This week, I'm checking out two teams that both have new head coaches, both have just been moved down from 6A to 5A due to struggles, and both won exciting games in Week 1.
I'll be in East Mesa at Skyline as the Coyotes host Tucson.
Tucson made a late hire bringing in Malcolm Nelson in July. He has 18 years of experience and was an assistant with the IFL Tucson Sugar Skulls in 2019. The Badgers played just 2 games in the COVID 2020 season and went 1-9 last year. TMHS matched that win total with a 29-21 victory over Dobson last week. The game was tied with less than 3 minutes to go before the Badgers prevailed. Tucson played two QBs, a senior and a freshman. They combined for 215 yards with Devin Neumann (Sr.) going 8-of-11 for 150 yards. The two QBs also totaled 85 rushing yards. Defensively, the Badgers held Dobson to 61 passing yards (8-of-18).
Skyline hired Adam Schiermyer back in January. He was previously the OC at Eastmark where he helped get the Firebirds into the playoffs in just their second season of varsity play. Prior to that, Schiermyer was a part of Preston Jones' staff at Perry. Over the last three seasons, Skyline's record was just 5-23. Like Tucson, the Coyotes were 1-9 in 2021 and matched that win total with a 21-17 victory at North Canyon last week. The Rattlers were driving at the end, but were tackled just one yard short of the end zone on their final reception as time expired. The Coyotes got it done on the ground with junior Jordan Blake tallying 251 yards on 20 carries and a pair of touchdowns. The SHS defense held North Canyon to 88 rushing yards.
It's a pair of teams that don't get much attention, but someone will be 2-0 and I think will have a chance at a 6-4 season. Should be a close one in the East Valley.
I'll be in East Mesa at Skyline as the Coyotes host Tucson.
Tucson made a late hire bringing in Malcolm Nelson in July. He has 18 years of experience and was an assistant with the IFL Tucson Sugar Skulls in 2019. The Badgers played just 2 games in the COVID 2020 season and went 1-9 last year. TMHS matched that win total with a 29-21 victory over Dobson last week. The game was tied with less than 3 minutes to go before the Badgers prevailed. Tucson played two QBs, a senior and a freshman. They combined for 215 yards with Devin Neumann (Sr.) going 8-of-11 for 150 yards. The two QBs also totaled 85 rushing yards. Defensively, the Badgers held Dobson to 61 passing yards (8-of-18).
Skyline hired Adam Schiermyer back in January. He was previously the OC at Eastmark where he helped get the Firebirds into the playoffs in just their second season of varsity play. Prior to that, Schiermyer was a part of Preston Jones' staff at Perry. Over the last three seasons, Skyline's record was just 5-23. Like Tucson, the Coyotes were 1-9 in 2021 and matched that win total with a 21-17 victory at North Canyon last week. The Rattlers were driving at the end, but were tackled just one yard short of the end zone on their final reception as time expired. The Coyotes got it done on the ground with junior Jordan Blake tallying 251 yards on 20 carries and a pair of touchdowns. The SHS defense held North Canyon to 88 rushing yards.
It's a pair of teams that don't get much attention, but someone will be 2-0 and I think will have a chance at a 6-4 season. Should be a close one in the East Valley.
