In 4A-I, Apache Junction drops out of the top 5 after a loss to Cottonwood Mingus. Cave Creek Cactus Shadows continues its early-season run with a win over Paradise Valley, moving the Falcons up to No. 3 in the latest poll. Saguaro did enough to beat Cactus on Friday, setting up a much-anticipated 1-vs-2 matchup with Canyon del Oro in Tucson. Can the Sabercats stop Ka’Deem Carey? We’re going to find out.
In 4A-II, Paradise Valley has gone from No. 1 to out of the rankings in two weeks. Cactus Shadows knocked them out with an overtime victory this week. Start-up programs Liberty and Williams Field are knocking on the door of the top-5, though both teams will need another win against a solid team to make the move.
4A-I
1. Canyon del Oro (5-0): A disciplinary issue kept Carey on the sidelines for a half against Nogales, but he wasn’t needed. I wonder if Carey did the same thing this week,would he have been benched against Saguaro?
2. Saguaro (4-0): The Sabercats showed some vulnerability against the run, but still won by 17 points against a good Cactus team. Let’s see what John Sanders has up his sleeve for the matchup with the Dorados.
3. Cactus Shadows (4-0): Those sneaky Falcons did it again with a double-overtime win over Paradise Valley. Cactus Shadows has to be the most resilient team in the state and is turning into a legitimate threat in 4A-I.
4. Cienega (4-1): The early loss to Cactus Shadows quieted talk about the Bobcats, but they have played well since. Willie Willis is becoming a big-time running back and Trent Simon is so dangerous at wide receiver.
5. Sabino (4-1): The Sabercats had an easy win over Marana, and really won’t get challenged until the season-ending game against Canyon del Oro.
4A-II
1. Notre Dame (4-0): The Saints got a break by playing Seton without its standout quarterback, Justin Sieczkowski, but it’s doubtful Notre Dame would have had much trouble, anyway.
2. Santa Rita (3-1): The Eagles stomped Rio Rico 69-0. There aren’t any statistics from the game available on Maxpreps, but I’m going to go ahead and assume they were a tad lopsided.
3. Mingus (4-0): I contemplated putting the Marauders into the rankings last week, but an eight-point win over Prescott Valley Bradshaw Mountain didn’t inspire enough confidence. A two-touchdown victory over Apache Junction on Friday, though, jumped them up to No. 3.
4. Buckeye (3-1): The Hawks rolled Coconino, and very well could finish the season with only one loss.
5. Greenway (3-1): Games against Apache Junction and Paradise Valley the next two weeks will show if the Demons are for real.
just wondering why you keep mentioning the same schools - nothing is ever mentioned about the newer schools, why is that
Which schools, Sue? This post just focuses on the movement in the 4A rankings.
Very nice recap. Thanks