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www.ahwatukee.com Pride rolls past Campo Verde in win

BY ANDREW LWOWSKI AFN Contributing Writer

Just like fans in attendance, the Mountain Pointe Pride roared as they ran through the Campo Verde Coyotes on homecoming night, 42-29.

However, the game was not as close as the final score would indicate as the Pride were in firm control at half, up 28.

Led by senior quarterback Chris Arviso’s six total touchdowns, the Pride offense sliced through the Coyote defense. Arviso said the game plan coming in was “to take what the defense gave them.”

And the Coyotes gave them plenty. Arviso threw for 312 yards, with five touchdowns through the air and one on the ground. Three of Arviso’s scores were to Matty Braun in the first half.

“They just kept playing off of him (Braun),” Arviso said. “And when he (Braun) gets space, he’s dangerous.”

Braun exploded for eight receptions for 126 yards on top of his three scores.

Although, the Prides’ success wasn’t all through the air. The three-headed mon-

Mountain Pointe senior quarterback Christopher Arviso throws against Campo Verde Friday, Sept. 23, 2022 at Karl Kiefer Stadium in Ahwatukee. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

ster in the backfield, led by senior back Jay’len Rushing, kept the Coyote defense honest. Rushing took the bulk of the carries over Christian Clark and Randle Parker, finishing with 119 yards off 25 carries and a score.

Arviso, with help from Rushing and company, methodically moved the ball up and down the field during the first half. A handful of the Prides drives came with short field position from turnovers or forced errors on Campo’s end.

The second half was a different story, however. The Coyote defense showed grit and fought back with three turnovers while the offense put up 22 points. Both Rushing and Arviso acknowledged that the team needs to focus on finishing games.

“It’s not just two quarter games, it’s four quarters,” Arviso said. “We got to come for all four quarters.”

Rushing added that the young offensive line needs to adjust mentally for long games. But with veteran experience, Rushing said words of encouragement can go a seePRIDE page 36

Thunder cruise to first win over Verrado

BY AARON HEALY

AFN Contributing Writer

After three long weeks, first-year Desert Vista coach Nate Gill finally tasted victory Friday night as the Thunder cruised to a 34-9 win over Verrado. The win also marked the first win for Desert Vista this season. And it came at the best time.

“It seems like it took forever, we had three opportunities prior and couldn’t get it done, but we came out prepared today and finally got that win,” Gill said. The Thunder offense managed to find a rhythm and put several points on the board for the first time this season. But they started slow. Verrado struck first thanks to a 29-yard screen pass to running back Julian Virgen. It was a gut punch to the Thunder defense, but they responded with two first-quarter interceptions by cornerback Jacob Carter.

That gave Desert Vista momentum.

After Carter’s second interception of the game, Desert Vista running back Michael Allison scampered through the offensive line for a 1-yard touchdown, his first of the game.

Allison dominated the running game and added two more touchdowns on the night. It motivated the defense, something senior linebacker Antonio DelseeTHUNDER page 36

Desert Vista senior wide receiver Michael Allison celebrates after a Thunder touchdown against Verrado Friday, Sept. 23 at Thunder Stadium in Ahwatukee. (David Minton/Staff

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 28, 2022

Impact players for the 26th Ahwatukee Bowl

BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor

The time has come. It’s the one game a year that is a must-win for Mountain Pointe and Desert Vista high schools in Ahwatukee. The Ahwatukee Bowl.

This year’s game comes after an overtime bout last season that ended in favor of the Thunder. Several key contributors return on both sides to help lead their teams to victory, along with some new faces.

Here’s a look at some impact players to watch in the 26th annual Ahwatukee Bowl on Thursday, Sept. 29.

Mountain Pointe

Chris Arviso

This is senior quarterback Chris Arviso’s third Ahwatukee Bowl game leading Mountain Pointe. He led the Pride to a win as a sophomore and fell just short as a junior. This year, however, he’s already set new records for Mountain Pointe with single game passing yards and aims to continue his hot streak against Desert Vista.

Jay’len Rushing, Christian Clark and Randle Parker

The three-headed monster at running back has been successful so far for the Pride. Led by senior Jay’len Rushing, Mountain Pointe has been able to quickly establish dominance up front and on the ground. Juniors Randle Parker and Christian Clark, a Desert Vista transfer, have also played pivotal roles. Clark has also started on defense for the Pride at safety.

Kaleb Jones and Kahoua Leha

Senior Kahoua Leha and sophomore Kaleb Jones may be one of the best duos for offensive and defensive line in the state. On defense, the pair can dominate the line of scrimmage. On offense, they combine to open massive running lanes for Mountain Pointe’s rushing attack. They’re the leaders in the trenches for the Pride this season.

Izaac Patterson

Izaac Patterson’s growth this off-season was monumental. He became bigger, faster and stronger heading into his senior season and it showed in his play on the field. At linebacker he has the ability to single-handedly stop the run. His speed also makes him a threat on offense for the Pride.

Desert Vista

Braxton Thomas

Junior quarterback Braxton Thomas was key in this game last year when the Thunder won in overtime. He’s hoping to replicate that performance this season. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder hasn’t run as much this season, instead settling in the pocket to show off his arm strength. But he can be a dual threat player when needed and can change the outcome of a game.

Traven Vigenser and Roan Martinez

Senior wide receiver Traven Vigenser will play in his first Ahwatukee Bowl, while junior wideout Roan Martinez will play in his second but first as a starter. Both have been key this season for the Thunder. They’re the top two targets for Thomas so far and complement senior Michael Allison, who can play any position for the Thunder. Both Martinez and Vigenser hope to replicate the success they had against Campo Verde on Thursday against Mountain Pointe.

Antonio Delgado

There may not be a player on the field Thursday night that has as much passion for Desert Vista as senior linebacker Antonio Delgado has. He watched his older brother Armando help lead the Thunder to victory in this game. Last year, he had the game-winning sack. He’s taken his off-season seriously and despite a rough start as a team, he has been one of the most consistent players and leaders on the Thunder defense so far.

Jaden Humphrey

Senior linebacker Jaden Humphrey was sidelined due to injury the first two games of the season. But since his return, he’s made an impact alongside Delgado on the defense. The two complement each other well, and Humphrey’s progression has him still due for a breakout performance. He hopes it comes against Mountain Pointe, the biggest game of the year. 

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 28, 2022

SPORTS 35 Ahwatukee Bowl more than just a game for seniors

BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor

There’s something special about high school football.

It’s the sound of the band welcoming the team onto the field. The cheers from students and parents that echo throughout nearby neighborhoods. And it’s the passion with which players have for their schools and teams.

Those things are there every Friday night in the fall. But they get turned up a notch for one week every season: Rivalry week.

It’s the one night a year where bragging rights mean a little more. It’s the one night a year neighbors are no longer friendly. And for seniors especially, it’s the one game that means a little bit more than the rest.

“Words can’t explain how much I want this win,” Desert Vista senior linebacker Antonio Delgado said. “I’m pretty sure Mountain Pointe is going to be the best team we play. So, this could set up a lot Desert Vista senior wide receiver Traven Vigenser will play in his first Ahwatukee Bowl since transferring from Sierra Linda when his dad joined new head coach Nate Gill’s staff. He knows what is at stake for this game and plans to do what he can to help his

team win. (Dave Minton/AFN Staff)

more for the rest of the season.

“But being my senior year, no one wants to lose their rivalry game, it’s something they can’t get back.”

The stakes are always higher when Mountain Pointe and Desert Vista meet. That remains true for this year, the 26th iteration of the game.

Emotions are higher, too, and the sense of pride for either school north and south of Chandler Boulevard is at an all-time high. Last year’s game needed overtime to decide a winner. The Thunder came out victorious.

Delgado, who got the game winning sack, and his teammates haven’t forgotten what that moment felt like for them. Mountain Pointe players also haven’t forgotten. The dramatics of last year’s game have set up this year’s meeting to be one riddled with emotions. But that’s the way seniors like it. “This is a big game, the ‘Tukee Bowl,” Mountain Pointe senior quarterback Chris Arviso said. “Big atmosphere, big environment. Everyone in Ahwatukee is involved, it shows how big the game is. We just have to leave it all out on the field. “It’s a bigger deal this year. Especially because it’s my last one.” There are several key components to this year’s game. Desert Vista is coming off its first win of the season against Verrado. Finally, that is out of the way for first-year coach Nate Gill. After starting the season strong, Mountain Pointe lost two straight before getting back into the win column against Campo seeSENIORS page 36

Lightning lacrosse providing opportunities for youth

BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor

Ahwatukee has a long history of success with lacrosse in youth sports.

The Desert Vista High School club team, which merges Thunder athletes with those from Mountain Pointe, has won or been a part of state title games in year’s past. Several players that feed into that team come from the Ahwatukee Lightning, a youth organization that aimed to provide an opportunity for players of all skill levels to dabble in lacrosse.

Now, Chad Littell, the president of the Ahwatukee Lightning and coach of the program’s 10U team, is taking another step to ensure players have access to equipment and reduced fees in order to explore the game.

“The challenge I saw before me was new families to lacrosse that didn’t know what to buy,” Littell said. “So, I thought, ‘What if we do a free equipment rental. So, if they need anything, it’s there.’ We eliminate any of the confusion.”

Littell’s love for lacrosse in Ahwatukee dates back to the late 1990s when he, as a player, won a state championship with the high school team. He went on to play at Arizona State and got involved with the

Ahwatukee Lightning President Chad Littell hopes to expand the lacrosse programs reach in the community. Their main focus is to build strong leadership and character qualities with their players rather than focus on wins. (Dave

Minton/AFN Staff) Lightning years later when his own kids became interested in the sport.

Every year the program sends athletes to the high school club team and continues to expose the sport to more youth in the community. This year, however, he’s taking it a step further by implementing the equipment rental service as part of the program for players who can’t afford their own.

Players can check out equipment for free, including helmets, pads and sticks. Some of the equipment offered with the program is lightly used from players who have grown out of it. Other pieces of equipment are acquired from equipment stores.

Littell has also looked into scholarships for players who can’t afford to pay fees. So far, 8-year-old players are able to play for free this season.

He hopes to extend this to some extent for other younger age groups. For now, he stresses that lacrosse is “economically attractive” compared to other sports. Especially when eliminating equipment costs.

“We’re really making an effort to simplify the process,” Littell said. “Our primary goal is to spread the sport of lacrosse. We’re much more focused on building culture and leadership qualities than winning percentage.”

Building strong character qualities has been at the forefront for all Lightning coaches. Winning is great, and they understand parents may be concerned about how competitive a team may be.

But Littell and others believe setting kids up to be successful human beings takes precedence. And lacrosse, given the amount of work and discipline needed to play the sport, is one that helps shape a kid’s character. Winning comes with discipline.

“If your kid is not better as a human being after leaving our program, we’re not doing our job,” Littell said. “My boys have been a part of programs where all they want is to get the ‘W.’ There’s coaches yelling, swearing and going crazy. That doesn’t fly.

“The No. 1 priority (for the Lightning) is we teach and reward character and leadership development.”

The Ahwatukee Lightning is currently

long way.

“Give them props when they make a good play,” he said, adding, “you got to teach them young, so it becomes the norm.” Encouraging good plays will promote stronger play and a better team.

Coach Eric Lauer said the team stuck to the game plan and showed cohesiveness.

“I thought we executed really well in the first half in doing the things that we thought would be there,” he said. “We’re not excited about how we finished – we

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 28, 2022 exhaled a little too early. But we got the win and that’s what matters.”

Lauer challenged his team to play hard so everyone could get reps, but ultimately his team failed. “Take nothing from them, they did not give up or let down,” Lauer said. “We told them that they wouldn’t, that’s not their kind of program so hats off to them.” Now on a short week, the Pride (2-2) will look to turn around and fix their mistakes as they host their Ahwatukee rival Desert Vista Thunder (1-3) on Thursday, Sept. 29. 

THUNDER from page 33

gado was happy to see after three rough weeks prior.

“I love seeing my guys on offense do a great job and making big plays; Michael had a great game. This was his first game playing as a real running back,” Delgado said. After the scoring parade in the first half, it was up to the defense to keep the lead for the Thunder. After giving up the first-quarter touchdown Desert Vista shut down the Verrado offense. Along with the two interceptions the defense managed to sack Vipers quarterback Erick Santiago three times.

“On defense we played great, we even had some backups get in and they got to really experience Friday night lights, which puts a smile on everybody’s face,” Delgado said.

The win gives Desert Vista momentum heading into a showdown with rival Mountain Pointe in the annual Ahwatukee Bowl. A game that has been circled for Gill.

“I think it’s going to be great for our kids’ confidence for one,” Gill said. “Winning is contagious, everybody wants to continue to get it done and figure out how to do so and that’s put together a full four quarters, a full 48 minutes. Just build off of that and go and try to get this next one.”

“I feel like the energy, especially having the first win of the season, the energy is going to be really high going into this next week especially going into the Ahwatukee Bowl, a Thursday night game,” Delgado added. 

SENIORS from page 35

Verde last Friday. Both teams seemed to be clicking in every facet of the game, with dominant defensive performances that led to high-powered displays from the offense. That has put them on a collision course that could dictate how the rest of the season unfolds the rest of the way.

Desert Vista hopes to win two in a row to solidify a streak under Gill. Mountain Pointe, which had high expectations heading into the season with a slew of talent transferring into the program, is out to prove it can contend for a title this season.

But the Ahwatukee Bowl comes first. And it’s a game every senior has circled.

“It means a lot,” Desert Vista senior wide Receiver Traven Vigenser said. “It’s the battle for Ahwatukee. Just talking to the guys, they expect it to be packed. I didn’t really have a rival like this at my old school.

“I’ve got people over there I know. I’m ready to go to war, for sure.” This is Vigenser’s first Ahwatukee Bowl game. But it’s a rivalry he has become familiar with since transferring to Desert Vista from Sierra Linda when his dad joined Gill’s coaching staff.

He’s been taught all he needs to know about the Ahwatukee Bowl and the significance for the Thunder program and the community. He’s adopted a desire to keep the trophy in the school’s case, and he is going to do what it takes to make that happen.

The passion seniors feel for Ahwatukee Bowl has also spread to younger players, including Mountain Pointe junior safety Javier Jones. He learned all about the game from seniors and those who came before him.

He saw how heartbroken the overtime loss in the rivalry game was for last year’s class. Now one of the leaders on the Pride defense, Jones aims to do what he can to ensure his senior teammates don’t have the same outcome.

Not only would a win be key for seniors, but it would also build momentum toward next year – when he will be in their shoes.

Overall, Jones aims to help give his teammates the right to say, ‘We run ‘Tukee.’

“We have to hit hard and be able to take the hits,” Jones said. “It means a lot (to play in this game). I have a big opportunity to help my team win, to put my name out there. “When you see how invested everyone is in this game, it’s crazy to me.”  Mountain Pointe senior quarterback Chris Arviso was on the receiving end of a sack that ended last year’s Ahwatukee Bowl in favor of Desert Vista. But this is a new year, and he is confident and excited for Thursday’s game. (Dave Minton/AFN Staff)

LACROSSE from page 35

going through an eight-week training camp for 10U and below. Players in the 12U and 14U age groups begin fall ball on Oct. 18. All players start at the same level and eventually graduate to scrimmages. Littell believes this makes it easy for kids who have never played to feel more comfortable with the game.

In the spring, the Lightning will play their official season. Littell finds joy in being able to further build the youth team he once played for. He finds more joy in helping build character and leadership skills in young Ahwatukee residents. Overall, he believes lacrosse can provide a special experience for all.

“I look at athletics as a way to shape young men and women,” Littell said. “We’re shaping the community around us, and we get to see young men rally around each other and form a brotherhood, a friendship and a bond. We try to empower these young guys to be high character leaders.”

For more information about the Ahwatukee Lightning, visit Ahwatukeelax.com or contact Littell at 480-703-

7953.

Part of Littell’s efforts to grow the game and welcome more athletes is implementing a free equipment rental service for those who may not know what to buy to play. He also aims to provide scholarships for players to