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

Heading into the final week of the regular season, the Saguaro Sabercats (1-9) faced off against the Pinnacle Pioneers (7-3) in a non-conference matchup on Friday. Nov. 8. 

The Sabercats knew this regular season finale was their last game of the year, but they still looked to end on a strong note.

"The message was to just come out and fight,” Saguaro head coach Darius Kelly said. “For our seniors, this was their last ride, and we knew that.’ We just want to come out and play hard, play our game and just kind of relax.”

They received the kickoff and were able to get the ground game early and often. On a big third-down play, junior quarterback Marcel Jones made a crucial mistake, throwing an interception that ultimately ended up being a pick-six. 

Saguaro's offense struggled throughout the game on third-down, going a mere 30% conversion rate.

The Pioneers' offense took advantage of these costly mistakes as they were able to put up 21 points by the end of the first quarter.  

Heading into the second quarter, the Sabercats had no answer for the Pioneers' offense, which added 14 more to extend their lead to 34-6 entering halftime.

Kelly had different plans for his team instead of allowing them to just give up and not go out in the second half with something to prove. 

While the score might’ve not shown it, this team came out looking to just piece together a couple of good plays in a row, offensively and defensively, to give themselves a chance at a comeback. 

Defensively, the Sabercats were able to put together strong efforts as they were able to get multiple stops on fourth down, sacks, and tackles for loss in crucial times to give their offense a chance to go down and score to trim the deficit. 

This Sabercats team might’ve not had the season like their previous title-contending teams, but the bond and chemistry were seen not only throughout this game but throughout the season. 

“They mean everything to me,” Jones said. “Losing nine games is tough on anybody, but they’re just there keeping my head up and they keep their heads up too.”

Teams go through many ups and downs throughout a season many times. The teams that succeed, whether it’s on the field or not, are the ones that find success on the field in the future. 

Just like every year, high school teams lose players to graduation at the end of the season as the seniors say goodbye and move on to their next chapter. With that, those guys are the role models for the younger players that are going to fill their shoes. 

Senior defensive end Garrett Martin was not only a leader on that side of the ball, but an emotional leader overall.

“Definitely just take the offseason, work serious, just get in the weight room,” Martin said. “Just think about this season and use it as strength.”

Going into next year, this Sabercats team will have new pieces and experience to possibly improve and help them find a way back to the playoffs after winning the 6A conference title last season.