Kooper Holman is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Saguaro High School for AZPreps365. 

One step forward, two steps back has been the story for Saguaro to begin the 2022 season.

This was the message Saguaro head coach John Mohns told his players following a disappointing 26-17 loss to the undefeated Liberty Lions on Friday night.

“We’re taking steps forward, but tonight, its no more moral victories," he said. "We have to stop kicking ourselves.”

Saguaro's rough start has included losses to Bergen Cathloic, the New Jersey state champion, the Chandler Wolves, and now the 4-0 Liberty Lions, who have lived up to the hype so far this season.

After only allowing 14 points three games, Liberty’s defense continued its dominant play, sending a message with an opening drive stop that showed its would be as good as advertised.

With a fired up sideline, the high-powered Liberty offense took the field and immediately showed how explosive they have been all season. Liberty quarterback Navi Bruzon started the scoring by connecting with wide receiver Jaqua Anderson for a 68-yard touchdown that put the Lions up, 7-0. 

After the shaky first drive, Saguaro (2-3) answered the Liberty score with a 19-yard field goal by James Hall. The running back duo of Zaccheus Cooper and Jaedon Matthews found success on the ground as Saguaro would feature the two talented backs throughout the game.

Momentum swung towards Saguaro after a fourth down stop at midfield. The short field led to quarterback Devon Dampier finding wide receiver Mason Whitaker for 26-yard completion to put the Sabercats in the red zone.

Dampier would find the sophomore receiver once again, this time for an 11-yard touchdown pass putting Saguaro up 10-7 to begin the second quarter.

Liberty and Bruzon answered the Saguaro score with a 25-yard touchdown pass which put the Lions back on top, 13-10, with four minutes to go in the first half. 

After a clean quarter and a half of football, Saguaro began to unravel as the first half came to a close.

A costly fumble from the Sabercats offense set up a Bruzon’s third touchdown pass of the half, this one to wide receiver Prince Zombo to put Liberty up 19-10 at the end of the first half.

After back-to-back stops by both teams to begin the second half, Saguaro found life with a Mikey Preston fumble recovery that set the Sabercat offense in the red zone.

Dampier found the end zone with a short rushing touchdown on fourth down. Saguaro trailed, 19-17, with two minutes to go in the third.

As the fourth quarter began, Liberty’s offense looked to put the finishing touches on its fourth win of the season. The Lions controlled the clock and finished off their eight-minute drive with a touchdown to cement the win over the defending state champs.

Following the tough loss, the vibe around Saguaro hasn’t changed.

“Our vibe is okay right now,” said senior receiver Deric English. who finished with three receptions for 33 yards. “As a leader, I need to keep all the guys up and it’s hard on me too, but it’s all about staying strong. A game’s a game, win or loss, you still need to stay positive through everything.”

Dampier preached about how the long-term goals are still intact for Saguaro.

“There’s always adversity but it’s how you respond,” Dampier said. “We might have had a tough start to the year but this season is far from over and we believe we’re just getting started.”

Sitting at 2-3, this wasn’t the start Saguaro was expecting following their championship run last season. Nonetheless, with five games left on the schedule, Saguaro has time to right the ship and start playing the kind of winning football Mohns has instilled into this program.

The Sabercats will face Desert Edge Scorpions at home next Friday at 7 p.m.