Hamilton football cruises past Chandler in Arizona

The season's marquee matchup was a dud, cementing what we already thought was true: There isn't a Class 5A Division I team in Hamilton’s (Chandler) class.

In the 14th meeting between the Huskies and arch-rival Chandler, Hamilton (Chandler) came out on top for the 14th time, beating the Wolves 38-20 in a game televised on ESPNU.

Hamilton (7-0) used the same defense it employed to corral Chandler quarterback Brett Hundley in last year’s state semifinals, dropping seven men in coverage, staying in its lanes and making life miserable for the UCLA-bound signal caller. Hundley completed 22 of 43 passes thanks to multiple drops by what appears to be an overrated receiving corps that hasn't performed in the team's biggest games.

Meanwhile, Hamilton quarterback Kyren Poe was the model of efficiency, completing 11 of 17 passes for 172 yards and three touchdowns for the Huskies.

Hamilton still has several tests left on the schedule – this week against unbeaten Tucson Salpointe, next week against a rapidly improving Phoenix Brophy, and in two weeks, a meeting with Mesa Red Mountain. But the Huskies appear locked in on a third straight state title.

2. Saguaro standout picks Razorbacks: The Arizona Republic reported that Saguaro (Scottsdale) defensive end/linebacker/receiver Brock Haman has given a commitment to Arkansas. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Haman has only played part of one game this season due to a shoulder injury. He was scheduled to visit a doctor Wednesday to determine when he can return to the football field.

3. Upsets, upsets, upsets: Seems like there’s always one week that has everybody scratching their heads. This was that week. In the 5A-I ranks, Cibola (Yuma) (5-0) posted the most impressive win for a Yuma school in two decades when it knocked off No. 3 Chandler Basha behind 327 yards from Jordan Mitchell. In 4A, Queen Creek beat defending 4A-II champ Cactus (Glendale) in triple overtime. In 2A, Tempe Prep (Tempe), playing in just its second year of 2A ball, stunned top-ranked Scottsdale Christian in resounding fashion, 35-13.

4. Firebirds still untested: Perry (Gilbert) thought it had risen to contender status in Class 5A-II after a 5-0 start. Chaparral (Scottsdale) showed the error of Perry’s logic. The top-ranked Firebirds (6-0) built a 35-0 halftime lead and rolled to a 55-6 shellacking. With senior tailback Kyle Brown out of the lineup for Chaparral, senior receiver Davonte Neal combined with junior running backs Zach Skeen and Lucas Petrullo for six touchdowns and 231 rushing yards. Looking at Chaparral's final four opponents, it's unlikely they will be tested before the state playoffs open in November.

5. Volleyball star chooses Jayhawks: The Arizona Republic reported that Xavier College Prep (Phoenix) 5-foot-10 junior setter Abby Hornacek, the daughter of former NBA guard Jeff Hornacek, committed to Kansas last week. Hornacek is a first-year starter at setter and shares duties with Tennessee-bound Bianca Arellano. Xavier is the three-time defending 5A-I champion and currently the No. 1 team in Arizona. Hornacek has 83 kills (46.1 hitting percentage), 29 aces, 14 blocks, 66 digs, and 239 assists.

THE FAB FIVE
1. Jordan Mitchell, So., RB, Cibola: How about a 327-yard, three-touchdown performance in an upset of the state's No. 3 5A-I team, Basha?

2. Tanner Clay, Sr., WR, Hamilton: Six catches for 175 yards and two touchdowns in a win over No.2 Chandler.

3. Ka'deem Carey, Sr., RB, Canyon del Oro (Tucson): The Arizona-bound star returned to the lineup with a bang, rushing for 274 yards and two scores on just 18 carries in a victory over Saguaro (Scottsdale).

4. Tyler D'Amore, Sr., QB, Ironwood Ridge (Tucson): Completed 19 of 20 passes for 289 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions in rout of Rincon (Tucson).

5. Rathen Ricedorff, Sr., QB, Show Low: Completed 23 of 35 passes for 409 yards and five touchdowns in a win over Fountain Hills.

FIVE GAMES TO WATCH
5A-I: No. 1 Hamilton at No. 7 Salpointe Catholic (Tucson), Friday, 7 p.m.: The Huskies' murderous schedule takes them to Tucson for a date with the unbeaten Lancers.

5A-I: No. 5 Mesquite (Gilbert) at No. 6 Mountain View (Mesa), Friday, 7 p.m.: Both teams have hopes for a Central Region title with Basha also figuring in the mix.

4A-II: No. 5 Williams Field (Gilbert) at No. 4 Notre Dame Prep (Scottsdale), Friday, 7 p.m.: Control of the East Sky Region is at stake. Williams Field's defense has allowed 21 points in five games.

3A: No. 3 Snowflake at No. 1 Show Low, Friday, 7 p.m.: Another titanic White Mountain clash whets the appetite for Oct. 22's mammoth showdown between Show Low and Blue Ridge (Lakeside).

2A: No. 4 Valley Christian (Chandler) at No. 5 Northwest Christian (Phoenix), Friday, 7 p.m.: The Central Region is still there for Northwest’s taking, but Valley and Scottsdale Christian are also in the hunt.

CRAIG’S CRANIUM
The Arizona Interscholastic Association Academy and Special Olympics announced a program this week that warrants applause. The program allows special-needs students to join with high school students in athletic competition, with the initial focus on basketball.

Project Unify will team two special-needs students with three students from their high school to compete against a Special Olympics team. The format will be co-ed and will involve six yet-to-be-chosen schools from the metropolitan Phoenix area.

The long-range goal is to involve as many of the AIA's 275 member schools as possible. The program is expected to begin in the spring of 2011. We'll keep you posted as more details become available.

Craig Morgan is a freelance writer who has covered professional, college and high school sports in the Phoenix area for the past 18 years. He currently serves as the Phoenix correspondent for CBSSports.com, covering the Arizona Cardinals and other local teams. He also writes a weekly column and other features for The Arizona Republic. You can reach him at craig@wordsmithonline.com.