The Maricopa defense struggled to stop an explosive Yuma Catholic offense, as the host Rams (1-5) fell to the Shamrocks in a 2A West Region game.

On a chilly Saturday afternoon in Gilbert, Yuma Catholic came into its quarterfinal matchup with Scottsdale Christian expecting a battle.

Yuma Catholic is a fitting 2A title game foe for Northwest Christian — as the Shamrocks have served as a measuring stick for the Crusaders’ title chances.

Yuma Catholic is a fitting 2A title game foe for Northwest Christian — as the Shamrocks have served as a measuring stick for the Crusaders’ title chances.

YUMA - The blitzers were quickly closing in and Yuma Catholic quarterback Tommy Pistone had about a split-second to get rid of the football.

May 15, 2004

It was just another record breaking night at the office for Yuma Catholic running back Kody Hazlett as he led the Shamrocks to a 49-8 victory over San Tan Foothills.

Key matchup: Valley Christian’s defense against Yuma Catholic’s balanced offense. The Shamrocks have amassed almost 1,500 yards of offense in four games, 797 passing.

Valley Christian sits on the opposite side of the bracket from defending state champion Yuma Catholic, but that doesn’t make the Trojans’ path through the 2A baseball tournament much easier.

American Catholics who want the Vatican to adopt reforms won’t be effective until they find an ear in Rome, says an investigative writer whose books about clergy sexual abuse were a factor in Pope Benedict XVI’s removal last May of the founder of the Legion of Christ.

Yuma, winless in 5A Central Region play coming into Tuesday’s game at Marcos de Niza, went on a fourthquarter scoring binge, erasing a nine-point deficit and holding on for a 66-65 win.

The Seton Catholic boys soccer team reached the 1A-3A state championship game with a 4-1 win Thursday over visiting Rio Rico.

Cactus 37, Phoenix Arcadia 0

Key Matchup: Valley Christian’s rushing game has been neutralized twice this season — in both its losses (Yuma Catholic and Scottsdale Christian).

Scottsdale Christian edged Yuma Catholic in a one-hole playoff, Tuesday to win the Class 1A-2A boys team golf title at Aguila Golf Course in Laveen.

YUMA - Chandler Valley Christian elected to play. But it would be perfectly understandable if the Trojans’ hearts weren’t in Friday’s 55-22 2A nonregion loss to host Yuma Catholic.

Who: Yuma Catholic (17-1) vs. Valley Christian (18-2); When: 6:30 p.m. today

Who: Yuma Catholic (17-1) vs. Valley Christian (18-2); When: 6:30 p.m. today

Time: 5 p.m. (Saturday)

May 12, 2004

Key matchup: Both teams’ defense vs. the run. Both teams have utilized stellar rushing games. The better defense prevails.