11/7/2009 12:54:00 AM Prep Football: State playoff game previews
The Daily Courier
The Chino Valley football team's defense can be credited in large part for the Cougars' rebound from a 1-4 start this season to today's Class 3A state tourney first-round home game.
No team scored more than 22 points on CVHS this season, including perennial 3A powers Payson and Wickenburg.
In fact, the eighth-seeded Cougars (5-4) have pitched a pair of shutouts this season, and held opponents to single digits twice.
CVHS coach Bob David knows his defense will have its biggest test to date this season today when No. 9 seed Snowflake (8-2) comes to town.
"They're fast. They've got lots of team speed (so) we're going to have to be disciplined on defense," he said. They like to throw the ball deep. We haven't had anybody throw the ball on us the way they will.
"They're probably the most explosive team I've coached against since I started here at Chino Valley."
Kickoff is 7 p.m.
Snowflake quarterback Shawn Walker has proven himself to be on of the top passers in the state this season, throwing for 1,561 yards with 18 touchdowns to five interceptions according to maxpreps.com.
His favorite targets have been wide receivers Robby Martindell and Brad Hutson.
Martindell has hauled in 28 catches for 800 yards with 13 TDs.
Hutson has 462 yards on 23 catches with four scores.
Walker will also try to hurt you with his legs as he leads the team in rushing with 672 yards on 120 carries and seven touchdowns.
"Their quarterback is probably one of the best runners in the state," David said.
Lobo running back Ammon McKinlay is close behind has racked up 648 yards on 101 carries with six TDs.
"We've got to defend the whole field," David said.
The Cougar offense will look to give its defense as much rest as possible.
To do so, quarterback Josh Custodio, who has thrown for 536 yards this season with six touchdowns and four interceptions, will have to keep his cool under pressure.
If the young, yet battle-tested offensive line can control the line of scrimmage, Custodio and running back Ryan Middleton (895 yards, seven TDs) should be able to string together long drives.
"We're gonna play (Snowflake) hard and we're gonna play them tough and hopefully that will be enough," David said.
Class 1A
Semifinal at Apache Junction High School
(W2) Orme School vs. (N1) Joseph City, 4 p.m.,
(W1) Bagdad vs. (N2) Heber Mogollon, 7 p.m.
Orme has reeled off seven straight wins since its early-season loss to Bagdad.
The Warriors (9-1) no doubt hope to extend that streak to nine. They'll have get past arguably the best 1A team in the state today to do so.
Joseph City (9-0) is led by quarterback Tracy Poudier, who has thrown for 12 TDs, and running back Zach Baldwin (557 yards. 11 touchdowns).
Bagdad (7-2) winners of three straight, will get a shot at revenge at the team which gave it it's last loss.
Mogollon (9-1) topped the Sultans 68-42 in Week 6 thanks in part to the fact Bagdad's defense was caught stacking for the run, as well as the fact it was missing two key players due to injury.
Bagdad coach Danny Corbin said both of those factors have been taken care of this time around.
"We've tuned up out pass defense. We're a lot more balanced," he said.
The Sultans should be very motivated as six of Mogollon quarterback JT Maner's 22 touchdowns this season came against them.
On the ground, Mogollon will rely on Boone Baker (878 yards, 15 TDs).
Bagdad has quite a weapon under center of its own in Zach Loveall.
He's thrown for 1,927 yards with 28 touchdowns, and rushed for 670 yards with 11 scores.
"If the school kept records, I'm sure that would be one," Corbin said, referring to Loveall's 28 passing scores.
He shredded the Mogollon defense for 360 yards on 25 of 47 passing and three touchdowns in the teams' last meeting.
Reader Comments
Posted: Saturday, November 07, 2009
Article comment by:
Bagdad Born and Raised
Go Sultans!
Posted: Saturday, November 07, 2009
Article comment by:
Tom Neely
