Former Red Mountain coach and current San Tan Foothills assistant Jim Jones is expected to be Mesquite's new football coach.

Jim Jones heard a lot of “Why?” and “Are you crazy?” from his large family (among others), but it went in one ear and out the other.

It was pretty clear which team had the experience on the Mesquite football field Friday night.

With a 4-1 lead and 10 minutes to play in regulation, Mesquite appeared to have the third and final Fiesta Region seed for the upcoming 5A girls soccer state tournament locked up.

September 10, 2004

August 20, 2004

Intensity and emotion.

The fourth time was the charm for Hamilton High School junior Tommy Johns.

That's a wrap.

September 11, 2004

September 13, 2004

Overheard at a gas pump: A Mesa Dobson football player lamenting the fact that his team’s 2-0 start has rated no mention in the rankings.

Chaparral at Marcos de Niza

That's a wrap.

Get ready for a weird football season.

Get ready for a weird football season.

Westwood running back/ return specialist Channing Trotter, a key contributor for the Warriors last season, has transferred to Red Mountain for the 2004 season.

A day after his night to forget, senior quarterback Cole Pembroke went to the Phoenix Desert Vista coaches and floated the idea of staying on defense exclusively.

August 10, 2004

The world moves too fast these days to allow us much time for reflection, reminiscing or wishful thinking. It’s not what we’ve done, only what we’ve done lately.

The calisthenics and wind sprints that opened practice for Mesa Red Mountain’s football team Monday at 6 a.m. seemed as easy and pleasant as the first Monday of August.

Loyalty. It’s rare in high school football these days. It’s rare despite the best efforts of some coaches, schools and districts that still believe in its value. It’s not good enough to play for your neighborhood school anymore.

It’s hard to imagine the tradition-rich Mesa schools playing second fiddle to anyone in football. Of the past 24 biggest class titles, Mesa schools have won 13.

Jeremy Hathcock tries not to peek too far ahead on the schedule. But the Mesa Desert Ridge coach finds it hard to ignore the dizzying array of talented quarterbacks the Jaguars are about to face in Fiesta Region play. “It’s unbelievable isn’t it?” Hathcock said.