5A Rematch: Notre Dame Prep @ Desert Edge

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big rematch from the regular season for a trip to the semi's on the line for two explosive teams. In a week 2 thriller, Desert Edge nudged out a 35-28 win in Scottsdale over NDP, and I mentioned back then that I wouldn't be surprised to see these guys meet up again. Offensively, both teams have some electric players that can be sure game changers, so I don't think a shootout is out of question. Desert Edge's defense has been solid the past 2 weeks though, so we'll see what NDP can cook up. <img class="wp-image-665234" style="width: 300px" src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/02/FoIUxbGaQAE5q2K.jpg" alt=""></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Notre Dame Prep </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't let NDP's record fool you at 4-6. They've played a tough schedule a suffered losses to the #1 seed in 6A Brophy, #1 5A Higley, #2 5A Desert Edge, #3 5A Horizon, #6 5A ALA-Gilbert north, and Open Division's #6 seed Desert Mountain. Their offense has been super impressive all year long, especially watching the [player_tooltip player_id='115517' first='Noah' last='Trigueros'] to [player_tooltip player_id='368921' first='Cooper' last='Perry'] connection. They are among the top QB/WR duos in the state and never fail to be on the same page and breakout those explosive plays. Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id='169421' first='Deacon' last='Shea'] has been an absolute monster all year, racking up over 140 tackles. I don't think the talent on this team is appreciated enough, as they have numerous kids who have division 1 potential. NDP is fresh off a round 1 win over Sunnyslope 35-20 where Trigueros out dueled the Oregon commit Moga with [player_tooltip player_id='368921' first='Cooper' last='Perry'] frequently making those plays after the catch. NDP shows a ton of potential moving forward and anything can happen if they stay hot at the right time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>NDP Key Players</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='368921' first='Cooper' last='Perry'], WR '24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='169421' first='Deacon' last='Shea'], LB '24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='115517' first='Noah' last='Trigueros'], QB '24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jameson Bush</strong>, ATH '24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brady Meyer</strong>, ATH '24<img class="wp-image-847843" style="width: 300px" src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/05/14857172_c00d4614c6534073b969a2ff270d5959.jpg" alt=""></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Desert Edge </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Desert Edge rolls into the quarterfinals after an 8-2 regular season and a round 1 playoff win over Buena 58-14. This opponent will be a tougher one, and a familiar one as well. They squared off with NDP during week two and earned their first W of the 2023 season on a close 35-28 game. Desert Edge's first loss came week 1 against Open Division #2 seed Centennial 13-0, which was the second closest game centennial had all year. Their 2nd loss came to a surprise, as they suffered an upset loss against Cactus 33-27. Although that loss stung them a bit, it might've been a perfectly timed loss to stay humble throughout the playoffs, and it looks like it did just that. Since that loss, Desert Edge has outscored their last two opponents 120-21. They have so many guys on that squad that are dangerous, and a kid who I think needs more credit is RB [player_tooltip player_id='364216' first='Markhi' last='McKinnon']. Mckinnon transferred over this year from Goldwater, and has been rolling ever since he got his opportunity. In just 6 games played, Mckinnon already leads the DEHS rushing attack in every category, as his yards are sitting at 679 along with 9 TD's. Mckinnon didn't play against NDP last time due to the transfer rule, so I think he could be the big difference maker in this one. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Desert Edge Key Players</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='364181' first='Deshawn' last='Warner'], LB '24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='368922' first='Hezekiah' last='Millender'], QB '25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='704774' first='Jamar' last='Beal']-Goins, DB '25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='662994' first='Jonathan' last='Kamara'], LB '24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='364180' first='Kezion' last='Dia-Johnson'], WR '24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='364216' first='Markhi' last='McKinnon'], RB '24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='169401' first='Aundre' last='Gibson'], DB '24<img class="wp-image-811644" style="width: 300px" src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/05/16051497_599f0ac8915c48149dcf68353bd52a93.jpg" alt=""></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->