Address: 1001 E. Knox Road, Tempe; Records: Desert Vista 3-3, 1-0 Central; Corona del Sol 3-3, 0-0; Gametime: 7:00 p.m.
Outlook:
Is it any surprise that the team that played two-time defending champion Hamilton the toughest all season sits atop the 5A Central? The Thunder got back to .500 last week on the backs of Avory Battle and Adrian Burks. Burks ran for 133 yards on six carries in a win over Marcos de Niza, while Battle ran it in from one yard out for the game-winning score late.
The Thunder will have their hands full, however, as a heavily depleted Corona squad rolled past Phoenix Goldwater last week. Just 28 Aztecs dressed — 10 were out with injuries — but coach Gary Venturo said about half of those players should be back.
Leading receiver Matt Mosley was held out for breaking team rules but will be back on the field against the Thunder. It’s senior lineman Robert Holbrook’s turn to sit this week. Holbrook was ejected from last week’s game after a skirmish with a Goldwater player, forcing him to miss this week’s matchup.
— Compiled by Les Willsey and Brett Fera
