5A-II Pima teams finally begin region play on Friday, and a region that was hard to predict in the preseason hasn’t cleared up much after five weeks of action.
Two teams with gaudy records - Marcos de Niza at 5-0 and Skyline at 4-1 - but little competition get a true test in the region opener. The Padres travel to Pinnacle in what is expected to be a low-scoring affair. The Coyotes head to Desert Ridge in a game that will almost certainly be a shootout. Let’s see if there is any early separation between four schools that all believe in their chance to win region.
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In the latest power point rankings, the 4A-I Desert Sky has Scottsdale Chaparral, Scottsdale Saguaro and Paradise Valley ranked 1-2-3 in the state. If the tournament started today, all seven teams in the region would make it. Phoenix Shadow Mountain is on the most treacherous ground, ranked 15th.
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I have a feeling that a game between one of those three Desert Sky region powers will eventually come down to a game-winning field goal attempt. If so, Chaparral and Paradise Valley have to be feeling good. Trojans kicker Danny Compton made four field goals against Saguaro (though P.V. lost) and has range up to 45 yards. Chaparral kicker Ben Damari can also consistently boot field goals from 40-plus.
So much is analyzed in football, but having a solid kicker can play crucial role in the outcome of games.
