Don Ketchum
Former Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

Memo to 5A-I teams: Watch out for Desert Ridge

October 15, 2010 by Don Ketchum, AZPreps365

"=""> Whichever team plays Mesa Desert Ridge in the first round of the Class 5A Division I playoffs is going to have its hands full, especially if the Jaguars play the way they did on Friday night.
"=""> Desert Ridge stayed calm and collected under fire, recording a 44-22 East Valley Region victory over host Phoenix Mountain Pointe.
"=""> There were several outstanding individual efforts for Desert Ridge.
"=""> Start with junior quarterback Parker Rasmussen, who completed 13 of 23 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 52 yards and a touchdown.
"=""> “He seemed to get better as the game went along,’’ said Desert Ridge coach Jeremy Hathcock.
"=""> Rasmussen appears to be able to roll out and take the ball around the end or get himself into a position to throw with equal efficiency.
"=""> His favorite target was another junior, Jordan Becerra, who caught seven passes for 71 yards and a TD.