Upstart Horizon gets stern test in Chaparral
Mark Heller - East Valley Tribune - 10/7/2009

Much has changed for Scottsdale Horizon from only a year ago.

For starters, the nonconference schedule is significantly less daunting, as the Huskies have played the Yuma schools and Phoenix Central. Last season, it was Phoenix Brophy, Gilbert and Mesa in the earlygoing.

Secondly, and possibly as a result of the aforementioned, the Huskies have found balance offensively. Matt Jones has rushed for 111 yards per game, as the Huskies have run for 595 yards, more than twice as many as the team ran for in all of 2008.

Thirdly, the Huskies returned most of their passing game pieces from last year, when Ryan Stanford had to throw on nearly every down. He’s thrown 11 TDs to only four interceptions, while Nate DeFrietas and Michael Glidden have made big plays downfield.

“Being able to run was our biggest black hole last season and it’s been mostly a strength already,” Horizon coach Steve Casey said. “The boys up front deserve credit for that so far.”

It’s meant a quick 4-1 start to the season after falling to Mesa last week. With more wins than the past two seasons combined, the Huskies square off against powerhouse Scottsdale Chaparral on Thursday night to begin Desert Valley Region play, and a sense of progress has already been made as Horizon attempts the long road back to respectibility.

“They’ve won some games and are flying higher,” Firebirds coach Charlie Ragle said. “There’s something to be said for winning no matter who, when or how. It does something to kids’ minds.”

Chaparral (5-0) has been flying high for most of this season to date. The Firebirds are healthy and served notice in 5A Division II twice with wins against 5A-I Gilbert Mesquite and Mesa Mountain View.

A loaded backfield, an improving quarterback in sophomore Connor Brewer and a defense which has 21 sacks and six turnovers is part of the path Chaparral plans to take toward the 5A-II playoffs after moving up from 4A-I this season.

Chaparral will wear pink gloves as part of the effort to call attention to the fight against cancer, which took Ragle’s father in 1999 and has plagued a few of his players' families.

For slightly more selfish purposes, the first region clash is also a prime-time game on TV.

“It’s like Monday Night Football for the NFL, everyone is watching,” Ragle said. “It’s a chance to show what you’re about and put your tools and talent on display.”