Emptying the vault from a wild Corona del Sol/Desert Vista tilt, and a wild Friday in general…
–I still had a gnawing feeling about the validity of this Corona team, and while Desert Vista should have won that game, “should” is probably why they didn’t.
Corona didn’t turn the ball over, committed fewer mistakes, and were less predictable on offense late in the game. The Thunder were in complete control midway through the third quarter, having put together the kind of drives and big plays state title contenders do when it’s time to seize control after halftime.
But mental mistakes and missed receivers who were wide open took its toll, and Dan Hinds joked afterward he might need protection getting himself from the field to the locker room.
It’s commonplace around Desert Vista, as it will be this week around Tom Joseph and Mesa Mountain View for their decision-making. Tell them something new.
As it stands, Corona is now a Thursday night win against Basha away from winning the Cetnral Region, a perplexing thought to everyone but the Aztecs.
Desert Vista ends its season against Mountain Pointe, a game they should win given the Pride’s injuries and what’s still at stake for the Thunder. a team reeling mentally from Friday night’s letdown. Forget getting a home game, they’re now clawing to get in.
–Congrats to Coolidge on winning another 3A South region title.
For better or worse, state championships are the standard there. But this was a team practically starting over from its state title teams the past two seasons, started 0-2, went a week without power in the city and had practically no equipment when practice began, or administrative direction until the beginning of September.
They may meet their ultimate match in Blue Ridge or Wickenburg later in the playoffs, but this journey to date should feel worthwhile.
–Shawn Cluff ended his coaching tenure at Florence Friday, and not the way he envisioned. He’d talked about the possibility of prioritizing his family and finding a better income at the beginning of the season. Once his mind was made up, however, he wanted to wait until after the season ended to tell his team, rather than distract his kids in October.
But the news was leaked, and the rumor mill around town forced him to discuss it with his players before Friday’s game against Fountain Hills. Clearly agitated by having to do so, he kept those emotions to himself.
It’s been a rough two season for the football team, but two years ago they were 8-2, and they won three games this year, with two other games early in the season which were theirs for the taking. He was honest, candid, accommodating and funny.
He’ll sit on a committee who’ll help hire the next football coach. He’s earned that privilege.
–Playoff time is here (or will be here). Tuesday’s Power Points will reveal much, and for a boatload of 5A teams, tell them exactly where they stand heading into the regular season finale.
We’ll keep you in the loop as best we can. And check out Friday’s Varsity Xtra section in the Tribune, where we’ll take a look back at some of the “bests” from this wild and wooly fall.
