VarsityXtra

Tempe Marcos de Niza ushered in a familiar face (and a blast from the past) this week when the Padres hired Greg Vanney as their boys soccer coach.

Vanney, 35, was an all-state player who led the Padres to state championships in 1990 (a tie with Phoenix Brophy), 1991 and 1992.

He went on to play at UCLA and was drafted in 1996 by the L.A. Galaxy of the Major League Soccer.

He played professionally in L.A., as well as Europe and was part of the U.S. National team from 1997-2005 in which he participated in two World Cups.

Vanney also founded the Arizona Futbol Club (AZFC), a youth soccer club program in the Valley.

Another wild night in Toro town, where defense need not apply (and, for the most part, didn’t).

–This isn’t the Mountain View team of 2006 which went to the 5A Division I state championship game, but the Toros are pretty good.

Six weeks ago, the world was coming to an end when they got hammered by Scottsdale Chaparral and lost a closer one at Tucson Sunnyside, but they reeled off five consecutive wins between then and Friday night.

Even Friday, the Toros had a couple chances to forge ahead and win the game, but they can (and, I think, will) win the Central Region against Chandler Basha next week.

That’s pretty darn good for a team which was completely reconstructed after last year’s trip to the state semifinals.

Toros coach Tom Joseph laughed about the size/speed differential between them and Chandler before the game, and he was right, but the final score pretty much dictated otherwise. So, too, did the penalties, which cost Chandler dearly (again).

–Brett Hundley understandably got the headlines for his play, but the Toros were every bit as effective (if slightly less flashy) offensively against Chandler’s short-handed defense.

Brad Heap was nearly flawless (15 of 20 for 180 yards and two TDs with one INT) and put on a couple moves when he had to scramble. Jacom Brimhall’s fumble on the second-half kickoff proved pivotal, but he busted through the middle on his next touch and was his usual self (139 yards, TD, 2-point conversion reception).

Chase Richardson has Brimhall-esque elusiveness running or receiving, and Jordan Hinton (7 rec., 86 yards) is pretty good.

–Imagine how this game might have gone (or still be going) had Mountain View not had those two turnovers. The Wolves committed zero turnovers and had only two second-half penalties.

–Lastly, we touched on the onside kick rules here a couple weeks ago, and, sure enough, the Toros were offsides twice in the final minute while attempting an onside kick. Both times the ball went right to Chandler but the play was blown dead and Mountain View got to re-kick. The third time, Matt Gulbrandsen put down a perfect attempt and after a vicious collision and scramble, Andrew Muscara recovered it for the Wolves.

Why the Toros were basically allowed three chances at an onside kick for committing two penalties, is beyond me.

In a senior season supposedly set for sweetness, Kyle Yount’s 2009 had instead turned sour and bitter.

Coming off a 2,000-yard passing season in 2008, Yount was again annoited Chandler’s starting quarterback to start this season, but Brett Hundley’s athleticism and ability flickered late in 2008 and the Wolves knew his capabilities.

The change came during the Centennial blowout in Week 2, and Yount was obviously livid. He was moved to wide receiver (with an occasional snap at QB) and was invisible for a couple weeks.

Three weeks ago he made a presence against Mesa Red Mountain with a couple receptions as the Wolves rolled, and sent a text message to Chandler coach Jim Ewan’s wife saying it was the first time this season he’d left the locker room feeling good about himself.

“He’s such an upbeat kid, and, make no mistake, (the switch) hurt him and it ate at him,” Jim Ewan said. “But he’s done himself good by being such a team-first kid.”

Same thing happened against Phoenix Desert Vista last week, but Yount’s best game - regardless of position - came Friday night against Mesa Mountain View.

From his wide receiver position, he threw a perfect 34-yard touchdown pass to Michael Okonkwo on a trick play in the second quarter. He also caught four passes for 33 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown catch from Hundley midway through the fourth quarter to give Chandler a 45-35 lead it would need.

Yount took a clean, punishing hit from the Toros secondary in the end zone but hung onto the ball, cleared the cobwebs and promptly kicked the extra point as an emergency fill-in for the injured Logan Spears. He doesn’t have great speed or separation, but is a big target (6-foot-2) and can benefit underneath from the Wolves other vertical threats.

Yount and the Wolves have also benefited from some perspective. Chandler has a great chance to win out this regular season and host a playoff game not only because of Hundley’s remarkable talent, but because his predecessor ultimately chose winning over sulking and sympathy cards.

“Kyle’s my guy,” Hundley said. “I give him all my respect. He’s earned the ball and played his butt off.”

Here are the Super Regional breakdowns/schedules for 5A Division I and Division II girls golf which tee off Monday and Tuesday mornings for the right to play in the State Tournament on Nov. 9 and 10.

Unlike the boys, the qualifiers for the girls state tournament (team and individuals) fluctuate in numbers depending on the number of teams in each Super Regional, though individual qualifiers who are not part of a qualifying team must shoot a two-day total of 200 or below.

5A Division I

Super Regional #1  (at Ahwatukee Country Club)

Monday at 8 a.m.;  Tuesday at 8 a.m.  (shotgun start)

Top 5 teams, Top 4 individuals advance

Basha, Buena, Desert Ridge, Mesquite, Mountain Ridge, Mountain View (Mesa), North Canyon, Skyline, St. Mary’s, Trevor Browne, Xavier.

Super Regional #2  (at Ken McDonald Golf Course)

Monday at 9 a.m.; Tuesday at 9 a.m. (shotgun start)

Top 4 teams, Top 4 individuals advance

Cesar Chavez, Chandler, Hamilton, Kofa, Mesa, Mountain Pointe, Red Mountain, Salpointe, Westwood.

Super Regional #3  (at Lone Tree Golf Course)

Tuesday at 8 a.m.; Wednesday at 7:30 a.m.  (shotgun start)

Top 4 Teams, Top 4 individuals advance

Alhambra, Casa Grande, Corona del Sol, Desert Vista, Dobson, Gilbert, Highland, North, Tucson.

5A Division II

Super Regional #1  (at Dobson Ranch Golf Course)

Monday at 10 a.m.; Tuesday at 8 a.m.  (shotgun start)

Top 5 teams, Top 5 individuals advance

Central, Chaparral, Desert Mountain, Goldwater, Lake Havasu, Marcos de Niza, Millennium, Perry, Sunnyside, Tolleson.

Super Regional #2  (at Silverbell Golf Course)

Monday at 7:30 a.m.; Tuesday at 7:30 a.m.  (shotgun start)

Top 4 teams, Top 4 individuals advance

Cibola, Deer Valley, Gila Ridge, Ironwood, Ironwood Ridge, LaJoya, Mountain View (Marana), Westview, Willow Canyon.

Super Regional #3  (at Encanto Golf Course)

Monday at 7:30 a.m.;  Tuesday at 7:30 a.m.  (shotgun start)

Top 5 teams, Top 2 individuals advance

Boulder Creek, Centennial, Fairfax, Horizon, Kingman, Pinnacle, Rincon, Sandra Day O’Connor, Valley Vista, Yuma.

Here are the Super Regional breakdowns/schedules for 5A Division I and Division II boys golf which tee off Monday and Tuesday mornings for the right to play in the State Tournament on Nov. 9 and 10.

The top 7 team scores in each Super Regional will advance to the State Tournament. The top 5 individuals who not a on state-qualifying team also advance (individual qualifiers must shoot a two-day total of 168 or below).

5A Division I

Super Regional #1  (at Maryvale Golf Course)

Monday at 7:30 a.m.;  Tuesday at 11:30 a.m.  (shotgun start)

Casa Grande, Desert Ridge, Dobson, Hamilton, Highland, Maryvale, Mesa, Mesquite, Mountain Ridge, North, North Canyon, Red Mountain, Skyline, Tucson, Westwood.

Super Regional #2 (at Maryvale Golf Course)

Monday at 11:30 a.m.;  Tuesday at 7:30 a.m.  (shotgun start)

Alhambra, Basha, Brophy, Buena, Cesar Chavez, Chandler, Corona del Sol, Desert Vista, Gilbert, Kofa, Mountain Pointe, Mountain View (Mesa), St. Mary’s, Salpointe Catholic, Trevor Browne.

5A Division II

Super Regional #1  (at Aguila Golf Course)

Monday at 7:30 a.m.; Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. (shotgun start)

Boulder Creek, Camelback, Central, Cibola, Desert Mountain, Ironwood, Ironwood Ridge, LaJoya, Lake Havasu, Marcos de Niza, Mountain View (Marana), Perry, Sandra Day O’Connor, Tolleson, Willow Canyon, Yuma.

Super Regional #2  (at Aguila Golf Course)

Monday at 11:30 a.m.;  Tuesday at 7:30 a.m.  (shotgun start)

Goldwater, Carl Hayden, Centennial, Chaparral, Deer Valley, Fairfax, Gila Ridge, Horizon, Kingman, Millennium, Pinnacle, Rincon, South Mountain, Sunnyside, Valley Vista, Westview.

A quick look around the Desert Valley Region, which has a couple interesting matchups on Friday in Phoenix schools Pinnacle vs. St. Mary’s and Scottsdale schools Desert Mountain vs. Horizon (plus what should be a snoozer of a Thursday night TV game in Chaparral vs. North Canyon).

–Desert Mountain shook things up again this week in the wake of scoring three offensive points in a 27-17 loss to Pinnacle last week.

It’s not often a team returns both an interception and blocked punt for touchdowns, only to lose, but it happened to the Wolves last week, and Tony Tabor shook up his play-calling and offensive coaching staff as a result.

He called this week’s practices the best of the year, but there’s more bad news for the Wolves.

Leading receiver Dekota D’angelo is out for at least the rest of the regular season (and possibly the postseason) with a partially torn ligament in his knee.

Easily the team’s leading receiver (31 catches for 345 yards) and its long-snapper, there’s a small chance he could rehab enough to get through the playoffs, but while hopeful, the Wolves aren’t holding their breath.

–St. Mary’s gets QB Bryan Holland back after he barely played last week with a shoulder injury. Originally fearful it was a tear or separation, Holland instead has done rehab after he took a hard hit two weeks ago against Horizon, and the Knights think he can at least make serviceable throws.

Last week he played but only handed the ball off while St. Mary’s used R.J. McGill and Laron Tarkington to run a “Wildcat” type of offense. It worked to the tune of 363 yards rushing against Chaparral, but lost 32-14.

Tempe Marcos de Niza diver Sam Dorman made a verbal commitment to the University of Miami (Fla.) earlier this week.

Dorman is a two-time defending diving champion in 5A Division II (he finished second in state as a freshman). He visited the Coral Gables campus twice.

Dorman will attempt to three-peat at the 5A-II state championships on Nov. 7 at Kino Aquatic Center in Mesa.

Scottsdale Horizon quarterback Ryan Stanford was named this week’s Arizona Cardinals high school player of the week.

The two-year starter completed 17 of 32 passes for 346 yards and four touchdowns in the Huskies’ 43-20 win over North Canyon last Friday night.

Horizon’s offense also got 186 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 23 carries from running back Matt Jones in the victory.

A plaque will be presented to Stanford by a Cardinals alumnus at a ceremony at Horizon on Friday at 11:30 a.m. during a lunch time.

Horizon (5-3, 1-2 Desert Valley) hosts Scottsdale Desert Mountain (5-3, 1-2) on Friday.

Call it the Saturday hangover. Given what transpired at Phoenix College on Friday night, consider yourself forgiven for having cobwebs.

–It’s not only clear Brophy and Chandler can play with Hamilton, but it’s also clear there are four teams in 5A-I who’ve separated themselves from the pack: The aforementioned three plus Phoenix Mountain Pointe.

Brophy coach Scooter Molander talked at length during the week about competing, staying relaxed when things are good or bad for the full 48 minutes, and, regardless of the final score, taking away a knowledge or belief they’re capable of beating the Huskies come playoff time should their paths cross again.

Done and done on all three accounts.  It’s much easier for the Broncos to say those things because outside a huge collapse against upcoming Phoenix Desert Vista and Yuma, the Broncos will have at least one home game to open the playoffs. Anything beyond that is too far away and unpredictable in power points and not worth the speculation.

–Brophy’s tackling in the first half was awful, especially considering the Broncos are viewed as one of the better tackling teams in 5A.  Some of that was trying to bring down Hamilton’s Zach Bauman, who’s low to the ground and so powerful below the waist because his legs never stop.  Part of that was the Huskies running attack via option, Wing-T and QB keepers had Brophy scrambling and guessing all the first half.  Part of that was Brophy’s defense being on the field for about 80 percent of the first half.  Part of that was just bad tackling.

–Mistakes by both teams (Brophy in first half, Hamilton in second half) pretty much negated each other out. Brophy threw three interceptions and muffed a punt fair catch.  The Huskies fumbled a snap and committed seven penalties in the second half, two of those penalties took away long gains on offense while a third moved Brophy near the goal line where it scored the team’s first touchdown.

Some Huskies were pretty incredulous about the officiating, so the AIA might be getting another tape, not that it’s going to change any outcomes.  It didn’t in the Brophy-Centennial game.

–Besides Bauman’s eight-yard run on 3rd-and-1 which ran the clock out, the Huskies other huge play was a 27-yard end around near midfield by backup QB Kyren Poe on 2nd-and-8 with 2 1/2 minutes left in regulation.

Hamilton had run successfully all night behind right tackle Christian Westerman (as it usually does). When the Huskies would run outside, they saw Brophy defenders trying to slice through the gaps on the backside trying to chase the play out wide.

So needing a first down and to kill more clock, the Huskies went to a bread-and-butter running plays on the right side and again got Brophy flying toward the ball, only Poe came back against the grain, took the flip and ran down the left side.

Gutsy call given the situation.

“It’s the kind of play where if it works you look great, and if it doesn’t you’re up all night going, ‘Why the hell did we run that play?’” Hamilton coach Steve Belles said.

–Brophy’s Max Leonesio gained 35 yards rushing from two  Statue of Liberty plays. He gained 40 yards from the other 15 carries.

–Hamilton is now 4-2 against Brophy going back to the 2005 state championship classic, but both of Brophy’s wins against the Huskies came in the playoffs.

Just when Taylor Walstad was getting healthy and ready to see more action in the Chandler backfield, another key cog is out.

Receiver/defensive back Jeremy Morris suffered a sprained knee last week and will miss the next two weeks.

Morris has 17 receptions for 219 yards and five TDs for the Wolves as one of their vertical offensive threats in the passing game. He also has 23 tackles and two interceptions at cornerback.

Morris will have to wear a brace and will be out this week against Phoenix Desert Vista and likely next week in what’s shaping up to be a more interesting out-of-region matchup against Mesa Mountain View.

Fellow two-way teammate Malcolm Holland will be a game-time decision because of a hobbled hip, but Chandler coach Jim Ewan said he was a better than 50-50 chance of playing.