Statistics and information for Saturday's 5A-I state championship game
Hamilton vs. Mesa
When: 5 p.m. Saturday
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium
TV/Radio: None/KDUS (1060 AM)
Internet: AIA365.com
Records: Hamilton 13-0, Mesa 9-4
Last meeting: Hamilton 43, Mesa 22
Tickets: $8 for adults, $6 for high school students and younger, free for children age 5 and under
Three things to watch
- Hamilton’s running game vs. Mesa’s defense: The Jackrabbits have slowed down some powerful backs this postseason and will get another test this week facing off with Hamilton’s Zach Bauman and Michael Allen. The Jackrabbits have already had to face Derek Molina, Max Leonesio, Davon Jones and DeAndre Currie, so they know what they are up against, but if Mesa can’t contain Bauman and Allen, its chances to win are slim.
- Tevin Hood: Hamilton defensive lineman has racked up 101 tackles and 17 sacks this season. Mesa needs to run the ball to shorten this game, but heading Hood’s way could be trouble. If he wreaks havoc in the backfield all night, it could lead to turnovers and mistakes that would put Hamilton in the driver’s seat.
- Jaymen Green: He’s only 5-foot-8, 155 pounds but is second on the team in rushing, second in receiving and is tied for the team lead in tackles. Green is one of the spark plugs for the tenacious Jackrabbits, and a big play from him early, whether it be on offense, defense, or special teams, could change the complexion of the game.
Scouting the Huskies
Hamilton running backs Zach Bauman and Michael Allen have combined to rush for more than 2,500 yards and 37 touchdowns this season and are the key to the offense. The passing game isn’t spectacular, but quarterback Travis Dean can beat teams through the air if the box is stacked too heavily against the run. Defensive tackle Tevin Hood and safety Devon Carrington lead a stingy defense that hasn’t allowed a team to score more than 22 points in a game all year. The Huskies are coming off an impressive semifinal win over Chandler last week. Hamilton is attempting to become the first undefeated squad in school history and win its second consecutive 5A-I championship.
Hamilton offense
WR – Ethan Kipili’i
LT – Tyler Johnstone
LG – Gerard Ingallina
C – Saga Aiono
RG – Justin Lalonde
RT – Christian Westerman
TE – Zack Parrish
QB – Travis Dean
RB – Zach Bauman
RB – Michael Allen
WR – Steven Hanson
Hamilton defense
DE – Tevin Hood
DT – Keegan Merrigan
DT – Marcus Neuman
DE – Shaq Jenkins
LB – Davion Johnson
LB – Ben Peters
LB – Tyler Rutt
CB – Chaz Pullam
SS – Devon Carrington
FS – Nic Henson
CB – Cedric Parker
Hamilton special teams
K – Yannick Mets
P – Ben Peters
KR – Kendyl Taylor
PR – Ethan Kipili’i
Hamilton season stats
Passing
Name Comp Att Yds TD INT
Travis Dean 106 190 1,830 17 4
Kyren Poe 29 41 632 7 1
Rushing
Name Att. Yds Avg TD
Michael Allen 125 1,416 11.3 13
Zach Bauman 133 1,136 8.5 24
Receiving
Name Rec. Yds. TD
Steven Hanson 31 716 8
Zach Bauman 23 510 4
Ethan Kipili’i 22 305 3
Hamilton results
Date Opponent
8/27 Hamilton 73, St. Mary’s 15
9/4 Hamilton 48, Westview 10
9/11 Hamilton 70, Ironwood 0
9/17 Hamilton 49, Mountain Ridge 7
9/25 Hamilton 50, Desert Vista 13
10/2 Hamilton 24, Chandler 20
10/9 Hamilton 45, Salpointe 2
10/23 Hamilton 24, Brophy 21
10/30 Hamilton 44, Red Mountain 13
11/6 Hamilton 43, Mesa 22
11/13 Hamilton 59, North Canyon 14
11/20 Hamilton 37, Mesquite 13
12/4 Hamilton 49, Chandler 21
Scouting the Jackrabbits
Mesa’s defense has been its calling card all season. The Jackrabbits have held opponents to a touchdown or less seven times this season with a well-disciplined scheme and hard-hitting players. Mesa has given up more than 30 points only one time all season, but that was to Hamilton in a 43-22 loss. Offensively Mesa likes to run the ball with multiple backs, highlighted by diminutive speedster Jaymen Green and bruising back Devontae Kellybrew. Kyler Fackrell moved to wide receiver full time halfway through the season and is a go-to option on the outside. Tyler Ryan is one of the state’s best kickers and has the range to nail field goals from 45 to 50 yards out.
Mesa offense
WR – Kyler Fackrell
LT – Carlos Bellorin
LG – Chase Allen
C – Ishmael Guevara
RG - Tautalanoa Toutai
RT – Greg Hakes
TE – Brandon Ray
QB – Dallin Parker
FB – Devontae Kellybrew
RB – Jaymen Green
WR – Ely Lozano
Mesa defense
DE – Chase Allen
NT – Javier Gonzalez
DE – Kolter Anderson
LB – Devontae Kellybrew
LB – Koltn Rogers
LB – Tony Vaitafa
LB – Edwin Palacios
CB – Ely Lozano
SS – Jaymen Green
FS – Kyler Fackrell
CB – Tyler Ryan
Mesa special teams
K – Tyler Ryan
P – Tyler Ryan
KR – Jaymen Green
PR – Jaymen Green
Mesa season stats
Passing
Name Comp Att Yds TD INT
Dallin Parker 84 137 1,379 13 10
Rushing
Name Att. Yds Avg TD
Devontae Kellybrew 119 675 5.7 7
Jaymen Green 77 576 7.5 7
Asure McMillan 50 327 6.5 3
Receiving
Name Rec. Yds. TD
Kyler Fackrell 27 595 5
Devontae Kellybrew 25 292 4
Jaymen Green 21 409 4
Mesa results
Date Opponent
8/28 Mesa 21, Cesar Chavez 7
9/4 Mesa 42, Dobson 6
9/11 Mesa 28, Westwood 6
9/17 Chandler 24, Mesa 17
9/25 Red Mountain 28, Mesa 21
10/2 Mesa 28, Horizon 7
10/9 Mesa 19, Desert Vista 0
10/16 Brophy 26, Mesa 18
10/23 Mesa 52, Maryvale 0
11/6 Hamilton 43, Mesa 22
11/13 Mesa 37, Red Mountain 10
11/20 Mesa 13, Brophy 3
12/4 Mesa 14, Mountain Pointe 10
