Skip to main contentSkip to main content
Register for more free articles.
Log in Sign up
Back to homepage
Subscriber Login
Keep reading with a digital access subscription.
Subscribe now
You are the owner of this collection.
Edit Collection
You have permission to edit this collection.
Edit
Arizona Daily Star
74°
  • Sign in
  • Subscribe Now
  • Manage account
  • Logout
    • Manage account
    • e-Newspaper
    • Logout
  • News
    • Sign up for newsletters
    • Local
    • Arizona
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Nation & World
    • Markets & Stocks
    • SaddleBrooke
    • Politics
    • Archives
    • News Tip
  • Arizona Daily Star
    • E-edition
    • E-edition-Tutorial
    • Archives
    • Special Sections
    • Merchandise
    • Circulars
    • Public Notices
    • Readers' Choice Awards
    • Buyer's Edge
  • Obituaries
    • Share Your Story
    • Recent Obituaries
    • Find an Obituary
  • Opinion
    • Submit a Letter
    • Submit guest opinion
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Opinion & Editorials
    • National Columnists
  • Sports
    • Arizona Wildcats
    • Greg Hansen
    • High Schools
    • Roadrunners
  • Lifestyles
    • Events Calendar
    • Arts & Theatre
    • Food & Cooking
    • Movies & TV
    • Movie Listings
    • Music
    • Comics
    • Games
    • Columns
    • Play
    • Home & Gardening
    • Health
    • Get Healthy
    • Parenting
    • Fashion
    • People
    • Pets
    • Travel
    • Faith
    • Retro Tucson
    • History
    • Travel
    • Outdoors & Rec
    • Community Pages
  • Brand Ave. Studios
  • Join the community
    • News tip
    • Share video
  • Buy & Sell
    • Place an Ad
    • Shop Local
    • Jobs
    • Homes
    • Freedom RV AZ
    • Marketplace
    • I Love A Deal
  • Shopping
  • Customer Service
    • Manage My Account
    • Newsletter Sign-Up
    • Subscribe
    • Contact us
  • Mobile Apps
  • Weather: Live Radar
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Bluesky
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
© 2026 Lee Enterprises
Terms of Service | Privacy Policy
Arizona Daily Star
News+
Read Today's E-edition
Arizona Daily Star
News+
  • Log In
  • $1 for 3 months
    Subscribe Now
    • Manage account
    • e-Newspaper
    • Logout
  • E-edition
  • News
  • Obituaries
  • Opinion
  • Wildcats
  • Lifestyles
  • Newsletters
  • Comics & Puzzles
  • Buyer's Edge
  • Jobs
  • Freedom RV AZ
  • 74° Clear
Share This
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Bluesky
  • WhatsApp
  • SMS
  • Email
Field Pass: What to watch and a prediction for Salpointe Catholic vs. Scottsdale Saguaro
Share this
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Bluesky
  • WhatsApp
  • SMS
  • Email
  • Print

Field Pass: What to watch and a prediction for Salpointe Catholic vs. Scottsdale Saguaro

  • Justin Spears
  • Nov 30, 2018
  • Nov 30, 2018 Updated Nov 30, 2018

Star reporter Justin Spears breaks down key matchups, strategy and starters for the 4A high school football state championship game between the Salpointe Catholic Lancers and Scottsdale Saguaro Sabercats.

Game info

Salpointe vs Scottsdale Saguaro (copy)

The Salpointe bench rushes out to help Mario Padilla (7) celebrate his kick-off return for a touchdown against Saguaro in their 4A championship game at Arizona Stadium, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017.

Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

Who: No. 1 Salpointe Catholic Lancers (13-0) vs. No. 2 Scottsdale Saguaro (12-1)

What: Class 4A high school football state championship game

Where: Arizona Stadium, Tucson

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Watch: NFHS Network (Online)

Follow: @HSTucson on Twitter / the Arizona Daily Star on Facebook

Projected starters: Scottsdale Saguaro

Salpointe vs Scottsdale Saguaro (copy)

Three Saguaro players take down Salpointe's Bijan Robinson (5) during the 4A state championship game at Arizona Stadium, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017.

Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

Offense

Pos. | No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Yr.

WR 5 Will Shaffer 6-1 215 Jr.

SLOT 2 Marqui Johnson 5-9 165 Sr.

LT 75 Bram Walden 6-5 268 So.

LG 74 Tye Kassen 6-3 269 Jr.

C 56 T.J. McRae 6-3 278 So.

RG 72 Jelani Newman 6-3 298 Sr.

RT 77 Jaylan Jeffers 6-6 255 Jr.

TE 88 Hayden Hatten 6-3 220 Sr.

WR 4 Matt Polk 6-4 192 Jr.

RB 22 Israel Benjamin 5-9 190 Jr.

QB 13 Tyler Beverett 6-3 201 Jr. 

Defense

Pos. | No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Yr.

DE 87 Quintin Somerville 6-3 225 So.

DT 46 Alani Ma’afu 6-2 248 So.

DT 52 Jayden Swink 6-2 252 Sr.

EDGE 9 Seth Robinson 6-3 220 Sr.

WLB 44 Clayton Randall 6-3 208 Sr.

MLB 45 Hogan Hatten 6-3 220 Sr.

OLB 8 Connor Soelee 6-1 199 Sr.

CB 28 Cameron Nash 5-10 165 Sr.

FS 26 Nate Polk 6-3 188 Sr.

SS 24 Jacobe Covington 6-2 185 Jr.

CB 21 Brandon Shivers 6-1 190 Sr.

Projected starters: Salpointe Catholic

Salpointe vs Sahuaro (copy)

Salpointe's Zander Alvarado (84) leads his teammates through the tear-away Lancer banner and onto the field to face Sahuaro in their state 4A semifinal at Mountain View High School, Friday, Nov. 16, 2018.

Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

Offense

Pos. | No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Yr.

WR 8 Lathan Ransom 6-2 183 Jr.

SLOT 7 Mario Padilla 5-9 180 Sr.

LT 72 Colin Dreis 6-7 270 Sr.

LG 71 Bruno Fina 6-4 215 Jr.

C 53 Thomas Lares 6-0 250 Sr.

RG C.J. Franks 6-3 290 Sr.

RT 74 Jonah Miller 6-6 285 So.

TE 15 Xavier Farhang 6-4 210 Sr.

WR 18 Dae han Chang 5-9 165 Jr.

RB 5 Bijan Robinson 6-1 205 Jr.

QB 1 Devin Green 5-11 170 Sr.

Defense

Pos. | No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Yr.

DE 84 Zander Alvarado 6-3 215 Sr.

DT 35 Sergio Sanchez 6-0 260 Jr.

DT 23 Adam Corrales 5-10 225 Sr.

DE 6 Trent Strong 6-0 220 Jr.

OLB 20 Ray Figueroa 5-11 190 Jr.

MLB 40 Shamon Davis 5-9 210 Jr.

OLB 31 Christian Ralls 5-11 190 Jr.

CB 3 Alex Withers 6-0 175 Sr.

FS 8 Lathan Ransom 6-2 183 Jr.

SS 7 Mario Padilla 5-9 180 Sr.

CB 10 Charlie Raetzman 5-10 165 Jr.

Head to head: Bijan Robinson vs. Seth Robinson

Salpointe vs Scottsdale Saguaro (copy)

Salpointe's Bijan Robinson (5) fights his way through the Sabercats defense in the third quarter during their 4A state championship game at Arizona Stadium, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017.

Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

5 Bijan Robinson, RB, Salpointe Catholic

When discussing Salpointe’s offense, it’s impossible not to talk about one of the most talented running backs in Southern Arizona. Bijan Robinson is fourth in Arizona with 2,245 rushing yards on the season, surpassing a school record set by Chris Hopkins in 1991. Robinson broke Cam Denson’s single-season touchdown record (35) from 2012; both records came in the Lancers' 53-6 win over Sahuaro in the 4A semifinals. In last season’s state title game at Arizona Stadium, Robinson was still able to rush for 164 yards on 24 carries, but no touchdowns. If the Lancers want to win, Robinson will have to find the end zone at least once.

9 Seth Robinson, EDGE, Scottsdale Saguaro

The Sabercats will be without linebacker Damian Sellers and cornerback Kelee Ringo, both 2020 college prospects that have college offers from USC, Oregon, Alabama, Washington and LSU. The next man up to stop the run: senior edge rusher Seth Robinson, who is verbally committed to play for UNLV next season. If Salpointe’s offensive line doesn’t contain him, the Robinsons (no relation) will be meeting each other frequently Friday night.

Head to head: Lathan Ransom vs. Hayden Hatten

Salpointe Catholic High School football (copy)

Safety Lathan Ransom watches the offense's play develop during Salpointe Catholic High School football practice.

Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star

8 Lathan Ransom, DB/WR, Salpointe Catholic

Salpointe’s star athlete and four-star safety Lathan Ransom recently picked up an offer to play college ball at Notre Dame. So far this season, Ransom has proven to be a Division I athlete as a safety, but also leads the Lancers in receiving (580) and kick return yards (449).

88 Hayden Hatten, TE/MLB, Scottsdale Saguaro

Expect to see Ransom create most of his tackles against Saguaro tight end Hayden Hatten, a 6-foot-3-inch, 220-pound tight end who’s verbally committed to Brown for the 2019 season. Hatten averages 19.1 yards per catch this season and hauled in eight touchdowns. If Salpointe stacks the box to contain Israel Benjamin, there could be a few one-on-one matchups between Ransom and Hatten. The 50-50 balls could decide the outcome of the game.

The matchup

Salpointe vs Scottsdale Saguaro (copy)

Salpointe's head coach Dennis Bene looks for answers in trying to solve the Saguaro defense in the second quarter of their 4A state championship game at Arizona Stadium, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017.

Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

Sellers and Ringo have both been suspended by the Arizona Interscholastic Association for what it says is a “conduct violation.” Even without two of their stars, however, the Sabercats look every bit the part of a state champion. Coach Jason Mohns has established one of the greatest dynasties in Arizona high school football history, and there’s no reason to believe Saguaro will come out flat on Friday. However, Salpointe Catholic has been looking forward to this game ever since the Lancers lost to Saguaro a year ago. The Lancers are certainly more desperate.

The prediction

Salpointe vs Sahuaro (copy)

Salpointe players cheer their fans after they defeated Sahuaro 53-6 in their state 4A semifinal at Mountain View High School, Friday, Nov. 16, 2018.

Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

These teams have been inseparable during the playoffs over the last few years. The difference in this year's matchup: Salpointe’s offensive line matches up well with Saguaro’s defensive front. But vice versa? Saguaro’s average starting offensive lineman is 6-4 and 273 pounds, while Salpointe's biggest defensive lineman is senior Zander Alvarado at 6-3, 215. Friday’s game will be won in the trenches and by whichever team commits fewer penalties. Salpointe will trail late in the game, but clock management and Robinson’s ability to create big plays will give the Lancers their second state title in five years. It’s a bold pick, but wacky things tend to happen at Arizona Stadium after 7 p.m.

Salpointe Catholic 35, Scottsdale Saguaro 34

Justin Spears

Justin Spears

Sports Reporter

  • Author facebook
  • Author twitter
  • Author email

Related to this collection

Scottsdale Saguaro continues 4A mastery, beats Salpointe Catholic 42-16 for state title

Scottsdale Saguaro continues 4A mastery, beats Salpointe Catholic 42-16 for state title

Lancers suffer first loss, fall at Arizona Stadium.

4A football championship scoreboard: Salpointe Catholic vs. Scottsdale Saguaro

4A football championship scoreboard: Salpointe Catholic vs. Scottsdale Saguaro

The No. 1 Salpointe Catholic Lancers meet No. 2 Scottsdale Saguaro at Arizona Stadium for the second straight year with the Class 4A football title on the line.

Greg Hansen: 'Mr. Football' on Salpointe's blue-chip prospects and the Lancers' family business

Greg Hansen: 'Mr. Football' on Salpointe's blue-chip prospects and the Lancers' family business

The Star's longtime columnist previews Friday night's high school football Class 4A state championship game between Salpointe Catholic and Sco…

Watch: Walk-and-talk with Salpointe Catholic RB Bijan Robinson

Watch: Walk-and-talk with Salpointe Catholic RB Bijan Robinson

Justin Spears walks 100 yards with Salpointe Catholic's star running back Bijan Robinson before the Lancers take on Scottsdale Saguaro in the …

Salpointe-Saguaro fast becoming one of state's biggest, best rivalries

Sabercats have ended Lancers' last two seasons. Salpointe will need to play its best game of the year to avoid making it a third. 

This time around, Salpointe believes it'll be ready for powerhouse Scottsdale Saguaro

This time around, Salpointe believes it'll be ready for powerhouse Scottsdale Saguaro

Undefeated Lancers hope for different outcome when they meet Saguaro in Friday night's Class 4A state championship game at Arizona Stadium. 

Greg Hansen: Powerhouse Scottsdale Saguaro is a 6A team wreaking havoc in 4A

Greg Hansen: Powerhouse Scottsdale Saguaro is a 6A team wreaking havoc in 4A

Sabercats take on Salpointe Catholic on Friday for state championship.

Hansen's Sunday Notebook: Salpointe Catholic's run to state title game is one for the ages

Hansen's Sunday Notebook: Salpointe Catholic's run to state title game is one for the ages

Star sports columnist Greg Hansen offers his opinion on recent sports news.

Salpointe Catholic's Colin Dreis gained 70 pounds, opened coaches' eyes

Salpointe Catholic's Colin Dreis gained 70 pounds, opened coaches' eyes

Offensive lineman and undefeated Lancers will take on Scottsdale Saguaro next week in the Class 4A state title game.

Arizona Daily Star
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Bluesky
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Arizona Daily Star Store
  • This is Tucson
  • Saddlebag Notes
  • Tucson Festival of Books

Sites & Partners

  • E-edition
  • Classifieds
  • Events calendar
  • Careers @ Lee Enterprises
  • Careers @ Gannett
  • Online Features
  • Sponsored Blogs
  • Get Healthy

Services

  • Advertise with us
  • Register
  • Contact us
  • RSS feeds
  • Newsletters
  • Photo reprints
  • Subscriber services
  • Subscription FAQ
  • Licensing
  • Shopping
© Copyright 2026 Arizona Daily Star, PO Box 26887 Tucson, AZ 85726-6887
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Advertising Terms of Use | Do Not Sell My Info | Cookie Preferences
Powered by BLOX Content Management System from bloxdigital.com.
  • Notifications
  • Settings
You don't have any notifications.

Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.

Topics

News Alerts

Breaking News