Thunderstruck: Hamilton's reign ends
Desert Vista jumps out to early lead, dominates in Division I championship
WEEKLY BLOG: 11/26/11
For more than three years, the Hamilton Huskies had not lost a game. Most of the victories came in blowout fashion. A few times, the Huskies were perilously close to defeat, but found a way to pull it out.
Everyone knew "The Streak" would eventually end. We just didn't know when, how, or who would cause it to happen.
On a beautiful Saturday afternoon beneath an open roof at University of Phoenix Stadium, all the answers were revealed.
All hail Desert Vista, the new Kings of Division I.
The Thunder seized momentum right from the get go and never let it get away scoring five rushing touchdowns in a 45-19 victory. The win ended a 53-game winning streak - the longest active streak in the nation - for Hamilton.
The Huskies had claimed the last three Class 5A-I titles and suffered their first defeat since September 12, 2008 (to Centennial). How long ago was that? The current Desert Vista seniors (which are represented by 33 on the roster) were just more than a month into their freshmen years.
DVHS received the opening kickoff and senior Ryan Wagner brought it back to the 49-yard line giving the offense a short field. Nine plays later, Jarek Hilgers dove in from the 1 on fourth down to give the Thunder a lead, and a confidence, it would never relinquish.
The defense also came out fired up as junior Matt Young stepped in front of Hamilton quaterback Blake Kemp's third pass attempt and took it back 43 yards for a quick 14-0 lead.
Desert Vista (13-1) kept the Hamilton offense off the field for most of the half by driving the ball themselves and constantly moving the chains. A 15-play, 84-yard drive culminated in a 1-yard run by senior captain Mike Arredondo. The possession consumed over seven minutes.
Finding itself in an unfamiliar position, Hamilton coach Steve Belles gathered the troops around and gave a pep talk to try and turn it around. The Huskies responded with a 40-yard deep touchdown pass from Kemp to senior receiver Just'n Thymes on the right sideline to get on the scoreboard.
But, the Thunder went right back to controlling the ball with a balanced offense led by Hilgers, Arredondo, and Dominic Kereluk. The offensive line protected quarterback Hunter Rodriguez all day as Hamilton was unable to get pressure. A 12-play drive didn't result in points as sophomore linebacker Santana Sterling intercepted a pass, but the series used up the last five minutes of the half and Desert Vista went to the locker room up 21-7.
In the first half, the Thunder held a 3-to-1 advantage in time of possession and ran 36 plays to just 17 for the Huskies.
Hamilton (13-1), which came into the game averaging over 37 points, saw that the Desert Vista defense wasn't going to relent in the second half as it was stuffed on a keeper play on fourth-and-one from midfield.
Later in the third quarter, Desert Vista's wide receivers served notice that the Thunder wasn't just about pounding the ball and playing hard-nosed defense. Matt Geranen caught a long pass at the left sideline from Rodriguez for a first down at the 24. Kaleb Germinaro followed that with a perfectly executed fly sweep for a 21-yard touchdown and Desert Vista was back up by three scores.
Trailing 31-7, the Huskies found success with Kemp connecting with senior Kendyl Taylor. Taylor caught a pair of scores in the fourth quarter and had to bull and dive his way into the end zone for those. He led all players with 11 catches for 123 yards. Kemp had 267 yards and three touchdown passes. But, it was too little, too late.
Desert Vista, which never punted in the game, finished off the Huskies with fourth quarter touchdown runs by Arredondo and Kereluk to claim its second state championship in school history, and first since 1998. Arredondo led the Thunder in rushing with 70 yards and two touchdowns. DVHS outgained Hamilton on the ground 184-74. The Thunder also played disciplined football as it was flagged for just one penalty on the day. Hamilton had four 15-yard penalties in the second half and ended up with nine infractions for 82 yards.
The victory avenged a 35-10 setback to Hamilton on October 6, the Thunder's lone loss. Desert Vista won its last seven games.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desert Vista | 14 | 7 | 7 | 17 | 45 |
| Hamilton | 0 | 7 | 0 | 12 | 19 |
First Quarter:
DV - Jarek Hilgers 1 yard run (Scotty Goldfein kick), 6:41
DV - Matt Young 43 yard interception return (Goldfein kick), 5:49
Second Quarter:
DV - Mike Arredondo 1 yard run (Goldfein kick), 7:46
Ham - Just'n Thymes 40 yard pass from Blake Kemp (Daniel Wichman kick), 5:14
Third Quarter:
DV - Kaleb Germinaro 21 yard run (Goldfein kick), 2:57
Fourth Quarter:
DV - Goldfein 40 yard FG, 9:07
Ham - Kendyl Taylor 4 yard pass from Kemp (pass failed), 7:46
DV - Arredondo 10 yard run (Goldfein kick), 4:56
Ham - Taylor 8 yard pass from Kemp (kick failed), 3:52
DV - Dominic Kereluk 6 yard run (Goldfein kick), 2:16
PHOTO CAPTION: Desert Vista linebacker Jordan Pogue takes down Hamilton running back Clayton Stanchik in Saturday's Division I State Championship game. The Thunder ended Hamilton's 53-game winning streak with a 45-19 victory to capture the Ahwatukee school's first title since 1998.
Firebirds take 3rd straight crown
Davonte' Neal runs wild with over 300 combined yards as Chaparral pulls away
CHAMPIONSHIP BLOG: 11/26/11
Chaparral superstar Davonte' Neal more than atoned for his second quarter miscue on a punt return.
Neal, who is coveted by college programs from coast to coast, rushed for 220 yards in just nine carries and added another 107 yards in receptions to cap his high school career as the Firebirds defeated Cienega 37-14 on Saturday night at Sun Devil Stadium to claim the Division II championship.
Chaparral (14-1) won its sixth state title in the past 13 seasons, and made it three consecutive gold ball trophies.
After a scoreless first quarter, Neal did not signal for a fair catch and was leveled by Bobcat special teamer Brandon Bulgrin, knocking the ball loose. Cienega took over in point-blank range at the Firebird 3. The Bobcats fumbled on a running play, but it was recovered by senior Jalen Rogers, who scooped it up and took it in from three yards out to put the visitors from Vail on the board first.
On the Firebird's next play from scrimmage, Neal lined up as quarterback in the Wildcat formation and used his blazing speed to outrun the defense for an 80-yard run to quickly tie the game.
Chaparral took the lead for good on its next drive going 52 yards in just four plays with the last 25 coming on a pass from senior quarterback Connor Brewer to Neal, who was open in the end zone.
Cienega (13-1) was able to rally from a 14-0 deficit in the semifinals a week ago against Ironwood Ridge, but would find it tough to come back in the second half as the Firebird offense was just getting into a groove.
Chaparral took the second half kickoff and moved the ball on the ground with Neal ultimately taking a handoff and going around the right end. He showed his quickness off again going on a 42-yard touchdown jaunt.
Following a field goal by Firebird kicker Dylan Audsley, Chaparral gave the ball back to its offense compliments of an interception by junior defensive back Alex Arnold.
Neal had a 23-yard run to the Cienega 8 and Brewer appeared to score on a keeper around the right side but fumbled the ball into the end zone. Dylan Cozens recovered for the score to bust open what was a 14-7 halftime lead to a 31-7 advantage. Brewer became the first big-school quarterback to win three straight titles. He finishes his career a perfect 12-0 in playoff games.
The Bobcats, who were playing in their first championship game, battled back going on an 80-yard drive early in the fourth quarter scoring on an 8-yard keeper by quarterback Michael Archie. Cienega converted two fourth downs in the drive.
But, Brewer, who has committed to Texas, saved his best for last. He scrambled around running for his life before finding wide receiver Jake Roh a step ahead of the defender making a brilliant throw for his 100th career touchdown pass. Brewer became the state's all-time leader in TD passes earlier this season. He finished the night completing 14-of-21 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns. Chaparral scored on six straight possessions before running out the clock in the final minute.
Cienega, playing its 10th season in school history, had a 13-game winning streak snapped. Chaparral, meanwhile, now has a 14-game winning streak as the Firebirds regrouped and persevered following its loss in the Sollenberger Classic to Bishop Gorman of Nevada. The Firebirds have now won 32 straight games against Arizona teams.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cienega | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Chaparral | 0 | 14 | 17 | 6 | 37 |
First Quarter:
No Scoring
Second Quarter:
Cien - Jalen Rogers 3 yard run (Jason Cox kick), 5:02
Chap - Davonte' Neal 80 yard run (Dylan Audsley kick), 4:49
Chap - Neal 25 yard pass from Connor Brewer (Audsley kick), 1:28
Third Quarter:
Chap - Neal 42 yard run (Audsley kick), 2:57
Chap - Audsley 24 yard FG, 4:23
Chap - Dylan Cozens 0 yard fumble recovery (Audsley kick), 1:21
Fourth Quarter:
Cien - Michael Archie 8 yard run (Cox kick), 8:08
Chap - Jake Roh 7 yard pass from Brewer (kick failed), 5:08
PHOTO CAPTION: Chaparral's Davonte' Neal tries to elude Cienega's Diavonni Johnson (32) in Saturday night's Division II Championship. The Firebirds will take their third straight championship trophy back to Scottsdale thanks to 220 yards rushing from Neal in a 37-14 victory at Sun Devil Stadium.
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