They both have high-octane crimes. They both chase after him defensively. And both have state championship aspirations.
welcome to the republic of arizonaHigh School Football Game of the Week: Phoenix Pinnacle at Peoria Liberty on Friday night at 7.
This is week 4 of the Arizona high school football season, but it’s only the second game for both 6A teams.
Let’s break it down:
Pinnacle’s offense vs. Liberty’s defense
Pinnacle has been a quarterback factory under coach Dana Zupke, producing three Power 5 quarterbacks in a row: Brian Lewerke (Michigan State), Spencer Rattler (Oklahoma, now South Carolina) and JD Johnson (Michigan).
Wyatt Horton is now the sophomore quarterback who made a flashy college debut last week at California, where he threw three touchdown passes and rushed for two more touchdowns in a 43-6 win over El Camino. The moment is not too big for him.
He exudes confidence and, with a major playmaker in the 6-foot-6, 235-pound five-star tight end Duce Robinson, makes his job easier just to get the ball into the big man’s hands and let him do the rest. .
Robinson is not the prototype tight end. He’s big, athletic, fast, has great outfield moves and is used as a wide receiver and will run routes out of the slot. He looks a lot like Mark Andrews at Scottsdale Desert Mountain, now the tight end for the Baltimore Ravens.
So there are two X factors in the offense. Receiver Myles Libman, who is cunning and difficult to tackle in space. His brother Marcus was one of the best catchers in the state when Rattler was throwing darts at Pinnacle. Running back Jacobie Rucker is another X factor, whose toughness and punishing running style will ensure that Liberty pays attention to the run. Horton can also take off and make plays.
Liberty’s defense was good last year when it reached the Open Division semifinals, falling to Chandler in overtime. He could be just as good this year with defensive lineman My’Keil Gardner, a commitment from Oregon, being so quick and strong that it’s even hard to keep him out of the backfield with double teams.
Pinnacle tackle Elijah Paige (6-6, 285) is the best offensive lineman you’ll find in Arizona, and with tough linemen around him, the Pioneers shouldn’t feel outmatched.
Junior linebacker Keaton Stam is bigger than his older brother, Jax, who was an All-Arizona safety last year. He had a great game against Chandler in the state playoffs, and showed that he is ready to take it to another level this year for Liberty, after he had 10 tackles, a sack and a fumble last week. 0 defeat of rival Sunrise Mountain.
Plus: Arizona HS Week 4 football Game of the Week: Top Liberty, Pinnacle players to watch
Liberty’s offense vs. Pinnacle’s defense
This is junior quarterback Navi Bruzon’s offense now that Dom Ochoa has moved to the defensive end, where he has helped stabilize a young but senior-laden secondary. Bruzon’s wheels set him apart and make it difficult for defenses to contain him.
He has been on the big stage and played in big games. So this should be a game where you excel. Bruzon completed 10 of 13 passes for 133 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s 50-0 win.
Running back Zach Wallace is a third-year starter who got off to a solid start, rushing eight times for 100 yards and a TD.
The Lions have many weapons. Grant Brunelle is the best returning receiver on the team, but Bruzon was able to spread his passes against Sunrise Mountain. Brunelle had three catches to lead the team with tight end Braylon Gardner, running back Jaqua Anderson and wide receiver Prince Zombo each catching touchdown passes in Game 1.
Coach Colin Thomas likes to go fast and will try to catch the Pioneers on their heels. But Pinnacle has a strong pass rush. Defensive end Jack Franklin was in the El Camino backfield much of the night.
Liberty has enough running backs to rotate and give Wallace a break. He can be a workhorse and he may have to deal with Pinnacle’s enhanced defense.
They have speed on defense and are well conditioned. This could turn into a low scoring defensive game or a high scoring big game matchup.
Under the lights: The Ultimate Guide to Arizona High School Football
Bottom line
Freedom is favored, but it must be competitive to the end. Liberty, in the last three seasons, won the 6A championship in 2019 and lost in overtime to Chandler in the 2020 and 2021 Open Division playoffs.
Pinnacle won a 6A playoff game last year and showed how much they improved from a 42-0 Week 10 loss to Scottsdale Chaparral by having the Firebirds on the ropes in a 41-36 quarterfinal loss. The Pioneers lost eight games last year. They know it won’t be easy being in the same region as defending 6A champion Gilbert Highland, Chaparral, open state champion Scottsdale Saguaro and Phoenix Brophy Prep.
But they have the incentive and the talent to go deep into the playoffs with a wide shot with good pieces who will find a way to win.
To suggest ideas for human interest stories and other news, contact Obert at [email protected] or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter @azc_obert.
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