By: Jake Novy

In what very well might be the biggest high school football rivalry in Arizona, the defending state champion Desert Vista Thunder host the Mountain Pointe Pride in the annual Ahwatukee Bowl.  The AIA365.com Game of the Week pits two of the top teams in Division One against each other Friday night, come rain or shine.  And the rivalry is not afraid of the later.  In last year’s edition of the ‘Tukee Bowl at Mountain Pointe, DV came away with a 24-0 win in the rain-soaked, fiery contest that was called early.  The game was initially delayed due to lightning, but was ended after fights broke out in the stands.  Officially, Desert Vista won via forfeit.  According to the National Weather Service, some more showers could be in the forecast in this year’s edition as well.  Last year’s win for the Thunder snapped a two-game losing streak in the series.  A true rivalry is extremely even and this one couldn’t prove that point any more.  The last eight regular-season meetings are split 4-and-4.  Mountain Pointe won the only playoff matchup between the two sides in 2006.  The Pride rolled to a 34-18 victory in 2009 the last time this game was played at Desert Vista, but DV’s last home win over Mountain Pointe was in 2008.  These rivals have played in many meaningful games, but this year’s battle could take the cake as far as importance goes with both team’s looking fully capable of competing for a state title.

The Thunder know that feeling real well after winning the Division One state championship last season by snapping Hamilton’s 53-game winning streak in the lopsided victory.  Desert Vista has picked up right where they left off last season by winning two straight games to kick off its 2012 campaign.  The Thunder topped Palo Verde, 20-10, in the Sollenberger Classic to start the season on August 18^th at University of Phoenix Stadium.  They routed Mesa, 48-6, the next weekend and were off last Friday.  So, they have had two weeks to prepare for this game against the Pride.

Meanwhile, Mountain Pointe proved right out of the gates that they were someone to watch this season.  The Pride made a statement by upsetting last year’s state runner-up Hamilton, 17-14, in their home and season-opener on August 24^th.  They followed that up with a 56-7 victory versus Mesa last weekend.