Less than 24 hours after a wild opening night, the first week of the football season ended with what arguably could be one of the best games of the year.
In a matchup that featured the reigning state champion from two different divisions, a beautiful mountain setting, and the return of the Sollenberger Classic, Centennial and Desert Edge lived up to all of it on the field.
The Scorpions, led by quarterback Tehran Thomas, pulled out a 26-24 thriller Saturday over Centennial at Coconino High.
The Coyote (0-1) opened the game with their typically bruising running game, taking a 3-0 lead. For the most part it was back-and-forth from there, but five turnovers would be their undoing.
Desert Edge’s Roshaun Johnson rumbled for a 13-yard fumble return in the third quarter to give the Scorpions a 20-17 lead that they would not relinquish. After the Coyote’s fifth turnover, Dante Blissit scored from two yards out to push the lead to nine. The Scorpions missed the conversion attempt with 3:55 to go, and Centennial answered with a touchdown pass by Ruben Beltran less than two minutes later, but failed to recover the ensuing onside kick.
Thomas, known as much for his athleticism as his ability to throw the ball, amassed 150 yards rushing by the middle of the third quarter, including touchdown runs of 62 and 34 yards.
Desert Edge’s victory came in the night cap of the Sollenberger Classic, which returned after a one-year hiatus. Brophy Prep outlasted Pinnacle, 31-10, in the matinee at Coconino High.
From Friday:
Saguaro 35, Serra (CA) 20: After shifting to the 4A Division, there was little question that Saguaro had a chance to run the table in the state of Arizona. However, the Sabercats’ two games against teams from beyond the state’s borders posed perhaps the most likely chance they could lose a regular-season game. The most intriguing matchup was in the opener Friday, against Gardena Serra from California. The Sabercats (1-0) certainly made an impression.
After falling behind 20-14 at halftime, Saguaro shut down the Cavaliers (0-1) in the second half, scoring 21 unanswered points. Josiah Bradley had a significant hand in the comeback, scoring two of his three touchdowns after halftime. He finished with 84 yards on six carries. Junior quarterback Max Massingale, making his first start, also acquitted himself well, throwing for 189 yards on 12-for-19 passing and two touchdowns and an interception. He added 23 yards on the ground. Tight end Jared Poplawski, an Arizona State commit, caught two passes for 81 yards and a touchdown.
But the real story for Saguaro, winners of eight state titles in 10 years, was its smothering defense. They slowed quarterback Jalani Eason after he ran wild in the first half, and kept Serra, a CIF-SS playoff team a year ago, off the scoreboard.
Perry 30, Desert Vista 24 (OT): Opening the season with a seven-game losing streak and trailing 24-16 to visiting Desert Vista in the fourth quarter, Perry (1-0) rallied to win in overtime. The Pumas tied the game on a 2-yard touchdown run by quarterback D’Shayne James and ensuing two-point conversion with less than nine minutes remaining. After Perry won the coin toss in overtime and elected to play defense first, the Thunder (0-1) fumbled on their opening play. Running back Kenny Fultz broke free on the next play, scoring from 10 yards out.
James finished 9-of-21 passing for 177 yards and a touchdown. He added a team-high 50 yards on the ground with another touchdown. The Pumas also got a rushing score from senior Clayson Conrad. Dual-threat quarterback Nick Thomas rushed for a game-high 117 yards and a touchdown for Desert Vista, while also throwing for 127 yards on 16-of-27 passing and a pair of touchdowns.
Westview 54, Basha 36: With the kind of firepower Basha has on offense, it has never been a question whether or not they would be able to score points. However, preventing opponents from doing so is another story. Despite getting a 238-yard, two-touchdown effort from senior star quarterback Ryan Kelley, the Bears (0-1) were overwhelmed by Westview (1-0). The Knights grabbed a 28-7 lead at halftime and were able to stifle any chance of a Basha comeback with 18 points in the fourth.
Terrell Brown led Basha with five catches, including both touchdowns from Kelley, and 104 yards.
