As the Arizona high school football season enters the first full week of playoff action, the Star looks back at the best of last week while charging ahead toward what we might be able to expect from programs across Tucson and surrounding communities this Friday and Saturday.
Team of the week
Tanque Verde is the only team this season to earn the Star's "Team of the Week" designation in back-to-back weeks.
The Hawks (9-3), seeded seventh in the Class 2A bracket, just missed out on one of the biggest upsets of all levels when they lost 22-21 in overtime to No. 2 Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (12-0). The Coyotes have won 13 in a row and won the state championship in 2021, while this is just TV’s second postseason appearance ever.
Arizona Lutheran averaged 54.4 points per game going into last week, and Tanque Verde held it to 14 in regulation.
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TV senior quarterback Grayson Bradshaw rushed for 56 yards and 2 touchdowns on 14 carries. TV junior Delon Harrison had 40 yards on 11 carries.
TV senior Gavin Gilbert led the team with 12 tackles, and Bradshaw had 10. Bradshaw and senior Jacob Norris had interceptions.
Mica Mountain's Conner Hangarner (7) rides the block of teammate Devin Hayward (4) to get inside the Canyon del Oro five in second quarter of their game at Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 13, 2023.
Stat book
Sabino senior quarterback Cameron Hackworth passed for 218 yards and ran for 151, accounting for four total touchdowns in the Sabercats’ 28-20 win over Eager Round Valley last week. According to AllSportsTucson.com, his 8,472 career passing yards rank him second all-time in Southern Arizona behind former Catalina Foothills star Rhett Rodriguez’s 8,694.
Canyon del Oro senior Kayden Luke ran for 224 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries in the Dorados’ 45-20 win over San Tan Valley Poston Butte. On defense, Luke made 3 solo tackles.
Mica Mountain junior running back Conner Hangarner ran for 141 yards and 2 touchdowns on 15 carries in the Thunderbolts’ 31-24 win over Snowflake.
Recruiting trail
Phoenix Brophy Prep junior cornerback Cree Thomas announced he will make his commitment announcement on Nov. 20 on YouTube. His finalists are Notre Dame, Oregon, Wisconsin, Arizona, ASU, Boston College, Cal, Nevada, Purdue, San Diego State and UNLV. Brophy is expected to be Salpointe Catholic’s chief rival in the 6A tournament.
Next level
Salpointe freshman quarterback Matthew Avelar started the weekend by leading the Lancers to a 41-0 win over Tempe Corona del Sol in the first round of the 6A state tournament. Then, on Sunday, he took a selfie with Salpointe alum and Atlanta Falcon running back Bijan Robinson. The NFL even tweeted out the exchange.
Former Sabino standout, Arizona and NFL player Brooks Reed gets to lead the postgame huddle after the Sabercats second round playoff win over Round Valley at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., November 9, 2023.
Quotable
“Not sure you can play that on the air,” said Sabino alum Brooks Reed to 1290-AM's David Kelly about what he told the Sabercats after their 28-20 win over Eagar Round Valley in the state quarterfinals on Thursday.
Reed starred for Sabino in the 2000s before playing for UA, the Texans, the Falcons, the Cardinals and the Titans.
Going social
"Shout out to the schedule makers. Gearing up to face our 10th playoff team in a row! Blessed for another week. Let’s get after it!"
Sabino football posted that message on X (Twitter), along with a sign that said “REST WHEN YOU DIE!” ahead of the Sabercats’ second game against top-ranked Bullhead City Mohave (11-1) since late October.
Former Salpointe Catholic star Bijan Robinson discusses his 2023 bye-week plans and returning to his home state after the Falcons' loss to the Cardinals (video by Michael Lev / Arizona Daily Star)
