BY PETE MOHR | SEPTEMBER 7, 2011
Outnumbered, outsized – but not outfought – Falcons lose to Pinnacle, 49-31, in “Duel in the Desert” inaugural
‘Birds fly home to host Bradshaw Mountain, Friday, Sept. 9, 7 p.m. kickoff
Quad-Captain Bryce Kinsler (far l.) called, “Heads” – and heads it was. Falcons won the coin toss – and eventually, a “moral victory” against the heavily-favored Division 1 Pioneers. Kinsler’s fellow quad-captains (l-r) Landon Weaver, Tommy Pritchard and “R.J” Anderson gave solid performances in the Falcons’ second straight road game. Let’s hear it (sarcasm intended) for the A.I.A.’s scheduling computers!
Photos by Pete Mohr
“To the victor belonged the spoils!” – or something like that. Postgame, Pinnacle RB/DB Evan Tompkins displays the “Duel in the Desert Cup,” donated by the PHSFootball Boosters. The Cup will be awarded to the winner of the “Duel in the Desert,” hopefully to continue as an annual “rivalry” game beween the Falcons and the Pioneers. The Cup will “reside” with the winning school for the ensuing year.
“The Nest” (CSHS student section) was, once again, filled to capacity. Now that’s “Falcon Pride”! Head Coach Greg Davis to Sonoran News: “To have those ‘Falcon Fanatics’ in ‘The Nest’ is huge for the school and our football program! Tell ‘em how much our players and coaches appreciate their support. They were still cheering us on at the end of the game.” This writer wishes he were young enough to sit in “The Nest.”
My father often encouraged, “Old friends are best.” And it was an enjoyable surprise to see “old friends” 1985-2002 CSHS Head Football Coach Gerry Labelle (r) and former Falcon Assistant Coach Vinny Ciliberti at the Pinnacle game. If there’s a “Godfather of Falcon Football,” it has to be Gerry Labelle. Two of Cili-beti’s sons, RB Craig [CSHS ‘04] and WR Mark were Football Falcons.
Against the Pioneers, September 2, were “Falcon Fighters” (front, l-r) Connor Folts (27-yard field goal, four P.A.T.s, five catches for 56 yards) ); Matt Hartlen (scored 1st Falcon TD on an 18-yard pass/run from Kinsler, one INT); “R.J.” Anderson, two rushing TDs, one INT; Connor Cozen (12 catches for 222 yards, one TD reception from Kinsler, one INT); (back, l-r) Tommy Pritchard (seven tough receptions for 150 yards); Nick Molchan (two fumble recoveries); Kinsler (30 of 57 for 461 yards, two TDs, three INTS); Ashton Keown, Sonoran News “Defensive Player of the Game” with 12 tackles and 12 assists. Great effort, Guys! BY PETE MOHR | SEPTEMBER 7, 2011
Harriers strong at September 3rd meet
Cross Country Falcons ran to a solid start in a 20-team field, Saturday morning, Sept. 3, at the Sole Sports Running Zone Festival over Scottsdale’s Silverado Golf Club course. Girls finished 7th; Boys, 9th. Falcon medalists were (l-r) Boys Tri-Captain David Tze, Ethan Homan, Keith Durkin, Girls Co-Captain Jenny Gormley, Terri Baker and Dani Zalewski. Congratulations on successfully braving the early morning heat!
BY PETE MOHR | SEPTEMBER 7, 2011
CSHS Math Chair Mark O’Bryan succeeds “retiring” Mike Sarraino as Girls Golf Head Coach
Coach O’Bryan: “I’m lucky to be coaching a group of hard-working young ladies. We’re all going to get better – and have fun doing it!”
Head Coach Mark O’Bryan , Captain Laurie Snyder 
Plenty of spirit in these Lady Falcon Golfers! After their August 19 win over Arcadia at Rancho Manana Golf Club (l-r) Jade Hall (FR), Jamie Frederick (JR), Abbie Cantwell (FR), Joanna Richardson (SO), Captain Snyder (SR), Michelle Hugo (FR), Victoria Grovich (FR), Lexie Scherr-Thoss (JR). Allright, Falcon fans! For a free Falcons Athletic Club hot dog (grilled by head chef Mike Noell) at the next home football game, name the two “winningest” head coaches in CSHS history. And the answers are … Cheer’s Rika Cuff and Girls Golf’s Mike Sarraino. Last February, Cheer won their sixth consecutive State Champion- ship; and in his eight seasons as head coach of Girls Golf, Sarraino mentored his Lady Falcons to four State Championships and one runner-up finish.
At the beginning of the current school year, Sarraino, who’ll continue as a guidance counsellor at Cactus Shadows “retired” from coaching to spend more time with his lovely family: wife, Jill (Albertsen) and their two children, Joey, 4, and Ellie, 2. Congratulations, “Coach Mike”!
Longtime teacher and current Math chairperson Mark O’Bryan, also a respected official at Student Council-sponsored “Powder Puff Football,” has the golf experience, enthusiasm and good humor to take on the formidable challenge of succeeding Coach Sarraino. Good luck to “Coach Mark” and his LadyBirds!
With the 2011 Lady Falcons rostering only one senior (Captain Laurie Snyder), promising seasons are surely ahead for Girls Golf. “Fore!”
