6A Opening Night Kickoff: Games from Thursday 8/27

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Take a look at the recaps of the opening night in the 6A division with 5 games in action. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hamilton vs. Brophy – </strong>Hamilton walked away with a 26-6 win in a game with limited offense on both sides. Hamilton had 174 yards of total offense in Jax Sculley's return from the knee injury last season and also were without top ranked WR Roye Oliver. [player_tooltip player_id='1327778' first='Devante' last='Roebuck'] led the team with 10 carries for 55 yards and a touchdown. Defensively Kacey Allen was a difference maker totaling 10 tackles, 3 TFL, a sack, and a pick six. Hamilton also got special teams touchdowns on a blocked FG. Brophy battled defensively but struggled with turnovers and miscues. Up next Hamilton takes on one of the top programs in NV, Arbor View HS and Brophy is on the road at Boulder Creek.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Higley vs Queen Creek – </strong>Queen Creek took the 35-31 victory over Higley with a career night for junior QB [player_tooltip player_id='2116483' first='Sawyer' last='Hales'] throwing for 351 yards and 5 touchdowns on 14 of 21 attempts. [player_tooltip player_id='1154956' first='Cayl' last='Cox-Liggins'] and Levi Johns had explosive receiving games going over 100 yards and a touchdown each. [player_tooltip player_id='2116470' first='Colton' last='Cox'] also caught 2 touchdowns on 4 receptions with 75 yards. Defensively junior LB Asher Howard led the way with 15 total tackles (9 solo). Higley RB Antonio Young took the bulk of offensive touches taking 27 carries for 166 yards and 3 touchdowns. Higley travels to Colorado next week to take on Dakota Ridge and Queen Creek hosts Williams Field. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Centennial vs ALA-Queen Creek – </strong>Centennial jumped out to an early lead scoring on their first three possessions in the first quarter and never looked back in the 44-10 win over ALA-Queen Creek. The Centennial defense shut down the ALA offense creating turnovers and negative plays throughout the game, highlighted by a pick six by [player_tooltip player_id='599179' first='Tyler' last='Overstreet']. [player_tooltip player_id='1327540' first='Torrin' last='Hill'] had a big night offensively scoring three total touchdowns, two of which came in the first quarter. Centennial travels to CA next to take on Servite, Trinity League team that is known for being one of the top leagues in the country. ALA travels to Utah to play Lehi, one of the top programs in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Casteel vs Red Mountain – </strong>Red Mountain came out with a one point victory over Casteel after a blocked PAT left Casteel down 34-35 late in the fourth quarter and Red Mountain ran out the clock. It was a back and forth game with explosive plays throughout. Senior Red Mountain QB [player_tooltip player_id='2348824' first='Caleb' last='Joe'] threw for 250 yards and 2 touchdowns on 12 of 17 attempts. Transfer from Washington Kaden Weaver showed out taking 3 receptions for 155 yards and a touchdown while adding an 80 yard passing touchdown on a trick play. WR [player_tooltip player_id='1392938' first='Airreon' last='Windom'] also had a big night with 161 scrimmage yards and 2 touchdowns. The Red Mountain defense forced 3 interceptions by Gard Liles, [player_tooltip player_id='2203301' first='Mikko' last='Lopez'], and Alatini Lutui. Casteel's dual threat QB Tee Smith was productive through the air and with his legs throwing for 334 yards 3 touchdowns and adding 55 yards 2 touchdowns on the ground but also had the three picks. [player_tooltip player_id='1654808' first='Troy' last='Jauregui'] finished with 5 receptions for 150 yards and a touchdown while Joel Cal had 3 receptions for 116 yards and 2 touchdowns. Casteel travels to Oregon next week to play Lake Oswego and Red Mountain hosts Westwood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Salpointe Catholic Vs. Marana – </strong>Salpointe took home the 28-7 win over Marana in the season opener fueled by an outstanding defensive performance from the Lancers. Marana gained just 150 yards of total offense while Salpointe forced two interceptions with one going back for six by 2028 grad Jeremiah Wells. Salpointe also had a 47 yard touchdown run by RB [player_tooltip player_id='883663' first='Adrian' last='Jett'] in the second quarter, a kick returner touchdown by [player_tooltip player_id='2257561' first='Jake' last='Bondi'], and a short rushing touchdown from OJ Flores. The Marana defense battled forcing stops and creating turnovers but the offense was never able to get going and capitalize. Salpointe plays Tucson next week at home while Marana will take on Waddell Canyon. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->