BY PETE MOHR | SEPTEMBER 14, 2011

Pre-game spirit innovations not enough to hold off Bradshaw Mountain

As 0-3 Falcons seek to regroup at 3-0 Queen Creek, Bryce Kinsler leading all Arizona quarterbacks in total passing yards

“Protectors of Bryce”: In 148 passing attempts, QB Bryce Kinsler has been sacked only six times. The Falcon “O-Line” responsible for that impressive statistic: (l-r) RT Dylan Hasse (JR), RG Colby Brown (SR), Center Saul Monteon (SR), LG Landon Weaver (SR), LT Nate Covert (SO); (standing) the versatile Kyle Hajek (JR), the invaluable “Sixth Man” who can play all three OL positions.
Photo by Pete Mohr


CSHS – They say, “Lightning never strikes twice in the same place.” Yeah, right. Last Friday night, September 2, at Falcon Stadium, there were two “lightning” bolts: the first occurred with only 19 seconds left in the 2nd quarter, when Bradshaw Mountain quarterback Tyler Audsley struck for a 75-yard touchdown run off a scramble, eluding three groups of Falcon would-be tacklers that left the HomeBirds “chasing 14” (Head Coach Greg Davis’s descriptive term), 21-35, at halftime.

The second, at approximately 9:15 p.m., was real-live and much-too-close, plunging Falcon Stadium into total darkness until 10 p.m., when play was resumed to complete the final six minutes. Thankfully (and I mean that), no players or spectators were injured – or killed. An unthinkable disaster could’ve taken place. This writer shall formally opine to the A.I.A. that the decision to suspend play in dangerous weather conditions should be vested in the senior host school administrator present (in this case, CSHS Principal Steve Bebee), not the head referee, who obviously had not experienced a Monsoon lightning storm in the Desert Foothills. Lightning is not to be “messed with” – period!

Coach Davis, with candor, to Sonoran News: “They (his players) might stink it up at times – but they never quit. I can’t adequately express my respect and admiration for their willingness to keep fighting. We’ve got to become mentally tough and eliminate the mistakes that have hurt us in our first three games.”

On the positive side is the play of the offensive line, which has held opponents to only six sacks of QB Bryce Kinsler in his 148 passing attempts, good for 76 completions totaling 1,082 yards. Coach Davis: “Bryce’s leadership qualities make our offense go. We’ve got to find a defensive leader, hopefully this Friday night at Queen Creek. We can’t keep chasing 14.”

The 3-0 Bulldogs, at their Homecoming, will be too tough for the “Fightin’ Birds”: QC, 41 – CSHS, 28. But these Falcons, to borrow a Kirk Gibson encouragement, “ain’t gonna roll over” – not by a longshot. If they don’t pull off an upset at Queen Creek, they can take out their frustrations by beating Prescott at “Super Homecoming,” Friday, Sept. 23.
Hang in there, Falcs! Better times are ahead.

Map to Queen Creek High School

BY PETE MOHR | SEPTEMBER 14, 2011

Ethan Homan paces Cross Country’s solid performance at Chandler Invitational, Saturday, Sept. 10

Competing by grade level, 36 cross country teams vied at last Saturday’s Chandler Invitational. CSHS junior Ethan Homan won his category in 16:48.  Head Coach Patty Egan praising Homan: “For the three-mile distance, that’s fast!”

Falcon medalists (top 20 finishers) were:
Freshmen: Keith Durkin, Julie Ramioulle
Sophomore: Sloane Meyers-Lenz
Juniors: Homan, Terri Baker, Dani Zalewski
Seniors: Tri-Captain David Tze, David Toomey, Co-Captains Savannah Alexander, Jenny Gormley

Harriers run again, Saturday, Sept. 17, in the “Artichoke Invitational” at Scottsdale Community College, morning start time to be announced.  

BY PETE MOHR | SEPTEMBER 14, 2011

Inaugural “Falcon 5K Homecoming Run-Walk,” Sunday, Sept. 18, Falcon Stadium, 8 a.m. start

 After Cactus Shadows’ “It’s a Super Homecoming” week kicks off at 10 a.m. from Harold’s in Saturday morning’s traditional parade, put on your running (or walking) shoes the next morning (Sunday) for CSHS Baseball/Softball-sponsored inaugural “Falcon 5K Homecoming Run-Walk.” The event will start at 8 a.m. from Falcon Stadium. Registration begins at 6:45.

There will be two participant categories (male and female in each): 18-and-younger and 19-and-older. The top three male and female finishers in each category will receive race awards.  “Superhero” costumes are encouraged but not required. Will there be a “Spiderman” among the winners?

Entry fees (by check payable to “Cactus Shadows High School”) are $25 for 18-under and $30 for 19-older. Please direct information requests to Softball Head Coach Danica Gianni at (602) 703-8944 or e-mail [email protected].

Calling all “Superheroes”! Whether you’re a super-runner or super-walker, come out for some Sunday morning “super fun!”

2011 Varsity Football Schedule

Sept. 16  at Queen Creek
Sept. 23  Prescott [Homecoming]
Sept. 30  Barry Goldwater
Oct. 6      Horizon
Oct. 14    at Notre Dame [S.C.C.]
Oct. 21    Paradise Valley
Oct. 28    at Shadow Mountain

BY PETE MOHR | SEPTEMBER 14, 2011

Meet the Football Falcon seniors …

Lance Sam

Preparing to write Lance Sam’s senior profile, the title for the Kevin Costner-Kelly Preston baseball movie romance, “For the Love of the Game,” surfaced in my consciousness. What-the-heck is the connection? After sitting out his sophomore and junior seasons because of “family issues” (his term), Lance Sam, as a senior, came back to play football “For the Love of the Game” – and the satisfaction of “belonging” again to the Falcon Football “family.” The 5’9”, 230-pounder volunteered, “Playing the game I love … I really missed it a lot … and the guys I’ve gotten to know at Cactus Shadows.”

This will likely be Lance’s “last call” for football before pursuing an engineering degree, hopefully from NAU. Academically, he describes himself as “a hard worker.” Currently enrolled in his third year of Honors classes in Math, Lance identifies Mesdames Diane Kohl and Kenzie Keenan as his favorite teachers. “I’m a Math Guy,” he states with quiet satisfaction.

This is a “milestone” week for Lance Chester Gery Sam, his 18th birthday to be celebrated September 14. He was born in Tucson and moved to The Valley “right after 9/11.” Lance lives in Rio Verde with his maternal grandmother, Ms. Calista Merrill. As his “encouragers,” Lance asked that I recognize his uncle, Scottsdalian James Merrill, and current assistant football coach, Kenny Gibadlo.

What is Lance’s “take” on the 0-3 Falcons, for whom he would “like to play as much as possible”? “We need to do our jobs.” With that discipline, Lance believes, “We can win the rest of our games.” I like that prediction.

Win or lose as a Football Falcon, I congratulate this quietly-determined young man for his decision to play again, wishing him all the best in this, his senior year.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2011

Scottsdale Hosts National College Fair
Learn and Earn Event

College. Mention this word to a high school Junior or Senior and a list of responses comes to mind. Where to go. Entrance exams. Getting in. Paying for it. And so on.
On Saturday, October 1st students from all over the Valley will gather at the 5th Annual Scottsdale College Fair to find answers to such questions. From 1 to 3 p.m. The Scottsdale Center for Performing Arts will be overflowing with students, parents and representatives from 98 colleges across the country and around the world, sharing information and making sense of the college process.

The Scottsdale College Fair Foundation organizes the corporately sponsored college fair and donates all proceeds to our scholarship fund. Over the past four years they have successfully donated over $30,000 to local students in need.

During this time of transition for the student, and with parents understanding the increasing magnitude of the college investment, there can never be too many questions.  With all of these resources in one place, students and parents can get information straight from the source.
Standing face to face with college reps this fall, families will be able work through the college equation with real time answers, and up to date information on scholarships, aid, and admissions.