us a lot. Of course last time, it wasn’t our best offensive performance. So we’re looking to get it back and do good this time like we do against other teams.”
Cactus is coming off one of its best offensive showings in a 38-35 upset of top-seed ALA Gilbert North in the semifinals. In that game, quarterback Antonio Casias passed for 328 yards and a TD, completing 23 of 34. Stubblefield, who owns Cactus receiving records, caught 11 passes for 216 yards.
But the Cobras are running into one of the fastest, more physical defenses in the state, at any level.
In the opener, Desert Edge was shut out by Open state finalist Peoria Liberty 22-0. But those were the fewest points Liberty has scored in a game this year. The defensive speed and tempo are set by senior cornerback Jamar Beal-Goines, who signed Wednesday with Texas A&M. Goines has returned an interception 60 yards and he’s blocked three field-goal tries this year.
The Scorpions have 14 interceptions and 45 sacks with Jerry Washington recording 11.5 sacks in eight games. They derailed a potent Verrado offense in the semifinals, which has caught the Cobras’ attention. Cactus knows it can’t just throw the ball to beat Desert Edge.
“They’re just really good defensively,” Cactus coach Brian Belles said. “We looked at the tape. When the brackets came out, we thought, ‘This could be the end.’ And it is. We’re fortunate to be here and we’re going to give it our best.”
Desert Edge wide receiver David Cabrera, who has 39 catches for 624 yards and five TDs, has been part of a revitalized offense, along with sophomore Zerek Sidney, who had three TD catches in the semifinal win, giving him 11 touchdown receptions on the season.
After first-year head coach Henri MacArthur handed the play-calling duties to assistant Nick Ludovico in the playoffs, the offense has really taken off, running more RPO. Sophomore quarterback Blake Roskopf, who became eligible at midseason after transferring from Liberty, has progressed well with his big arm and ability to run.
“Blake is a tremendous player,” Cabrera said. “He’s got great arm power. He puts it anywhere he wants. He liked to throw as far as he can and I like to run under it. He’s a great quarterback to play with.”
This could be a shootout but don’t expect too many fireworks with both defenses ready to make a statement.
Prediction: Desert Edge 28, Cactus 21
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 : 2024-12-04 09:55:00
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