BRACKET SHOW LIVE 9 AM

 

Jorge Romero rushed for 229 yards and two touchdowns. He is the real deal. His 80-yard sprint to put Pueblo up 7-0 on the first play from scrimmage showed his speed and his runs up the middle displayed his power as he carried multiple tacklers for huge gains. But his legs weren't enough.

The Sabino machine matched Romero yard for yard with over 300 yards rushing and five scores. Too many weapons.

Marquis Chamblee rushed for 164 yards and two TDs and Albert Green IV added 98 yards and two more scores. Green also pulled down three interceptions and had an 80-yard punt return erased due to a penalty. He was the difference maker.

"I was at the right place at the right time," explained Green. "We knew it was going to be a bloodbath tonight with a great team like Pueblo so we had a good week and prepared."

Being in the right place is part luck but it also takes a lot of skill. Some of that skill is passed on by coaches.

Brandon Sanders was part of the University of Arizona's Desert Swarm defense. As a safety, he earned first-team All-Pac-10 status twice before appearing in 34 games in three seasons with the New York Giants.

He turned a 3-7 team into a 7-3 squad in his first try, one game away from a playoff appearance. And, instead of showing any sort of disappointment, Sanders led his team in the Warrior fight song in front of the fans who came to watch the section championship.

"They got us but this is the foundation," Sanders told his team. "Keep fighting and remember this feeling. Once a Warrior, always a Warrior."

On the other side, Jay Campos is a seasoned coach who has taken Sabino to a title game. He knew three opening losses could be overcome due to the nature of the sectionals and he reeled off seven wins in a row to get his team back in another title hunt.

The reward for defeating Pueblo 56-14 is a section championship and a trip to play No. 1 Scottsdale Saguaro in the first round of the Division III playoffs next Friday.

Saguaro has a 2,000 yard passer in Kare' Lyles and a 1,000 yard rusher in Kam'ron Johnson and another in Christian Kirk. In short, Saguaro has a dominating offensive attack.

Emilio Araiza was a perfect 8-8 for 102 yards and a TD for Sabino but he may be called upon to air the ball out more to keep pace with Saguaro.

Be sure to tune in to aia365.com for the football bracket show at 9 am Saturday morning and for more football coverage.

 

DIVISION II

First Round

Friday, Nov. 7 (7 pm)

 

Ironwood Ridge (9-1)

Top two seed. Will have tough games against either Cienega or Centennial to get to championship game.

Cienega (9-1)

Huge win over Sahuaro to remain in top four to set up possible home games in first two rounds.

Sahuaro (9-1)

Losing to Cienega shouldn't cost the Cougars a first-round game but the bracket reveal will be interesting.

Salpointe (8-2)

Two losses would equal a career season for a lot of teams. Does not look like the Lancers will play a home game during the playoffs.

Sunnyside (6-4)

Could be the last team in. They were in this position a couple of years a go but a section winner outside of the top 16 bumped them out. St. Mary's losing helps their chances. Reward? Peoria Liberty, Ironwood Ridge or Peoria Centennial.

 

DIVISION III

First Round

Friday, Nov. 7 (7 pm)

 

Canyon del Oro (8-2)

Looking to host. Hot team.

Catalina Foothills (7-3)

Will probably travel. Knocked Maricopa out of the playoffs.

Sabino (7-3)

Takes 16th spot and a likely trip to No. 1 Scottsdale Saguaro. Possibly last time Saguaro will play Division III if the classifications start to take into account participation levels. Look for about 80 jerseys lined up against Sabino.

Flowing Wells (7-3)

A lot of teams lost ahead of them but they have to finish in the top 15 due to Sabino taking the 16th spot.

 

DIVISION IV

First Round

Saturday, Nov. 8 (6 pm)

 

Sahuarita (10-0)

Undefeated. Hopefully sets up final against Chandler Seton Catholic.

Safford (8-2)

First round at home will be huge advantage.

Walden Grove (7-3)

Loss to Safford ends hope of two playoff games taking place in the Town of Sahuarita.

 

DIVISION V

First Round

Saturday, Nov. 8 (6 pm)

 

Thatcher (9-1)

Survives Morenci and will be rewarded with a super seed and stay in top four, forcing opponents to travel.

Pusch Ridge (8-1)

Playing only nine games might cost them a top eight finish.

Benson (9-2)

The Bobcats are in. Small town teams are sued to traveling.

 

DIVISION VI

Quarterfinals

Saturday, Nov. 1 (6 pm)

 

No. 7 Elfrida Valley Union at No. 2 Mogollon