Anthony Yero
ASU Student Journalist

After season-opening loss, Saguaro seeks statement game

September 9, 2022 by Anthony Yero, Arizona State University


Photo via Instagram/@stevendavis.media

Winning football calls for adjustments and revisions.

After giving up three first-half touchdowns to No. 14 nationally-ranked Bergen Catholic, the Sabercats allowed just one first down throughout the remainder of the season-opening loss.

Saguaro, which hadn’t dropped a season opener since 2013, won’t be phased by an early loss, and continue the quest for back-to-back AIA Open State Championships.

The once preseason top 25 bound Sabercats now find themselves outside the national rankings and hungry as they travel to Queen Creek on Friday. 

“It’s gonna have to be a statement game,” Sabercats senior cornerback Levin Robins said. "It’s been a lot of preparation going into this week.”

Queen Creek finished 8-3 last season, and won its season opener last week.

Saguaro gave up 219 rushing yards and a touchdown versus Bergen Catholic, but senior cornerback Cole Shivers pinpointed rectifying issues as an emphasis in practice this week.

“Just presnap, we weren’t getting lined up the correct way,” Shivers said. “I’m confident with us being able to stop the run coming into this next game and the rest of the year.”

Shivers broke up numerous passes in the Sabercats’ Open Playoff run last season. He transferred to Saguaro as a sophomore, and is now a caption in his third year playing for head coach Jason Mohns.

If there’s one thing Shivers has learned from Mohns, it’s how to win.

He’s garnered a 17-3 record since transferring in 2020.

“He likes being a certain way because he’s been winning for so long,” said Shivers, who’s ranked as a three-star cornerback, per Rivals. “When it’s about business, he’s one of the most professional people I’ve ever met.”

Opposing offenses averaged less than 15 points per game versus Saguaro last season.

Two names mentioned by numerous defensive teammates are linebackers Trey Morrison and Phillip Preston.

Morrison had 10 tackles and a tackle for loss last week.

Preston, a 6-foot-2, 202-pounder, had 45 tackles as a junior.

“I love our linebacking core,” Robins said. “Phillip Preston is one of those guys that’s really underrated, and you’re going to find out about him during the season.”

Shivers on Morrison: “He’s like a safety the way he tracks the ball.”

The sole source of offensive firepower for Saguaro last week was quarterback Devon Dampier.

Dampier, who continuously exited the pocket and made something out of nothing on his own. He rushed for 106 yards and threw a touchdown.

Dampier scored eight touchdowns during the three-game run in the Open Playoffs last season.

“Devon is an amazing leader,” sophomore receiver Dajon Hinton said. “The connection we have outside of football and in football, nothing’s going to break that bond apart.” 

Dampier’s sole touchdown last week came in the hands of senior receiver Deric English.

English sat out seven games last season after transferring from Mountain Ridge, and tore his ACL after just a few series’ in his first game.

English, ranked as the No. 12 recruit in Arizona, has overcome plenty of adversity, and his teammates have seen him grow.

“He’s definitely a leader for us,” Robins said. ‘He’s just a good dude all-around and I love competing with him every day.

Saguaro hasn’t lost back-to-back games since 2017, and is prepared to get back to its winning ways Friday.