Peaking Sunnyside poses final obstacle for Cactus

Richard Obert
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 6, 2003 12:00 AM


It has been a long journey for Glendale Cactus. Sixteen years to be exact.

Bubba Bradley, Mike Phillips and Nigel Ricks were just out of diapers when the Cobras last reached the Class 4A football final.

Now they're leading a Cobras team looking to make history.

They can win their first football state championship today against a young, determined Tucson Sunnyside team that is oozing with confidence after hammering top-ranked Scottsdale Chaparral 16-7 last week.

The 4A final kicks off at noon at Sun Devil Stadium.

"We're not doing it by mirrors," said Larry Fetkenhier, hoping his 20th season as Cactus coach is magical. "We got some guys who can play the game."

This is Fetkenhier's third state final. He's 0-2.

Sunnyside coach Richard Sanchez is 1-1 in state title games, his last coming in 2001, when Sunnyside beat Greenway in the title game. That was the season the Blue Devils lost early to Scottsdale Saguaro, then got revenge against the unbeaten Sabercats in the semifinals.

This year, the Blue Devils (11-2) lost to Chaparral 41-14 early in the year before their stunning semifinal upset against a team that was averaging 55 points a game. Sunnyside gave up 76 points in its first two games, both losses, and 77 points in the last 11.

"We're not big, but we're quick," Sanchez said.

That has caught the eye of the Cactus players.

"They don't match up in size," said Bradley, a triple threat as a passer, runner and kicker. "But when you have speed, size really doesn't matter. They've got the speed, and they know what to do. They stopped Chaparral. They've got something going on good over there."

The Blue Devils rely on a punishing running game, with tailback Xavier Smith getting most of the reps. Quarterback Jaime Cota has only thrown 171 passes, but he is dangerous on the run. Both of his second-half touchdown passes last week came after he eluded defenders on broken plays.

For years, Cactus (12-1) has had an Arena Football League-like reputation of simply trying to outscore opposing teams with a big-play offense. It hasn't completely shaken that image this year, giving up 25 and 28 points in a pair of meetings with Peoria Centennial.

"They bend but don't break," Sanchez said. "Washington and Centennial ran the ball on them. It seems when they have to get tough, they will."

Cactus is noted for outstanding quarterback play, and Bradley (15 passing TDs, 11 rushing TDs) is among its best. He is an even better kicker, though, with 17 field goals, including a 58-yarder. Ricks has run for 1,595 yards and 16 touchdowns.

The defense is led by senior middle linebacker Phillips, the Wells Fargo Region Defensive Player of the Year; and outside linebacker Tyler Schmitt, who has 19 sacks.