A handful of recruits continue to power through playoffs
The 2016 season is over for the Arizona Wildcats, and the offseason is in full swing. It starts with this top-20 recruiting class, which is filled with commits still playing for championships across all levels and divisions.
Here’s your run down on everything that happened this past weekend, as well as what to look ahead to this upcoming weekend.
Rhett Rodriguez, Catalina Foothills overpowered by Saguaro
Saguaro is loaded with Division-1 talent, including a trio of three-star Arizona State commits: Four-star safety KJ Jarrell, three-star Donovan Dalton, and two-star Brandt Casey. Meanwhile, Catalina Foothills has Rhett Rodriguez and Max Michalczik, Arizona and NAU commits respectively.
CatFoot lost 42-14, trailing 35-0 at the half. Rhett finished the game with 105 passing yards and 72 rushing yards.
Drew Dixon, Sabino fall in 3A State Championship
Dixon did about all he could for Sabino this season. He finished 8-for-18 passing with 77 yards and two late interceptions, eight rushes for 33 yards and a touchdown, plus six receptions for 65 yards.
Sabino lost 14-31 to American Leadership Academy.
#Sabino cuts the #AmericanLeadership lead to 31-14 after an 8 yard Drew Dixon touchdown run and a Taylr Killian 2 point run #SABvsALEA #azhs pic.twitter.com/ORadSFnsU8
— High School Sports (@HSTucson) November 27, 2016
Hawkins advancing to CIF Los Angeles City Section Championship
The No. 1 seed Hawkins will be heading to El Camino College to take on No. 2 seed Los Angeles. Hawkins is one of the most talented high schools in the nation and there’s really no stopping them.
Through three playoff games, Arizona commit Greg Johnson has 13 carries for 176 yards, one reception for 10 yards, and a pick-six. Johnson left the last game with an injury.
2017 #Arizona commit Greg Johnson had ice bags wrapped around his right shin when #Hawkins went to the locker room at halftime.
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) November 26, 2016
Helix and Scott Young continue to roll
Helix is rolling in the CIF San Diego Section and Scott Young has been a pivotal piece. In their last playoff game, Young recorded 122 receiving yards on six catches and a touchdown. His touchdown came on a 72-yard catch-and-run. Helix will be taking on Cathedral Catholic for the championship.
Austin Faoliu and Xavier Bell maintain No. 1 ranking for Mater Dei
The No. 1 team in the nation has been cruising through the CIF Southern Section bracket and will play St. John Bosco in the Championship, who is currently ranked No. 4 in the nation.
Safety Xavier Bell and defensive tackle Austin Faoliu have played strong, contributing roles for the Monarchs.
Mobile Christian advancing to first State Championship in school history
Mobile Christian will be playing in the Alabama 3A State Championship for the first time in school history.
Troy Young, who will come in as a safety, has exclusively been playing running back through this playoff run. He has 389 rushing yards on 71 carries.
Young also took an unofficial visit to Alabama this past weekend. He is a two-star prospect who held offers to Mississippi State and South Carolina prior to his commitment to Arizona.
Great day at the iron bowl pic.twitter.com/m5Hncv7MsC
— Troy Young (@Troyy38Troy) November 27, 2016
Bishop Gorman still on pace for championship
Malik Hausman is nursing an ACL injury. Still, Bishop Gorman is on pace to capture their eighth-straight State Championship. Despite not playing a down this season, Hausman climbed the recruiting rankings quite a bit. He went from just inside the top 1000 to now being ranked No. 729 overall.
Braxton Burmeister thriving in playoffs
La Jolla Country Day has been on a tear in the playoffs thus far. The No. 5 seed Torreys will take on No. 3 seed Santana for the Division IV CIF San Diego Section Championship.
Through three playoffs games, Burmeister is 63-for-99 for 833 yards, eight touchdowns, and no interceptions. He also has 283 rushing yards on 33 carries and four touchdowns.
San Diego’s ALL-Time Career Passing Leader @Braxton1B Congrats my dude on passing for over 10,000 yards in your high school career. pic.twitter.com/1aJU9vy1ei
— TOP_DAWG® (@mbasports2) November 25, 2016
Tony Fields and Edgar Burrola capture Nevada 4A State Championship
A few weeks old, but while in the spirit of talking championships, it’s worth re-visiting. Desert Pines went on to win the Nevada 4A State Championship.
Tony Fields had three touchdowns for Desert Pines (46-yard reception, 17-yard reception, and a 1-yard rush). Edgar Burrola has been out with a shoulder injury.
Desert Pines beats Spring Creek 39-6 to win its first ever football state championship. #702hsfb pic.twitter.com/0Q123q6OtU
— Las Vegas Sun Sports (@lvsunsports) November 19, 2016
Garden City and Arizona Western square off for NJCAA Championship
Arizona currently has two junior college commitments in Matt Leo and Delshawn Phillips. The two will be playing for the NJCAA National Championship.
Phillips has had a standout season, leading the No. 1 ranked team in tackles with 84. Matt Leo has accumulated 17 tackles (6.5 for loss) and 3.5 sacks.
2016 NJCAA Championship Game – El Toro Bowl
#1 Garden City (10-0) vs. #2 Arizona Western (11-0)@NJCAA #BowlBid Day pic.twitter.com/I5xFqBsVVM— NJCAA (@NJCAA) November 15, 2016