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Sunnyside defenders push out Ironwood Ridge's Christopher Carlson (11) on a quarterback keeper in the their first meeting.

RENEE BRACAMONTE / Tucson Citizen

H.S. FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS:

Sunnyside (9-2) at Ironwood Ridge (8-3) – When: 7 p.m. Friday – Where: 2475 W. Naranja Drive


Motivated Devils ready to retest Hawks'defense



GEOFF GRAMMER
Tucson Citizen

When Ironwood Ridge shocked perennial Tucson football power Sunnyside 15-14 on Oct. 26, it did three things.

First, the Nighthawks put themselves in a position to clinch the 5A Southern-II Region title the following week and secure the No. 4 seed in the Class 5A Division II playoffs.

Second, the entire state began to take notice of what may be the best defense in the state.

Third, the aura of invincibility, at least in southern Arizona, surrounding the Blue Devils is gone.

Now the role of underdog and favorite have shifted for Friday's rematch at Ironwood Ridge in the 5A-II quarterfinals.

"I'd say they'd have to be the favorite," said Sunnyside coach Richard Sanchez, "because of where it is and what happened the first time."

Even if it is self-inflicted, No. 5 Sunnyside will be playing this week with a rather large chip on its shoulder. The Oct. 26 loss came without the
services of starting quarterback Jamie Valdez for disciplinary reasons and a week after forfeiting a game for use of an ineligible player.

"I think they feel that have something to prove now," Sanchez said. "Even if they don't come out and talk about it, I get that sense."

But Ironwood Ridge doesn't want to hear the only reason the Nighthawks won was because Sunnyside played without its quarterback.

"(Sunnyside's Jovan Steven-son) is who we build our defensive game plan around," Ironwood Ridge coach Gary Minor said. "He's their all-state caliber running back, and their strengths are him and a very tough offensive line."

Stevenson scored on runs of 80 and 29 yards in the Oct. 26 loss. But Ironwood Ridge held Sunnyside's normally-potent offense to just 61 yards rushing the rest of the game.

Ironwood Ridge defensive tackle Ben Swarts said his team thought it left points out on the field.

"We had a lot of mistakes. We could have scored probably another two times," he said.

> No. 5 Sunnyside (9-2) at No. 4 Ironwood Ridge (8-3)
> No. 14 Prescott (7-4) at No. 6 Canyon del Oro (10-1)
> No. 5 Prescott Valley Bradshaw Mountain (8-4) at No. 4 Santa Rita (10-1)