After having gone to games in Goodyear, Queen Creek, and Mesa the past three weeks, I'm staying closer to home this week. I'll be up at Goldwater for the Bulldogs' matchup against Apollo.
I saw Apollo early last season (Week 3 against Campo Verde) and the Hawks weren't quite ready yet for postseason. Apollo dropped that one (42-27) and ultimately finished at #18 despite a 6-4 record. This year the region is a little weaker with Canyon View now in the Desert West, so with the Hawks at 4-1 and the only freedom game left against Shadow Ridge (1-4), there isn't room for error. The opponents for Apollo are a combined 18-32 this season. There is a quality win over Thunderbird (4A) on the schedule, but the Sunnyslope loss (38-33) still stings as the Vikings are 1-4. It will be interesting to see where the computer ranks Apollo next week. Of course, it's a chance to see Adam Mohammed (853 rushing yards, 15 total TDs). The odds are good that he gets 147 yards and goes over the 1,000-yard mark for the 3rd straight year.
Goldwater is a surprising 3-2 this year. Granted, the Bulldogs haven't beaten any heavyweights (combined record of those 3 teams they've beaten is 3-12). Last year, Goldwater went into this game at 4-1 and lost to Apollo, 49-20. HC Frank Lautt runs the Double-wing T offense and the Bulldogs defeated Flowing Wells last week 54-28. BGHS had 44 carries for 452 yards (10.3 ypc). Dylan Hayhurst and Marvin Larry each went for over 100 yards. The Bulldogs' last playoff appearance came way back in 2007 and they probably need to win out to end that drought. In last year's game against Apollo, Goldwater rushed for 239 yards, but 214 of those yards came from a back that is debuting with Desert Edge this week. Still, it's an offense the Hawks had trouble stopping last year, so it will be interesting to see if they pick anything up from last year's film on the retro-offense.
I've yet to see a game come down to the final minute this season, but I also haven't had any running clocks. Games I've been at have been decided by 13, 14, 14, 19, and 24 points. Usually still in doubt at halftime, but the winner pulls away either late third quarter or early fourth. On the surface, Apollo is probably a 26.5 point favorite, but we'll see if Goldwater can pull a surprise or hang in there long enough to provide a scare.
I saw Apollo early last season (Week 3 against Campo Verde) and the Hawks weren't quite ready yet for postseason. Apollo dropped that one (42-27) and ultimately finished at #18 despite a 6-4 record. This year the region is a little weaker with Canyon View now in the Desert West, so with the Hawks at 4-1 and the only freedom game left against Shadow Ridge (1-4), there isn't room for error. The opponents for Apollo are a combined 18-32 this season. There is a quality win over Thunderbird (4A) on the schedule, but the Sunnyslope loss (38-33) still stings as the Vikings are 1-4. It will be interesting to see where the computer ranks Apollo next week. Of course, it's a chance to see Adam Mohammed (853 rushing yards, 15 total TDs). The odds are good that he gets 147 yards and goes over the 1,000-yard mark for the 3rd straight year.
Goldwater is a surprising 3-2 this year. Granted, the Bulldogs haven't beaten any heavyweights (combined record of those 3 teams they've beaten is 3-12). Last year, Goldwater went into this game at 4-1 and lost to Apollo, 49-20. HC Frank Lautt runs the Double-wing T offense and the Bulldogs defeated Flowing Wells last week 54-28. BGHS had 44 carries for 452 yards (10.3 ypc). Dylan Hayhurst and Marvin Larry each went for over 100 yards. The Bulldogs' last playoff appearance came way back in 2007 and they probably need to win out to end that drought. In last year's game against Apollo, Goldwater rushed for 239 yards, but 214 of those yards came from a back that is debuting with Desert Edge this week. Still, it's an offense the Hawks had trouble stopping last year, so it will be interesting to see if they pick anything up from last year's film on the retro-offense.
I've yet to see a game come down to the final minute this season, but I also haven't had any running clocks. Games I've been at have been decided by 13, 14, 14, 19, and 24 points. Usually still in doubt at halftime, but the winner pulls away either late third quarter or early fourth. On the surface, Apollo is probably a 26.5 point favorite, but we'll see if Goldwater can pull a surprise or hang in there long enough to provide a scare.
