Dana Zupke called the Phoenix Pinnacle locker room “a morgue” at halftime last Friday when the Pioneers learned its leading defensive player, linebacker Andrew Hurley, suffered a broken fibula and will likely miss the rest of the season.
Hurley was injured in the second quarter in the first round playoff game when he was engaged by a Glendale Ironwood lineman, then had his legs taken out by another Ironwood player.
Zupke said it was an obvious chop block and called it “a cheap-shot play,” but no penalty was called.
Hurley had 73 total tackles, a sack, an interception and fumble recovery this season, and though his stats were down this season because he moved from defensive end (where he had 20 1/2 sacks as a junior) back to outside linebacker, he’s the team’s captain and emotional leader.
Pinnacle hosts Desert Valley Region foe Scottsdale Desert Mountain on Friday for a second time this season.
