Alex Chenevey is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Cactus Shadows for AZPreps365.com

Cactus Shadows on Friday is playing its biggest game of the season, as it squares off against the  No. 27 Horizon Huskies at Husky Stadium.

The Falcons started under new leadership, hiring former indoor and arena football player Chris Dixon as head coach. Dixon has been a welcome sight for seniors who have been with the team. 

“I’ve enjoyed playing for Coach Dixon a lot; he’s been great; the things he’s been doing for us is amazing, like exposure and stuff, and helping us out and having better lifting programs,” senior defensive tackle Dillon Roberts said.

This is a revenge game of sorts for Cactus Shadows, as the Falcons last year lost to Horizon 49-0. For senior running back/defensive back Jaivon Swecker, the 2021 game still looms large, but will be used as motivation. 

“I think our team has a little bit of revenge to come back from that 49-0 loss last year,” Swecker said. “You’ve got a couple of the kids, including me, and some of the seniors who played last year against it and witnessed that, and I think we just have the fire on our way and I think we can pull this game out.”

Cactus Shadows is coming off a big win against non-section Sunnyside last week, which will be used as a building block. 

“Well, we just need to build off our positives and want to clean up our negatives,” Dixon said. “I think the one thing we gotta do this week is take advantage of when we get opportunities. One thing we’ve been working on is clicking earlier and trying to get our offense moving earlier so that we can score earlier, especially the way our defense has played the last couple of weeks.”

The Falcons defense tightened up last week, allowing only 215 total yards to Sunnyside and forcing two turnovers. 

“I think they’ve been doubted all year,” Dixon said. “Going into the season, the defense wasn’t expected to be one of our strengths because we didn’t have the experience on defense that we have on offense, and I thought our defense has done a really good job of stepping up and taking on any challenge and not being afraid to take on anybody.”

Roberts is one of the defense's key anchors, and he looks forward to the challenge of playing Horizon.

“I know they’re a good team; they’ve always been a good team,'' Roberts said. "I know a couple of kids on that team and I’m excited to play them. We just gotta keep doing what we’ve been doing in practice and keep the momentum from the last game.”

The Falcons offense chipped in with 17 points last week, as freshman quarterback Donivan Dixon threw two touchdown passes and, in turn, won his first game as a starter. Cactus Shadows will have to keep him in rhythm on the road. 

“He’s already played a road game at Desert Edge; he has some experience which is good, and I think he would be prepared to take on the challenge,” Dixon said.

The Falcons also have an efficient rushing attack, as they ran for 129 yards last week and averaged 5.2 yards per carry. Swecker, who led the team in rushing attempts and rushing yards last week, said watching film is a key part of preparing against a stout team like Horizon.

“I gotta keep watching film, kind of understand what the linebackers do in a sense, if they bite up on our runs very easily, what I have to do, read a cutback, see what the defensive line gives to me,” Swecker said.

Playing on the road won’t be easy, as Cactus Shadows' first road game ended in a loss against Desert Edge. Coach Dixon understands the advantages of playing as the home team as opposed to being on the road.

“I think we already know anytime you go on the road you’re already down; you already got five flags, that’s the rule, I always tell them,” he said. “You've already got five flags, so just learn how to play from behind and do the things you’re supposed to do. You gotta fight through the crowd; you gotta fight through the other team; you gotta fight through the referees."

Friday could be a defining turning point for Cactus Shadows. While it's only Week 3, this is arguably the biggest game of this season for the Falcons.