By Justin Janssen ’11
THE ROUNDUP
First Down: Brophy falls in Fiesta finale
On Oct. 29 the Brophy Broncos (4-5, 2-3 Fiesta) lost to the Desert Vista Thunder (7-2, 3-1 Fiesta) by a score of 38 to 14.
Brophy’s fans were all asked to wear black; little did they know their mood after the game would also be dark.
In the first half, it appeared Brophy would make a game of it.
Marche Dennard ’13 scored the game’s first touchdown on a three yard run to give Brophy a 7-0 lead.
After two Desert Vista touchdowns and midway through the second quarter, Fred Gammage ’12 found Devon Allen ’13 for a 78 yard touchdown to give Brophy a 14-13 lead.
The touchdown play was the longest play of the season for Brophy.
Just before the half the Broncos had a chance to take the lead, but their kicker missed wide left from 29 yards.
Later, with Desert Vista already ahead 25-14 in the third quarter, Hunter Rodriquez found Austin McLennan for 30 yards.
On the next play Mike Arredondo sealed the game with a 5 yard touchdown run giving the Thunder a 32-14 lead.
Second Down: Five Turnovers Doom Brophy
Brophy lost the turnover battle five to one with four of Brophy’s five turnovers coming in the second half.
The four second half turnovers resulted in the Broncos running only 15 offensive plays in the second half, as compared to 35 plays run by Desert Vista in the half.
Brophy’s first play of the second half resulted in a lost fumble, giving the Thunder field position at the Brophy 13.
Two plays later Desert Vista scored a touchdown, giving them a 22-14 lead with 7:46 left in the third quarter.
“You can’t win games when you turn the ball over” said Brophy head football coach Mr. Scooter Molander.
Third Down: Undersized Charley Beck continues to impress
Defensive End Charley Beck ’11 has 10 sacks on the season after sacking Hunter Rodriquez of Desert Vista on Oct. 29.
The Thunder had the ball at the Brophy 11 yard line late in the third quarter facing a second and short.
Beck exploded through a collapsed pocket and wrapped up Rodriquez, giving Beck his 10th sack of the season. This is six more than anyone else on Brophy.
More importantly for Brophy, the sack forced Desert Vista to kick a field goal.
Beck is listed as 5’10 185 pounds yet he lines up every week against an offensive lineman 50 to 100 pounds heavier than he is and four to six inches taller.
Entering the Oct. 29 game against Desert Vista, Beck also has 67 tackles, which is second on the team. In addition he has blocked a field goal and a punt.
Fourth Down: Brophy still in position to make playoffs
Despite losing the last two games by a combined score of 65 to 14, the Brophy Broncos are in position to make the playoffs.
After losing to Desert Vista, Brophy fell from 15th in powerpoints to 16th with one game remaining in the regular season.
The last game of the regular season is Nov. 5 at Yuma, which is located on the California-Arizona border and is just over three hours away.
“It’s important for us to get this next ballgame” said Mr. Molander.
Bronco fans will be scoreboard watching next week because not many can make the trip to Yuma.
Other key games for teams on the bubble for playoff entrance: No. 13 Saint Mary’s plays No. 6 North Canyon, No. 14 Westwood plays No. 19 Gilbert, and No. 18 Cesar Chavez plays No. 3 Centennial (5A-II).
