After each having a week off, the Cesar Chavez Champions and the Mesa Jackrabbits will shake off the cobwebs and hit the field against one another at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Cesar Chavez hasn't scored more than seven points for three games straight, a trend the team is eager to reverse.
It's never fun to lose, and it's even less fun to lose 44-7, which was the final score in Cesar Chavez's tilt against Pinnacle last Friday. While losing is never fun, the Champions can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Arizona football rankings (they are ranked 85th, while the Pioneers are ranked seventh).
Cesar Chavez's defeat shouldn't obscure the performances of Ronald Brassfield, who picked up 110 receiving yards and one touchdown, and Mason Penrod, who threw for 187 yards and one TD. The bulk of those receiving yards came from one huge play: a catch that gained an incredible 85 yards.
Meanwhile, Mesa was able to grind out a solid win over Salpointe Catholic last Friday, taking the game 23-14.
Cesar Chavez better keep an eye on Rio Arnett. He was instrumental in Mesa's win, rushing for 60 yards and a pair of scores. They also got help from Caleb Tafua, who showed off his sure hands for 94 receiving yards.
Mesa didn't let much get past them through the air: they limited Salpointe Catholic to a completion percentage of just 47.8%. The Jackrabbits weren't nearly as limited: they posted one of 66.7%.
Mesa's defense didn't let Matthew Avelar, get away unscathed either: they got into the backfield for three sacks. In that department, Motuhifonua Stephenson was the leader with two. Kainalu Skipps was another major factor on D, making ten total tackles (2.0 for loss) and snagged an interception.
Cesar Chavez's loss dropped their record down to 1-5. As for Mesa, the victory got them back to even at 3-3.
Cesar Chavez barely slipped by Mesa when the teams last played back in October of 2024, winning 41-40. Will the Champions repeat their success, or do the Jackrabbits have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
