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yuma CathOliC lOOks tO get baCk On tOp in 3a previOus ObstaCles Out Of the way, but must prepare fOr new Ones
By Andy Morales AZPreps365
The rule for inclusion into the Open Division only allows for 4A, 5A and 6A teams to take part. If not for that rule, one might think 3A power Yuma Catholic just might have sneaked into the highest bracket with a power rating of over 19. In fact, only Chandler (24.6), Salpointe Catholic (21.4) and Desert Edge (19.8) enter the postseason with higher ratings. Granted, the level of competition is a bit higher at those levels, but the Shamrocks enter the playoffs with a perfect 8-0 record. One of only six teams from 3A to 6A to do so.
The Shamrocks won state championships in 2011, 2013 and 2014, and that era of dominance started with a run- ner-up finish in 2010 to Northwest Christian. The 2012 edi- tion lost to eventual state champion Northwest Christian 21-17 in the semifinal round. The Crusaders also knocked the Shamrocks out in the 2015 quarterfinals, the 2018 title game (40-37 in triple overtime), and once again 37-34 in the quarterfinal round last year.
There’s a new landscape at the 3A level this fall with 2019 state runner-up Benjamin Franklin competing in the 4A Conference along with American Leadership Academy – Queen Creek and Yuma Catholic playoff nemesis Northwest Christian. Tucson power Sabino did not play enough games to qualify, so the Sabercats are also not part of the 3A equa- tion this year.
With Northwest Christian (5-2) taking up the No. 6 spot in the 4A playoffs the Shamrocks appear to be the heavy favorites in the 3A race, especially as the top seed and the team will host No. 8 Thatcher (5-3). Leading the charge for the Shamrocks is sophomore QB Richard Stallworth. Stall- worth has 3,122 yards passing with 41 touchdowns in only 8 games.
Stallworth is ranked No. 19 nationally for passing yards and No. 2 for yards per game (390.3) right behind Ty Thom- spon of Mesquite (413.8). Stallworth is also No. 12 nation- ally for TD passes. Jr. RB Devon Black has 317 yards rushing with 4 TDs and he also caught 29 passes for 444 yards and 3 TDs. Jr. WR Austin Rush caught 34 passes for 722 yards and 13 TDs and Jr. WR Mario Martinez pulled in 26 passes for 564 yards and 10 TDs. Jr. LB Dezmend Esquivel collected 73 tackles and So. LB Jarred Marquez added 63 tackles with 5 sacks. Rush and Martinez have 3 interceptions each.
No. 2 Snowflake (7-1) is hosting No. 7 Phoenix Chris- tian (5-3) with the Lobos dropping their only game to No. 6 Round Valley on Oct. 30. The Lobos lost to Benjamin Frank- lin in the semifinal round last year and the team is sure to be ready this fall. Jr. QB Caden Cantrell threw for 1,395 yards and 13 TDs, Sr. RB Terren Green rushed for 499 yards and 8 TDs, Sr. RB Mayson McKinlay rushed for 313 yards, Jr. WR Noah Baum caught 18 passes for 410 yards and 6 TDs, Mayson McKinlay collected 776 all purpose yards, Sr. LB Rev Brimhall collected 74 tackles, Green added 65 tackles, Jr. LB Camden Brimhall had 53 tackles and Sr. DE Payson Cardon had 51 tackles with 10 sacks. Sr. Ryson Stuart had five inter- ceptions for Snowflake.
No. 3 ALA-Gilbert North (7-1) is hosting Round Valley. Sr. QB Jack Ricedorff has 1,661 yards passing with 20 TDs to lead the Eagles. Jr. SB Spencer Neilson had 282 yards rush- ing with 7 TDs, Jr. WR Johnny Bellino caught 31 passes for 584 yards and 7 TDs and Fr. WR Brandon Phelps pulled in 27 passes for 447 yards and 3 TDs. Neilson also had 58 tackles and 3 interceptions, Jr. LB Corbin King had 47 tackles and SR. DE Crew White had 43 tackles with 7 sacks.
No. 4 Pusch Ridge (7-1) is hosting No. 5 Wickenburg (5-2) and the Lions are led by first-year coach Kent Middleton. Jr. QB Ryan Fontaine had 659 passing with 8 TDs, Hayden Hal- lett threw for 573 yards and 4 TDs, Sr. RB Evan Lovett rushed for 1,291 yards and 15 TDs, Jr. Javier Grajeda rushed for 438 yards with 8 TDs. Jr. WR Jayden Rittenbach caught 24 passes for 459 yards and 5 TDs, So. LB Tyler Mustain had 63 tackles with 5.5 sacks and Sr. LB Cannon Jewell had 46 tackles as did Jr. LB Christian Cromwell. Sr. LB Phillip Raica had 5.5 sacks.
Sophomore Richard Stallworth (pictured here from his freshman year) comes from a long line of potent Yuma Catholic quarter- backs. (Mark Jones photo/MaxPreps)
 























































































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