FOOTBALL GAME OF THE WEEK: Cactus at Paradise Valley

Entering the season, Phoenix Paradise Valley (4-3, 2-0) was the nearly unanimous pick to rule 4A-II football after moving down from 4A-I with a loaded offensive backfield.
Prep prognosticators had a sound theory — but may have picked the wrong team. Cactus (6-1, 2-0), who also moved down from 4A-I and was seen as a dark horse in the preseason, has made the transition more smoothly.
“It’s the biggest challenge we’ve had all year,” Paradise Valley coach Donnie Yantis said. “We’ve played (Cottonwood) Mingus and (Scottsdale) Notre Dame Prep. On film, Cactus is the most talented team we’ve seen.”
Friday night, these newcomers face off at Paradise Valley, 3950 E. Bell Road, to determine who controls the Black Canyon Region.
Paradise Valley started off at No. 1, fell off the radar completely with consecutive losses to Notre Dame, Cave Creek Cactus Shadows and Mingus and righted itself with a big victory against Phoenix Greenway.
Cactus has been more consistent, defeating solid playoff teams Peoria, Queen Creek and Scottsdale Coronado and losing only to 4A-I powerhouse Scottsdale Saguaro. The Cobras have been consistent in the rankings too, never rising above the No. 4 spot, despite their solid start against quality opponents.
“I don’t think that Cactus has gotten much love,” coach Larry Fetkenhier said. “If you look at our body of work over the course of seven games, I don’t think we have to apologize to anybody.”
In the end the only ratings that matter are the AIA power rankings, and both teams want to move up in Arizona’s most balanced classification. Cactus enters the game fifth in the power rankings, while Paradise Valley is tied for 10th with Notre Dame.
The game with so much on the line will likely be won along the lines. Both teams have powerful running games, with ball carriers that have the speed to score on long runs and the strength to control the clock on time-consuming drives.
Cactus senior Allan Woods is the state’s leading rusher, with an average of 231.7 yards per game. Woods has 19 touchdowns, including four scores from 57 or more yards out in last week’s 74-34 blitz of Phoenix Thunderbird.
Quarterback Brody Ray is another home-run threat for the Cobras. In the last two games, Ray has scored on runs of 62 and 67 yards.
Despite having a senior quarterback bound for Hawaii next year, Kevin Spain, the Trojans only throw about 15 times per game.
Paradise Valley’s offense is in the hands of two 220-pound senior backs. Tyree Parker (139 yards per game and 13 touchdowns) and Jake Brown (126 yards per game and seven touchdowns) form arguably the best duo in the state.
“Their backs are phenomenal,” Fetkenhier said. “They run hard and they keep their feet moving. There’s not many times where they get hit and get driven back. When they get hit they still go forward, and to me that’s the sign of a good back.”
Parker and Brown will have a large stake in the game, because of Cactus’ advantage in depth. The Cobras do not have any two-way players. Conversely, many of Paradise Valley’s best players see extensive time on both sides and will wear down faster if Cactus can control the ball.
“Whoever doesn’t turn the ball over more and comes out hitting and being more physical will most likely win the game,” Woods said.
Both squads are at full strength, after key early season injuries factored into their losses.
Ray was knocked out at the end of the Peoria game and missed two full games, including the loss to Saguaro. Backup Anthony Triassi attempted only six passes in each of his two starts, and the Cobras had to pare down the playbook considerably with Ray out.
Paradise Valley’s loss was even more damaging. Brown left early in the Notre Dame loss and missed the next two defeats before returning for the Greenway game. He also plays linebacker and is the Trojan’s kicker.
More than that, Brown is Paradise Valley’s leader and a steadying force.
“When Jake’s back, we’re a different football team, mentally more than physically,” Yantis said. “He’s really the heart of this program.”