Address: 12575 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale; Records: Shadow Mountain 0-6, 0-1 Desert Valley; Desert Mountain 2-4, 0-1; Gametime: 7:00 p.m.
Outlook:
Desert Mountain needs a 5A Desert Valley Region win over the Matadors this week if it wants to keep its 5A-II playoff hopes alive, let alone stave off a potential lastplace region finish. A 7-3 loss to Corona del Sol early in the season is looking more and more like it could be the difference between John Burke’s squad earning its first playoff birth and the Wolves’ season ending on schedule as usual.
Desert Mountain’s defense kept the Wolves competitive early but has given up 72 points in the last two weeks. Shadow Mountain is allowing 40 points per game overall.
The Wolves couldn’t throw the ball last week against Horizon, but they didn’t really try either. Quarterback Tyler Harlow has stepped up to take the reins after injuries to his two predecessors, but Harlow attempted only four passes last week. Phoenix Shadow Mountain quarterback Nick Amari completed 9-of-14 passes for two scores against St. Mary’s.
Both the Wolves and Matadors are expected to have less trouble opening up their offenses this week, coming off losses to teams that are a combined 11-1 on the season.
— Compiled by Les Willsey and Brett Fera
