Coronado standout sidelined

October 28th, 2008, 4:46 pm · Post a Comment · posted by mattpaulson

One of the best matchups in the Valley this week has lost some of its luster.
When No. 3 Scottsdale Coronado travels to No. 5 Gilbert Higley on Friday, the Dons will be without Kaylin Ashley, one of the state’s top running backs.
Ashley, who leads all of 4A-II with 1,322 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, is out with a sprained MCL. He suffered the injury near the end of the first half of last week’s win over Chandler Seton Catholic, but not before rushing for 268 yards and two scores.
Coronado coach B.J. Pasquel said Ashley might miss next week’s regular season finale against archrival Phoenix Arcadia as well, but he should return for the first round of the playoffs.
“Knowing him, he’ll probably be back as good as new,” Pasquel said.
Ashley isn’t the Dons’ only good running back – David Alfaro and Josh Castillo are each averaging at least 6.9 yards a carry – but replacing his speed and athleticism will be impossible.
“We have some depth at running back, but he’s a game changer,” Pasquel said. “Everytime he touches the ball, there’s a chance he could score. But we have other kids who can run. They’re obviously not as explosive as him.”
Ashley’s injury has spoiled the possibility of a stellar individual matchup as well. His counterpart at Higley, Chris Campbell, is second in 4A-II with 1,070 rushing yards.

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