(Tucson,AZ)
Bill McCulloch
This game matched the #4 and #2 teams in the 4A State. Each team came in on a roll.
The fourth ranked Lancers came in with a 12-1 record with their only blemish to a strong 5A Cienega Bobcat team.
The Sabercats of Scottsdale Saguaro with a number two ranking entered the game at 11-2.
Both teams in the first quarter needing to feel what the other team offered went back and forth without success and a scoreless tie to end the period.
At the eleven minute mark of the second quarter, Saguaro quarterback Matt Massingale completed a 35 yard pass to Zach Wilson to draw first blood. This was a result of a blow coverage by the strong safety of Salpointe. 7-0 Sabercats.
Salpointe wanted to continue to pound the ball on ground with Bijan Robinson doing most of the work, with forty four first half yard. Their drives would ultimately end from untimely or unforced penalties.
At the 5:28 mark and the Lancers sustaining an eight play drive, quarterback Nieto Rodriguez throws a ball that is tipped and intercepted at the forty five killing the chance to tie it up.
Saguaro wasted little time as Wilson’s pass to Matt Polk for twenty two yards placed the ball at the Lancer fifteen yard line. Four plays later, Massingale snuck it over from the one and the score. Up two touchdowns, the Sabercats headed to the locker room very confident.
In the third quarter, both teams halftime adjustments were spot on until the turnover bug hit the Lancers once again. Running back Mario Padilla halfback pass was intercepted at the fifteen yard of Saguaro by defensive back Antonio Cuevas and Salpointe’s offense was stymied yet again.
Saguaro wasn’t dominating the Lancers and were giving them opportunities to keep the game close, but the one dimensional Lancers couldn’t take advantage.
Again trying to catch lightning in a bottle, a thirty eight yard completion. A ten yard pass followed and then an eighteen yard pick up, mix in a rush until an eleven yards pass found Logan Pettijohn in the end zone for a 21-0 lead.
The ensuing kickoff saw Padilla take it at the one yard line and bolted through the Sabercat’s special team to the house ninety nine yards and Salpointe was finally on the scoreboard 21-7.
Into the fourth quarter the score remained the same as the Lancers still remained one demential and relied on Robinson’s legs to carry the entire load.
Just under the six minute mark, quarterback Massingale and running back La’Ray Lucas used the clock and were content to run out the game clock. With a third and five facing them, Saguaro didn’t want to give up the possession and popped off a forty nine yard pass to wide out Wilson and they were back in the red zone at the Lancer eleven.
Not needing to score, Saguaro kept it conservative but gained yardage on each play until Massingale took it into the end zone for the final time.
Final Score: Scottsdale Saguaro 28 Tucson Salpointe Catholic 7.
This was Saguaro’s fifth consecutive State Title.
