The Bronco Beat

New divisional and sectional system changes sports schedules

By Michael Moroney ’13
THE ROUNDUP

The AIA instituted divisional realignment over the 2011 summer that moves the Brophy football team to Division I/Section III for the 2011 football season after having played in the 5A-I Fiesta Region since 2009.

Division I is now the highest classification for Arizona high school sports just like 5A-I was in past years. Division II is roughly equal to what 5A-2 was and Division III is nearly the same as 4A.

There are five total athletic divisions and three sections for each division. The sections will replace the regions from the previous format and are based on location.

Broncos finish 12th at Nike Track Nationals

By Michael Moroney ’13
THE ROUNDUP

Brophy track athletes used to running in the hot, dry desert took their talents to the national stage in cooler climates last month.

The Brophy track team traveled to Eugene, Ore. to compete in the Nike Track Nationals Saturday June 26 and finished 12th out of 12 teams.

Alumni compete in Division I lacrosse playoffs

By Michael Moroney ’13
THE ROUNDUP

Pierce Bassett ’09 was a four-year varsity starting goalie for the Brophy lacrosse team and helped lead the team to two state championships in four appearances from 2006-2009.

After his four-year tenure as the Broncos’ goalie, Bassett accepted a scholarship to play lacrosse at Johns Hopkins University. He would join his former Brophy teammate Hunter Rodgers ’08.

Broncos excel in tournament play, anticipate regional contests

By Erik T. Masingill ’12
THE ROUNDUP

As of April 4, the Brophy baseball team has an overall 13-5 record after their first 18 games.

Nine of those 18 games are tournament games. The Broncos’ tournament record stands at 7-2.

The two tourney losses for the Broncos were to Tucson (11-9) in the Adam Donnefield Invitational, Feb. 25 and to Harvard-Westlake (7-5) in the Big League Dugout National Invitational, March 29.

The Broncos also defeated Regis Jesuit (Aurora, Colo.) 6-2 in the Dugout National Invitational.

Bronco hoopsters receive Fiesta Region honors

By Ian C. Beck ’12
THE ROUNDUP

Coaches from all the teams in the 5A-1 basketball Fiesta region recently named two Broncos, senior center Sai Tummala ’11 and Rodrigo Furtado ’11, to the All-Fiesta Region basketball team.

The team is a compilation of the best players at each position for the Fiesta Region.

Tummala said that after not being named to the team last year, he wanted to prove his ability and show opponents the type of player he was.

Three and Out: Top four story lines from Brophy vs. Mountain Pointe

By Erik T. Masingill ’12
THE ROUNDUP

First Down: Brophy eliminated from playoffs after loss to Mountain Pointe

After beating Mountain Ridge in the first round of the state football playoffs Nov. 12, the 13th seeded Broncos looked to add another upset to their list when they traveled to Mountain Pointe to battle the fifth-seeded Pride on Nov. 19.

However, Mountain Pointe beat the Broncos 13-12. The Pride’s defense scored the only touchdown for the team on an interception return by Izzy Marshall and limited Brophy’s offense to 12 points.

“Our defense was excellent,” said head coach Mr. Scooter Molander. “Those guys really played their tails off. We’re six inches away from winning that football game.”

State championship streak hits 23 years for Bronco swimmers

The Brophy swim team has been the 5A-1 state champions for 23 consecutive seasons.

They have clinched the title every year since 1989, a year in which rebellions in the Eastern Bloc would end the Soviet Union.

With 33 total state championships, the Broncos have more titles that any MLB, NBA, NFL or NHL team.

Three and Out: Top four story lines from Brophy vs. Mountain Ridge

By Tyler J. Scott ’12
THE ROUNDUP

First Down: Brophy advances to second round of the playoffs

On Nov. 12 the Brophy Broncos defeated the Mountain Ridge Mountain Lions to advance to the second round of the playoffs.

This was a rematch of last year’s first round playoff game where the Broncos beat Mountain Ridge 24-0 at home. This time, however, the game was played on the Mountain Lions’ field.

This year also led to a Broncos win, 24-17.

“We just kept battling,” said coach Mr. Scooter Molander.

Three and Out: Top four story lines from Brophy vs. Desert Vista

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.

Three and Out: Top four story lines from Brophy vs. Mesa

By Justin Janssen ’11
THE ROUNDUP
On Thursday Oct. 14 quarterback Tyler Bruggman ’13 suffered an ankle injury and Brophy was sent scrambling to find a replacement.
Before the season started, the quarterback position was very deep and Garrett Wilson ’11 switched to defense in order to get more playing time.