After an eventful off-season in high school football throughout Arizona, it's time for the real drama to unfold on the field.

Last week most 1A-3A teams kicked off the season, and now it's time for a full slate this weekend. Many top teams are squaring off this evening, including Saguaro and ALA Queen Creek.

While Saguaro's program evolved into a national brand over the last two decades, the Sabercats may be at a crossraods. Meanwhile, ALA Queen Creek's program has defined the 'small but fierce' mantra, having qualified for the Open Division playoffs three seasons straight, as a 4A, 5A and 6A team. Can it maintain its status as an Open regular?

Tonight's showdown is crucial for both teams.

Saguaro: Still SagU?

Between 2006 and 2018, Saguaro brought home the 4A state championship trophy 10 times. The Sabercats then qualified for the Open Division playoffs in its first four years of inception, and won the Open in title in 2021. At that point Saguaro was pushed up to the 6A conference for football, despite the school remaining in 4A for all other athletic competition. The move to 6A didn't slow down the Saguaro freight train. The Sabercats finished runner-up in the '22 Open title game, and overcame a shaky regular season last year to capture the 6A championship trophy.

But regardless of how the 2024 season unfolds, it might be considered a new era for the Saguaro program. It's no secret that a mass player exodus has taken place since last December. Over 20 Saguaro players transferred to different schools, many of them sure starters, including a handful of Division 1 prospects.

In February, then head coach Zak Hill announced he was also leaving Saguaro for another Valley job after just one season at the helm. Assistants began departing as well. At that point the program appeared to be in a freefall, both personell-wise and perceptively.

It wasn't until later in March that Darius Kelly was announced as the newest head coach. Kelly served as an assistant head coach last season, which helped to salvage some type of continuity for the players.

"The adjustment was definitely hard at first," senior Garrett Martin said earlier this month. Being the guy he is, and super driven, super motivated, he's determined to return this team to what it's been and what it really is. We've had different coaches every year that I've been here, but having coach Kelly come in as the new head coach has been the best fit."

         Darius Kelly joined the Saguaro staff last season as a defensive assistant. His Sabercats host ALA Queen Creek tonight in Kelly's first game as head coach. (Photo by Cole Topham)

Martin, a top rated defensive lineman, is Saguaro's highest profile player to return for his senior season. The 6-4, 240 pound Martin is committed to Kansas. The 'Cats will also rely heavily on running back Elias Johnson and receiver/defensive Mason Whitaker, both seasoned varsity starters.

Leftover or Looked Over?

Martin mentioned that he's heard people refer to Saguaro's current roster as "leftovers" referring to the mass departure of players in the off season. Much like Colorado coach Deion Sanders, Martin and his teammates have kept receipts. 

"That's what we've been called, but it's just more motivation. People are just fueling the fire. We know that people have counted us out."

Kelly may have the most difficult job of any coach in the state this season. Between the lack of starting experience and a gauntlet of a schedule, Kelly and the Sabercats have their work cut out for them. Remember, this a 4A school competing in 6A. The talent still exists, but the depth may face challenges. Last fall, Saguaro's junior varsity team was cruising with a 5-0 record before injuries depleted the team to the point it had to absorb with the freshman team.

But the first year head coach isn't about to make excuses, as he remains upbeat and excited to get the season started.

"This team we have here is resilient and they're the ones that are gonna push this thing forward," Kelly said. "The guys that are here are working their tails off and they're making it fun to coach, and I'm just excited about how much they really want to be at Saguaro."

The Little Team That Could

ALA Queen Creek and Saguaro are somewhat familiar with eachother. This will be the third time in four years the teams have met early in the regular season. The Sabercats have won all three, but the Patriots held their own each time.

Like Saguaro, ALA QC also dealt with a surprising coaching change over the off-season, although it seemed more like a game of musical chairs. Administrators at ALA sent former head coach Ty Detmer over to ALA Gilbert North after Randy Ricedorff's departure, while bringing back Rich Edwards, who guided the ALA Queen Creek program from its infancy through 2020.

Edwards tenure included 3A titles in 2016 and '19. Soon after, the Patriots moved to 4A, and when Detmer took over in 2021, he guided the team to three consecutive Open appearances. Like Saguaro, ALA Queen Creek's football program was pushed into the 6A conference last season despite a 4A enrollment and a roster that was undersized. But the Patriots surprised nearly everyone, finishing with a 8-3 record before falling to Basha in a thrilling first round Open playoff game. 

Despite losing nearly all of last year's offensive weaponry, most local media have ALA Queen Creek penciled in for another spot in the Open playoffs. The Patriots return a strong offensive line, anchored by Riggs Anderson and Mackay Jensen, who should help break in a new backfield.

Offensive linemen Riggs Anderson (72) and Mackay Jensen (53) celebrate after an ALA Queen Creek touchdown in last year's playoff contest against Basha. (Photo by Cumorah McOmber)

Defensively, three of ALA's top tacklers return, including Brody Michael, Ryder Agne and Tillman Mullenaux. An experienced defense may give the Patriots and advantage, as Saguaro will likely start a freshman quarterback--albeit a highly touted one--in Hawaii transfer Zealand Danielson. 

Also and advantage is the continuity of ALA Queen Creek's coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Max Hall and defensive coordinator James Verenski have served as anchors for the program since the beginning, making Edwards return a coaching reunion more so than a change.

Despite playing the rare role of underdog, Saguaro seems ready for the week one challenge.

"We've got a chip on our shoulders a little bit," coach Kelly added. Everybody has counted us out, calling these guys the leftovers and such, but our team has bought into that mentality and they want to prove something."