Logan Brown is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Saguaro High School for AZPreps365.com

Scottsdale’s Saguaro football team will travel to California, to take on undefeated Sierra Canyon Friday night. 

Fresh off a blowout 41-9 win against Shadow Ridge, the Sabercats are looking to carry that momentum over to this out-of-state matchup. Saguaro is led by senior quarterback Mason Bray, who has tossed 12 touchdown passes to just one interception in four games this season. After a narrow loss in the rematch of the Arizona Open Division championship game last season against Basha, Bray is aiming to show that Saguaro can win high-profile matchups against teams like Sierra Canyon.

“It’s a very good chance for us to prove ourselves as a team,” Bray said. “One of the top teams in California, bunch of athletes and a huge line. It’s a very good test for our program.” 

New head coach Zak Hill awarded Bray the starting quarterback job this offseason, and Bray never looked back. Hill raved about Bray’s versatility on offense and limiting turnovers. 

“[Bray’s] tough, he’s competitive,” Hill said. “He can do it in the air, he’ll scramble and do it with his legs as well. He’s doing a good job of taking care of the football, and he’s been efficient for us.” 

The Sabercats are up against their toughest test yet in California’s third-ranked Sierra Canyon. The Trailblazers’ defense has stifled opponents to just 6.75 points per game so far this season, led by senior defensive lineman Carnell Ferguson with eight sacks. 

The Sabercats and Trailblazers last met in Scottsdale two seasons ago, when Saguaro won 24-7. Players like running back Jaedon Matthews and linebacker Trey Morrison were key contributors in the victory, and Hill thinks their veteran experience could provide a boost to the team Friday night. 

“Every year is different,” Hill said. “You’ve got new guys and the veterans that have been through it a little bit, so it’s a lot easier for them. So, Jaedon Matthews, Trey Morrison, those guys who have played a lot of ball, I’m sure they’ll feel comfortable going on the road and getting after it.” 

Morrison, who tallied four tackles and a tackle for loss in the 2021 matchup, expressed how important the finer details are in a big-time matchup on the road. 

“Just the little things,” Morrison said. “They make a big difference. We definitely have some personnels focusing on their key players, so we feel really prepared.”  

Hill is excited to take the program on the road for another test against a team with similar championship expectations. He said the upcoming matchup has a “college feel” as a true, out-of-state road game. Sierra Canyon and Saguaro both fell just short of the prized state championship trophy in their respective states last season. The Sabercats lost in the title game to Basha, while Sierra Canyon came up short in the semifinals of the CIF State Division 1-AA Southern California Regional to eventual champion Lincoln. 

“Sierra Canyon will be a very good challenge for us,” Hill said. “Just having that high-level game out of state and getting that whole feel of a college road trip is pretty fun.” 

Hill expressed a desire for the team to play “fast and physical, be aggressive, and play confident.” Bray echoed his coach’s wishes by calling on his receivers to win their matchups. 

“Our one-on-ones, we have to win this week,” Bray said. “Our outside receivers Jakobi Spence, Mason Whitaker, they should be a very big factor in the game on Friday.” 

Saguaro plays Sierra Canyon at 7 p.m. PT Friday at Sierra Canyon Stadium in Chatsworth, Calif.