After 27 consecutive wins, the Sabercats dropped their Week 2 matchup to the Liberty Patriots in Henderson, Nevada 51-20, and their home opener Week 3 bout to the East (Utah) Leopards 35-14.  

The Patriots are the second-best team in Nevada, and the Leopards are the 13th best team in the nation.

“We wanted to schedule a couple of the top teams in the country,” Coach Jason Mohns said. “We got kicked in the teeth, but it was a wakeup call.”

The Knights have started 2-0, winning their first two at a combined score of 124-14 against two Division IV opponents, and are one of early favorites to win the Division IV state title.

Last season, Saguaro defeated Higley 49-14, with five of their seven touchdowns coming on the ground.

With the Knights returning most of their starters, this year’s matchup should be much closer on the scoreboard.

“Higley is a good team coming in and it’s our chance to reestablish ourselves as the team to beat, right now were not. It might be Higley or Salpointe or one of the other teams in 4A until we start winning some games and beating some good teams,” said Mohns.

The Knights have a massive spread offensive attack, led by dual-threat quarterback Spencer Brasch and slot receiver James Mageo.

This is Brasch’s first season as the starting quarterback, and out of his seven touchdown passes this season, four of them have been to Mageo.

“I’m sure they’re going to spread it out and throw the ball a lot,” linebacker Clayton Randall said. “We’re going to have to stop the run first and then read our keys on defense.”

Four out of the five starting offensive lineman in the 2016 season graduated this past year, and with such a young team, senior Massingale is ready to lead the Sabercats to another title.

“I think being a leader for the whole team helps because those guys are young guys, as well as some of our players on defense,” Massingale said. “Having a strong senior class of leadership is going to build and they feed off that.”

Higley has been notable for their size and physicality, but with their backs against the ropes, the only thing on the Sabercats’ mind is a victory.