Outlook: The Falcons played it safe last week, losing to Payson while trying to rest some of their banged up starters.
That move was made with tonight’s game in mind, as the two heavyweights in the West Region meet to decide the likely region champ. Fountain Hills will be without running back D.J. Morris, who is expected to miss another two weeks with a fractured foot. In his place, Cameron Estes will get most of the carries at fullback. Two other players, tight end Ernesto Romo and center Shea Ruppert, will be in the lineup tonight after recovering from injuries.
The 3A top-ranked Wranglers will be looking to avenge a loss to the Falcons last year and have most of their key players returning from a team that reached the semifinals a year ago. Quarterback Drew Vaughan has passed for 826 yards and 10 touchdowns and running back Scott McKeever has 832 yards and 12 touchdowns.
For the Falcons to have a chance, they’ll need to hold McKeever well below his 9.8 yards per carry average and make some of the other Wranglers do the work. Offensively, Fountain Hills will need to pass the ball effectively and hope for some big plays, but the Wickenburg defense has given up just 32 points all season.
Fountain Hills at Wickenburg
Address: 1090 S. Vulture Mine Road, Wickenburg
Records: Fountain Hills 4-2, 2-0 West; Wickenburg 6-0, 3-0
Last year’s meeting: Fountain Hills 19, Wickenburg 6
