By Justin Janssen ’11
THE ROUNDUP
First Down: Brophy offense shut out
The last time the Brophy Broncos played at Hamilton High School, which was 2008, Brophy was shut out 10-0.
Two years later Brophy returned to Hamilton and was shut out again, this time by a score of 27-0 on Oct 22.
Brophy (4-4 overall, 2-2 Fiesta) had an opportunity early in the second quarter to score.
With the Broncos down 6-0 to Hamilton (9-0 overall, 3-0 Fiesta) they lined up for a 34 yard field goal.
The kick missed a couple inches wide right.
The other chance Brophy had to score was early in the fourth quarter. Fred Gammage ’12 found Matt Auran ’13 for a 17 yard gain, giving the Broncos possession at the Hamilton nine yard line.
However, Gammage was sacked on three consecutive plays and combined with a delay of game penalty; Brophy was out of field goal range.
Second Down: Gammage still learning
It’s a tall order for someone making only his second start at quarterback to lead his team against the best team in 5A-Division I.
That was the situation Gammage was in on Oct. 22 against Hamilton.
He moved from wide receiver to quarterback after Tyler Bruggman ’13 injured his ankle and was lost for the season.
“He (Gammage) hasn’t played quarterback since Pop Warner. It’s been a while” said Brophy football coach Mr. Scooter Molander.
Gammage finished the day 10 for 19 with 77 yards and an interception, but was sacked six times (three by Hamilton defensive tackle Shaq Jenkins).
“He competed, he’ll learn. He made some mistakes but he made some really good throws,” Mr. Molander added.
Third Down: Defense plays well
Hamilton averages more than 41 points a game and the 27 points scored by Hamilton on Oct. 22 is their second fewest of the season.
In the first half Brophy only gave up two field goals.
With Hamilton up 3-0 in the first half, Charley Beck ’11 recovered a fumble from Jai Johnson to slow the Huskies momentum.
Late in the second quarter, Matt Cahal ’12, who leads 5A-I with 5 interceptions, deflected a Kyren Poe pass, forcing Hamilton to punt.
“The defense played excellent, gutsy” Mr. Scooter Molander said.
Fourth Down: Desert Vista to decide playoff status
Before the game against rival Hamilton, Brophy was ranked 15th in powerpoints, which determines the teams who make the playoffs.
The Broncos remained 15th despite losing; due to the amount of points they received by playing top ranked Hamilton.
Next week Brophy plays host to 6th ranked Desert Vista, who is fresh off an upset victory over Chandler.
“That’s our season, quite frankly. It allows us to continue towards the playoffs” said Mr. Scooter Molander.
Even if Brophy falls to Desert Vista, there is a small chance the Broncos could sneak into the playoffs because the teams below them do not have a good chance of winning their remaining games.