The past 20 years of Sahuaro football has been pretty bleak with not a lot to show for the effort put in by the players. This year, the Sahuaro football team turned their misfortunes around in a big way. To open the year, Sahuaro got an easy win against Vista Grande  55-13. The biggest win for the Cougars has to be against Sabino. After the past four years of heartbreak, Sahuaro marched into their territory and cruised past the Sabercats 34-7.

As soon as this season started, you could tell it was going to be different. For one, every single player on that team clicked more than they have in previous years. It felt as though this squad was almost unstoppable. The first real tough and challenging opponent Sahuaro had was Salpointe – the first time. Even though Sahuaro lost that game after allowing three first-half touchdowns, Sahuaro only allowed them one more touchdown in the second half. Sahuaro’s performance against Salpointe showed how determined this year’s Cougars were.

Sahuaro finished off a great year by getting home field in the playoffs, which hasn’t happened since 1999. The first opponent was definitely a challenge as Sahuaro and Glendale were evenly matched and the game ended in a failed two point conversion by Glendale. In the second playoff game against Seton Catholic, the Cougars had a rocky first half, but in the second half, the Cougars played like they always do and cruised to a finish of 63-19. However, like all good things in life, they must end. Sahuaro unfortunately met their match in the rematch against Salpointe. The Sahuaro seniors, however, get to remember the legacy they will leave Sahuaro with: leading Sahuaro to a Final Four appearance in the state playoffs for the first time since 1999. Recapping the season Sahuaro center Chris Lochhead said, “Honestly it would have been great to end the year with a ring. However, not a lot of people get to the final four and I’m really proud of what we accomplished, especially from where we were at the past two years.” Thinking about the future of Sahuaro football, linebacker Jakob Goerke believes, “It’s going to be a lot of work for them but still they can do it.” It’s going to be hard to follow this year’s season, but the seniors believe that the younger guys can do it.