Friday night brings a big time Mesa matchup to Yurview, as Skyline takes on Red Mountain. Both teams are 3-0 in section play, so this game will decide the East Valley champion. The game can be seen on Yurview Arizona for customers of Cox Communications and will also be streamed live on Yurview.com. on October 20th at 7:00pm MST.
We’re Going Streaking
Red Mountain, after a semifinal appearance last season, hired a new coach. Mike Peterson and the Mountain Lions got off to a rough start, losing to Chandler and Hamilton to open the season. Since then, however, they’ve reeled off six straight games, improving markedly on both sides of the ball. After scoring 14 points each of the first two games, they’ve scored no less than 27 in each game since. Meanwhile, they’ve given up no more than 28 points after they allowed over 40 each of the first two games.
Red Mountain Football defeats Mesa, 55-21. #GoLions pic.twitter.com/Oc8kewB5qy
— Red Mtn. Athletics (@RMAthletics) October 14, 2017
Bringing the Wood
That’s what Skyline will try to do against Red Mountain, handing it off early and often to junior running back Aaron Wood. He’s already got 1,100 yards to go along with 14 touchdowns so far on the season. He ran for 300-plus in a Coyotes upset bid against Hamilton, and you would think Coach Angelo Paffumi will stick to that game plan after he had five scores against Mesa two weeks ago.
Aaron Wood for the 5th time tonight finds the endzone. This time from 15 yards out. @SkylineCoyote leads @JackrabbitBAM 44-14 #MyMesaFB pic.twitter.com/fAEUnjYS7g
— Zach Alvira (@ZachAlvira) October 7, 2017
Not So Fast
The Red Mountain defense will have something to say about that. They’ve been remarkable since those early season losses.
N the last 2 games @RedMtnFootball “D” has 8 ints w/ 4 pick 6’s 10 sacks 14 TFL’s a safety blocked punt for TD & held Dobson to 0-11 passing
— OTA with The KMAN (@KDBVoice) October 6, 2017
One key to that success is pressuring the quarterback, as they’ve recorded 32 sacks so far on the season. Senior Gabe Williams has seven sacks, while a pair of juniors Francis Kumi (eight sacks) and Alexander Randle (seven sacks) pressure opposing QB’s at an impressive clip. It also helps their second and third layers of D, as they also have ten interceptions and nine fumble recoveries on the season.
Players to Watch
S Lance Lawson – Red Mountain
Well, you won’t just want to watch him at safety, because you’ll also want to see him on offense. On that side of the ball, it may be at Wildcat QB. Or RB. Or WR. He’s been a four year starter, and has an offer from Arizona to his name, after he racked up nearly 2,300 yards last season.
Senior night game day…. crazy to see how time flies.. wouldn’t change it for anything???❤️ pic.twitter.com/q1MGqkY6wu
— LL (@Lance_lawson14) October 13, 2017
RB Aaron Wood – Skyline
A classic strength-vs-strength battle, the Mountain Lions will try to clog up his running lanes all night.
LB Delton Jackson – Red Mountain
Another four year starter for Red Mountain, he makes tackles all over the field.
DL Sam To’oto’o – Skyline
Skyline’s D line is a strength too, and To’oto’o is getting some Division 1 interest from his play this fall.
Watch Skyline take on Red Mountain on Friday, October 20th at 7:00pm MST on Yurview Arizona and streaming live on Yurview.com.
