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

Saguaro earned a big 28-6 senior night win over Pinnacle Friday night in Scottsdale to wrap up the season with some momentum toward the playoffs.

The Sabercats (5-5) had some extra energy from the start as families joined the athletes on the field for a lengthy celebration of the team’s 21 graduating members. After an incredible rendition of the national anthem from senior receiver Machoni Norton with an electric guitar, the Saguaro sideline erupted, kicking off a contest in which Saguaro’s celebrated seniors shined the brightest. 

The story of the night was the connection between two senior Sabercats: quarterback Mason Bray and receiver Jaci Dickerson. 

On the opening drive, Bray marched the offense down the field before uncorking a 45-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Dickerson to take an early 7-0 lead. Dickerson finished the night catching all five of his targets for 100 yards and two scores. 

Head coach Zak Hill marveled at Dickerson’s knack for the big play. 

“Jaci’s an electric guy,” Hill said. “When he’s on the field, either offense or defense or returning stuff for us, he’s got that ability to hit the gas and go.” 

Dickerson said the senior night festivities had an impact on his performance on the field. 

“Put my heart and soul into this last game,” Dickerson said. “Especially for our last game on senior night, I just wanted to ball out for my boys.” 

After the opening drive, the game became a defensive battle. Saguaro forced punts on each of Pinnacle’s first two drives of the game before allowing a short field goal that put the Pioneers on the board. The Sabercats had a chance to increase their lead before halftime, but an interception in the red zone from Bray sent both teams to the locker room with the Sabercats in front, 7-3. 

Coming out of the break, Saguaro leaned heavily on Bray’s arm to move the ball down the field. After a 19-yard completion to tight end Kamden Segall, Bray found Dickerson again. Dickerson caught the ball in the middle of the field before cutting the defense in half with a juke and dashing for the 19-yard score.  

Hill said Pinnacle’s early defensive success forced the coaching staff to adjust during the break.

“Pinnacle did a good job trying to stop the run and putting a cap on that early on,” Hill said. “We knew that we needed to get the ball to our playmakers in different ways. You’ve just got to try to adjust in the game and just see what they’re giving you. That seemed to be some perimeter stuff, trying to get our guys to the edge. You’ve just got to try and find ways to score points and win.” 

After Pinnacle responded with a field goal, Bray went back to work, leading Saguaro on a 10-play, 83-yard drive that culminated in a seven-yard touchdown pass from Bray to Segall midway through the fourth quarter.  

Bray completed 19 of 26 passes for 228 yards and three touchdowns to just one interception, while adding 55 more yards on the ground. After missing several weeks with a foot injury, Bray said he finally felt like himself on the field. 

“Coming back, sitting out a couple weeks just messed me up,” Bray said. “I just felt really comfortable tonight. Just those first two games when I came back [against Liberty and Salpointe Catholic], we lost both and scored 17 points in two games. Now I feel like everything is coming back together. I’m getting back into the groove and getting more comfortable.” 

Senior running back Jaedon Matthews found the end zone in the final seconds to seal the Sabercats’ 28-6 victory over Pinnacle on their home turf. After the game, Bray and Hill said they are looking forward to competing in the playoffs despite a challenging regular season. 

“I love where our team is headed,” Bray said. “I love where we are as a team. I mean, we’re 5-5. No Saguaro team has ever been down like this, ever. We said … who cares what everybody says. We’re just going to go out there and play the best we can for every game. Whoever we play, whatever tournament we’re in, we are going to try and make the best of it.” 

“We’re just trying to stay focused on each week,” Hill said. “Obviously there’s been a lot of ups and downs and a lot of adversity. It’s great to get back in the win column, especially going into the playoffs where you can get a little bit of momentum, create some energy, and then you never know where that takes you.” 

Saguaro was awarded the No. 3 seed in the 6A playoffs and will host No. 14 Queen Creek in the first round on Friday.