Criminals need win at Brophy for playoff berth

The calendar indicates Yuma High's game tonight against Phoenix-Brophy is the regular-season finale.

But for all intents and purposes, it's the Criminals first playoff game.

For starters, it's the 11th game for the season for Yuma High (6-4) instead of the usual 10-game season. Also, it's against a high level of opponent - the Broncos enter the game No. 3 in 5A-I.

Most important, it's a win-or-go-home game for the Criminals. A win and they make the postseason. A loss and their season ends.

"Obviously the guys are pretty high after winning (against rival Kofa) last week, but they're also pretty focused," coach Tom Fox said. "But they know what it is - Brophy is one of the top programs in the state but at the same time they're excited to compete against them. We understand it's long odds but we're excited for the challenge."

The Broncos (7-2) bring a balanced offense into the home contest, with Chase Knox throwing for 1,254 yards and 12 touchdowns, but also 10 interceptions. Running back Max Leonesio has 951 of Brophy's 1,382 rushing yards and 10 of their 12 rushing touchdowns. The Broncos' two losses were against a pair of undefeated teams.

Criminal nose tackle Peter Franks said stopping the run - a problem all year for Yuma High - will be key to the win.

"They have a sophomore quarterback and they don't really trust him to pass," Franks said. "So we're going to have to work on shutting down their run game. We're going to have seven or eight in the box, trying to ruin folks on the run."

Last week against the Kings, the Criminals allowed 197 yards on the ground - 183 to reigning region player of the year Timmy Lee - in a 34-20 win. Fox said he hopes to see a repeat, or improvement, off that effort.

"Last week I finally saw where we brought some physicality to the field," Fox said. "I don't know if that's just because it was a rivalry game or we just were finally getting around to it."

 Defensive tackle Daniel Reyes, who had a sack in the game against Kofa last week, said he thinks the team will up its game against the Broncos.

"Kofa we had a good game. This game we're going to have to play a hell of a lot better," Reyes said. "We have to play tough defense, get the offense moving and score a couple points, and we'll see what we can do."

That will fall on the legs of JC Baker, who has 12 rushing touchdowns and 878 yards, averaging 10.5 yards per carry. Donte Jackson leads the passing game with 1,116 yards, 14 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Despite the Broncos winning history, good season and explosive players, Fox said the Criminals enter the game confident.

"You gotta beat them all to win it all anyway, so basically we start our playoffs a week earlier than everybody else," Fox said. "They're not unbeatable. We're not playing Superman up there."