The Corona del Sol Aztecs (7-0) battle the Mountain View Toros (6-1) in our GameTime Arizona featured matchup – Friday, November 20 at 7:00 pm MT/8:00 pm CT.
How to Watch: Corona del Sol vs Mountain View
This matchup has major playoff implications for both teams.
Corona del Sol is one of the few undefeated teams left in Arizona high school football.
As of now, the Aztecs have been left out of the top eight to get in to the Open Division playoffs, however a win could get them in.
Last week with their win against Westwood they were named East Valley region champs for the first time since 2008.
Read More: Aztecs hope to cap dream season with win over Toros
On the other side, the Toros are coming off a close loss to the Basha Bears, 27-20.
Mountain View leads the big-school classification in state titles with eight, but haven’t captured the gold ball since 2002 and haven’t been to the title since 2006.
If the Toros don’t walk away with a win on Friday night, it is questionable what their playoff status would be at 6-2.
“We’ve had such a great year with being undefeated and great attitudes,” Mesa Mountain View head coach Mike Fell said. “Then the first half (against Basha) we just played horrible and got dominated.
“We kind of righted the ship at halftime and figured it out. The kids came back after that and were great. We were down 17 to nothing and were able to come back.”
The Toros will look to stay strong for all four quarters this week against the undefeated Aztecs for good playoff positioning.
Check out the players to watch ahead of the action between Corona del Sol and Mesa Mountain View on Friday, Nov. 20 at 7:00 pm MT/8:00 pm CT.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jr. DE Malaki Ta’ase, 6’2” 240 – Mountain View
Ta’ase is having a breakout season as a junior this year.
The 6’2” 240-pound defensive end is tied for first in the state in sacks with 13. He has 50 total tackles and seven tackles for loss.
here it is….have at it💯💯- https://t.co/sOqDEsP6o5
— Malaki Ta’ase🇦🇸 (@MalakiTaase99) October 25, 2020
“He’s a tremendous athlete,” Fell said. “He’s a three-sport athlete. There’s very few three-sport athletes any more. He put on another 15-20 pounds since last year and he’s developed into a huge team leader for us. He’s really led our team this whole year.”
Read More: Pick 6 with Mountain View’s Malaki Ta’ase
Ta’ase also plays basketball and does shot put and discus events for the track and field team.
Sr. WR/LB Jake Schmitt, 6’2” 210 – Corona del Sol
Schmitt plays both ways for the Aztecs. On offense he lines up as a slot receiver, while on defense he flys around the field at linebacker.
“He’s our best football player,” Corona del Sol head coach Jon Becktold said. “He’s very vital to what we do offensively and defensively.”
As a receiver Schmitt has tallied 409 yards, six touchdowns. At linebacker, he has 36 tackles, six tackles for loss, a sack and an interception.
COMMITTED!🪓🌲#Gojacks pic.twitter.com/d9VS6cXG8f
— Jake Schmitt (@jake_schmitt30) September 30, 2020
Schmitt is committed to play football at Northern Arizona. He also had offers from Colorado State, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Idaho, Weber State and Southern Utah.
Jr. RB Reese Marziale, 5’10” 190 – Mountain View
Marziale has 605 yards and eight touchdowns this season.
TD Run for Marziale! Toros up 28 to 7 against Desert Vista at the half! pic.twitter.com/CGSiRs2Z2H
— Toro Nation (@MVToro_Football) October 24, 2020
“He’s fast and he’s strong,” Fell said. “He’s just a really good running back. He’ll probably be a college football player somewhere.”
Marziale has interest from Iowa State and several MAC schools.
Sr. LB Tudor Georgescu, 5’11” 205 – Corona del Sol
Georgescu leads the team with 45 tackles and five sacks.
12 Tackles, 9 solo. 3 Tackles for loss. 3 Sacks. And a W, 2-0! 💪🏼 https://t.co/XmDIhA7jio
— Tudor Georgescu (@thetudorg) October 10, 2020
“Tudor is probably the most underrated linebacker in the state,” Becktold said. “He’s a leader. He makes all the calls. He knows where everybody is supposed to be all the time. He gets better with each week.”
Last week against Westwood he tallied 10 tackles. His best game of the year came on Oct. 9 at Basha where he had 12 tackles, 3 sacks.
STAY IN THE LOOP
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