The Sabino Sabercats will head out to challenge the Valley Christian Trojans at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Having struggled with four losses in a row, Sabino turned things around against Safford on Friday. They came out on top against the Bulldogs by a score of 40-0 (the very same score they lost by in their prior game). The high-scoring effort was just what the Sabercats needed considering they were shut out in their previous game.
Sabino's success was spearheaded by the efforts of Zachari Haley, who gained 283 total yards, and Bodhi Sanford, who threw for 283 yards and five touchdowns on only 17 passes. Haley got the majority of those rushing yards when he took off on a run that went for an incredible 70 yards.
Sabino's run defense was locked in: Safford could only muster 3.4 yards per carry. The team can thank Gabe Warren for the heroic effort on defense: he. Sabino didn't have any issues in that department, having averaged 7.9.
Sabino didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off three passes before the game was over. It was truly a group effort as Je'Miah Martinez, Javian Winton, and Anthony Dimas picked up one apiece.
Meanwhile, a well-balanced attack led Valley Christian over ALA - Ironwood in every quarter on their way to victory on Friday. Given that consistent dominance, it should come as no surprise that the Trojans blew the Warriors out of the water with a 49-20 final score. The Trojans pushed the score to 35-7 by the end of the third, a deficit the Warriors had little chance of recovering from.
Sabino better keep an eye on Austin Schuder. He was instrumental in Valley Christian's win, throwing for 354 yards and seven TDs while picking up 16.1 yards per attempt, and also rushing for 51 yards on only seven carries. Those seven passing touchdowns gave Schuder a new career-high. Caleb Goldman was another key player, gaining 120 total yards and a touchdown.
Sabino's record now sits at 4-6. As for Valley Christian, their record is now 9-1.
We should be in store for an exciting game as the two teams have no problem gaining yardage. Sabino has been on an offensive roll this season, having averaged 355.6 total yards per game. However, it's not like Valley Christian struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 364.4 total yards. With a pair of commanding offenses duking it out, the defenses are going to have their work cut out for them.
Sabino came up short against Valley Christian in their previous matchup back in August, falling 18-14. Can the Sabercats avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
