Mountain Pointe coach Eric Lauer uses a specific term for opponents facing American Leadership Academy Queen Creek for the first time.

"Indoctrination," Lauer says. 

"(ALA Queen Creek) is not intimidating by physical size, but those kids know how to play football and they get after it. I would think everybody around knows that by now."

From 4A to 5A and then 6A last season, ALA Queen Creek has gone up against the biggest and best football teams Arizona over the last three seasons. Even in the rare losses, the Patriots seem to find a way to compete.

Mountain Pointe (4-1) travels to Queen Creek tonight for its second ever meeting with the Patriots (5-0). Lauer and the Pride are counting on a better outcome than the first game.

Last season in this very same week six, ALA Queen Creek made a trip to Mountain Pointe, who was excited to field a large group of transfers who were finally eligible and expected to either start or make a difference. The Pride was 4-1 just like it is now, but the game didn't go as expected, at least for Mountain Pointe. ALA Queen Creek took a 7-0 lead to halftime and turned it into a 28-0 shellacking.

"That was like an initiation," Bauer says of last year's loss to the Patriots.

"We learned a lot about team chemistry that night and it takes time. We also learned a lot about ALA Queen Creek, and it looks like they are just as good this year or maybe even better. Defensively, it looks like they're racing eachother for the ball on every play."

Week 6: The eligibility game

All across the valley, football players are suiting up for their first game with their new team this week. In state transfers typically have to sit out the first five weeks of the season before they are eligible to play for their new school. ALA Queen Creek will have a few and Mountain will have a few. Last year the Pride had over 20 kids that had transferred before the season, so the numbers are nowhere close, but there is one already in the spotlight: quarteback Michael Tollefson, an Arizona State commit who came over from California.

His status and position alone make him an intriguing story by default. But there's more to the equation, and that's current two-year starter Robert Knorr, who has played well and according to Lauer, will get the start tonight.

"Robert has improved over the offseason more than any other player I've ever seen," Lauer said of the senior.

"He has worked so hard and made so much progress."

Lauer added that Knorr will likely get the start tonight, and that Tollefson's playing status will depend on how the game goes.

The Patriot Way

Despite an eventful offseason and a new quarterback, ALA-QC seems to have picked up right where it left off last season. The Patriots haven't faced the most difficult schedule, but are coming off an impressive 34-19 win over Pinnacle. Mountain Pointe figures to be their toughest test thus far.

Quarterback Crew Dannels may not have the arm strength of Enoch Watson, but he's filled in nicely and continues to improve. Kingston McCabe and Bo Sparks have been Dannels' primary targets through five games. Running backs Bobby Nesbitt and Brandon Brown have formed an efficient 1-2 punch, combining for 750 yards on the ground behind an experienced offensive line.

ALA Queen Creek receiver Kingston McCabe (13) celebrates a touchdown earlier this season. (Photo by Cumorah McComber)

As usual, ALA-QC is not overwhelming on paper, but once the game starts it's a different story.

“We stick to doing what we do best and that’s playing disciplined and fast,” Coach Rich Edwards says. "I think people underestimate our speed, which can make up for our lack of size."

Senior linebackers Brody Michael Ryder Agne lead the Patriot defense in tackles and sacks. Last year against Mountain Pointe, it was Agne's interception return for a touchdown that sealed the game against the Pride.