By Don Ketchum

When he stepped to the podium at Wednesday’s news conference for the high school football championship games on Saturday, Glendale Cactus long-time coach Larry Fetkenhier had a few choice words for the media.

Fetkenhier’s team faces Scottsdale Saguaro at for the Division III title at Northern Arizona University’s Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff. Cactus (11-1) lost its only game of the season to Saguaro 62-24 during the fourth week.

“You guys say that there’s no reason for us to show up,’’ Fetkenhier said with a liberal dose of sarcasm.

Is the chasm between Saguaro (11-2) and Cactus as great as the previous score indicates?

Not as far as Cactus senior quarterback Mike Putko is concerned.

Putko said the Cobras have improved since that day.

“We have bonded together, we know our assignments better and we have chemistry,’’ he said.

“We are looking forward to trying to prove everyone wrong. Saguaro is a big, physical team. But we feel that if we execute our game plan, we have a chance.’’

The 6-foot, 188 pound Putko said his team has a good balance between running and passing the ball. When he does throw, he is doing so with more confidence.

He has been prolific for the Cobras, accounting for 40 touchdowns. He has rushed for 1,219 yards and 24 TDs and passed for 1,628 yards and 16 more TDs.

“I have improved on my reads (of the defenses), my passing progression (checking the different receivers) and I have more experience and poise,’ he said.