The Desert Edge (Goodyear, AZ) varsity football team will host Cactus Shadows (Cave Creek, AZ) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 15 at 7 p.m. This exciting matchup is part of the 2024 AIA State Football Championships, Conference 5A, as both teams fight for a chance to advance.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arizona High School Football
Who: Cactus Shadows vs Desert Edge
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 5A
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Cactus Shadows and Desert Edge

The 2024-2025 football season has brought a mix of highs and lows for both Cactus Shadows and Desert Edge. These two Arizona teams have shown remarkable contrasts in their performances, with differing records, scoring averages, and strategies. Let’s break down their seasons so far and what the numbers reveal.

Cactus Shadows: Strong Finish, Tough Start

Cactus Shadows has had a season filled with challenges and triumphs. Finishing with a 7-4 overall record, they have demonstrated solid resilience throughout the season. Their 1-4 section record indicates struggles within their competitive league, but their performance in non-section games has been more impressive, with a 5-1 home record contributing significantly to their overall success.

Key Statistics:

• Overall Record: 7-4
• Section Record: 1-4
• Home Record: 2-3
• Away Record: 5-1
• Win %: .636
• Section %: .200
• Points For (PF): 504
• Points Against (PA): 308

Despite facing difficulty in section play, the team has excelled in scoring, averaging 45.8 points per game, with a particularly strong fourth-quarter performance of 17.5 points per game. This late-game intensity demonstrates their ability to finish strong, outscoring opponents with 7.0 points in overtime as well. Their ability to put up points in the final quarter may have been key to their positive record outside of their section.

Desert Edge: A Strong Section Record but Struggling Offense

Desert Edge, with a 6-4 overall record, has been more successful within their section, posting a 4-1 section record. This suggests a dominance in their league play, but the team’s overall offensive performance is weaker compared to Cactus Shadows. The Desert Edge offense averages just 23.1 points per game, a notable contrast to Cactus Shadows’ offensive output.

Key Statistics:

• Overall Record: 6-4
• Section Record: 4-1
• Home Record: 3-2
• Away Record: 3-2
• Win %: .600
• Section %: .800
• Points For (PF): 231
• Points Against (PA): 159

Desert Edge’s offense has struggled in the early parts of games, with the team averaging just 3.4 points in the first quarter. However, they have been able to recover and find rhythm in the second quarter (8.2 points). Despite their offensive inconsistencies, their strong defense has been a major factor, as evidenced by their low points against (159) and their ability to hold teams to an average of just 15.9 points per game.

Comparing the Teams: Offense vs. Defense

When it comes to offensive production, Cactus Shadows holds the edge, with a much higher average of 45.8 points per game compared to Desert Edge’s 23.1. Cactus Shadows is particularly dominant in the fourth quarter, whereas Desert Edge’s scoring is more evenly distributed, albeit less prolific.

On the defensive side of things, Desert Edge has performed significantly better, allowing only 159 points across 10 games, compared to Cactus Shadows’ 308. This sharp contrast in defense indicates that Desert Edge’s strategy is likely focused on a strong, tight-knit defense that limits the opposition’s scoring opportunities.

Conclusion: What Lies Ahead?

Both teams have their strengths and weaknesses as the season progresses. Cactus Shadows will need to improve their section record to make a deeper playoff run, while Desert Edge must find ways to increase their offensive output in order to compete with high-scoring teams. However, Desert Edge’s solid section record and defensive strength make them a formidable opponent in their league, while Cactus Shadows’ ability to score at crucial moments will serve as a key to their success. As the season unfolds, both teams will need to refine their strategies to meet their goals for the rest of the 2024-2025 season.

As the high school football season continues to unfold, the matchup between Cactus Shadows and Desert Edge stands out as an intriguing clash of styles. While both teams have shown flashes of brilliance, they bring unique strengths to the field, making this a highly anticipated game. Below is a breakdown of their team statistics, standout players, and results against common opponents.

Team Stat Comparison

Offensive Performance: Rushing and Passing
Cactus Shadows leads the way with a potent rushing attack, averaging 262.1 yards per game. This places them among the best teams in the state when it comes to controlling the ground game. Andrew Muirhead is the standout rusher, accumulating 100.0 yards per game. In contrast, Desert Edge’s rushing offense averages just 103.9 yards per game, with Elijah Sherbin-Fox being their primary rusher, though his numbers don’t match Muirhead’s.

When it comes to the air game, both teams are well-matched. Cactus Shadows averages 230.1 passing yards per game, while Desert Edge is right behind at 213.7. Cactus Shadows’ quarterback, Donivan C. Dixon, is a dual-threat, throwing for 228.2 yards per game and contributing to the team’s offensive success. Desert Edge’s Blake Roskopf, who averages 251.8 yards per game, has been a key component of their passing attack and will likely look to take advantage of Cactus Shadows’ secondary.

Receiving and Total Yardage
Cactus Shadows excels in receiving yards, posting 229.7 yards per game, with top receivers like Dillon Aspiras (65.1 receiving yards per game) leading the charge. Desert Edge trails slightly, with 213.2 receiving yards per game, but they aren’t far behind. Both teams are relatively balanced in terms of yardage, with Cactus Shadows averaging 492.2 total yards per game and Desert Edge at 317.6. Cactus Shadows’ dynamic offense, which mixes a powerful rushing attack with an efficient passing game, gives them a significant edge in total yardage.

Defensive Metrics
Defensively, both teams are strong, but Desert Edge averages more tackles per game, with 67.3 compared to Cactus Shadows’ 58.8. This shows that Desert Edge’s defense is more active in terms of making stops. Both teams are relatively even in sacks, with Desert Edge averaging 2.8 per game and Cactus Shadows 2.6, highlighting that both squads are capable of pressuring the quarterback. Cactus Shadows will need to counter Desert Edge’s strong defensive presence by executing their offense efficiently.

Scoring
Cactus Shadows is significantly better at putting points on the board, averaging 45.3 points per game compared to Desert Edge’s 23.0. This stark difference in scoring ability suggests that Cactus Shadows’ offense is more explosive and capable of putting up large numbers, which could be a deciding factor in this game.

Key Players to Watch

Cactus Shadows:

• Andrew Muirhead (#8): Muirhead is a key part of the running game, averaging 100.0 rushing yards per game. His ability to dominate on the ground will be critical for controlling the tempo of the game.
• Donivan C. Dixon (#2): Dixon is the centerpiece of Cactus Shadows’ offense, with 228.2 passing yards per game. His ability to balance both passing and rushing will make him a difficult player for Desert Edge to stop.
• Dillon Aspiras (#3): As the top receiver for Cactus Shadows, Aspiras is a playmaker with 65.1 receiving yards per game. His chemistry with Dixon could be a game-changer.
• Marshall Lasater (#9): Lasater leads Cactus Shadows’ defense with 7.9 tackles per game. His defensive presence will be vital in stopping Desert Edge’s offense.

Desert Edge:

• Blake Roskopf (#7): Roskopf has been a standout performer for Desert Edge, throwing for 251.8 yards per game. His ability to lead the passing game will be crucial for Desert Edge to keep pace with Cactus Shadows.
• David Cabrera (#10): Cabrera has been a top target in the receiving game for Desert Edge, with 52.6 receiving yards per game. His ability to make plays downfield will be important in stretching the defense.
• Joshua Hopphaus (#24): Hopphaus has been a force on defense, averaging 10.2 tackles per game. His leadership and defensive skills will be crucial in trying to contain Cactus Shadows’ potent offense.
• Jerry Washington (#15): Washington provides a strong defensive presence with 1.1 sacks per game and will need to disrupt Dixon’s playmaking ability in the pocket.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced some similar competition, which gives us a good sense of how they measure up against comparable teams.

• Camelback: Cactus Shadows defeated Camelback 62-19 on August 30, 2024. Desert Edge also won against Camelback, but by a much narrower margin, 24-6, on September 12, 2024.
• Higley: Cactus Shadows faced Higley on September 27, 2024, and suffered a tough 56-50 loss. Desert Edge, however, lost to Higley 39-14 on September 20, 2024.
• Notre Dame Prep: Cactus Shadows won 28-21 against Notre Dame Prep on October 25, 2024. Desert Edge lost 20-14 to Notre Dame Prep on September 6, 2024.

Cactus Shadows has had a stronger performance against common opponents, with a 2-1 record compared to Desert Edge’s 1-2. This suggests that Cactus Shadows has had more success in tough matchups.

Record Breakdown

Cactus Shadows (24-25)
Cactus Shadows enters this game with a 7-4 overall record. They’ve had a tough league campaign, going 1-4, but have dominated in non-league play, posting a 6-0 record. At home, they have a 2-3 record, and they’re 5-1 away from home. Cactus Shadows will look to capitalize on their non-league success.

Desert Edge (24-25)
Desert Edge has posted a 6-4 overall record, with a strong 4-1 showing in league play. They have been solid in both home and away games, with a 3-2 record on the road and a 3-2 record at home. Their ability to perform in league games, especially on the road, has been a strength.

Conclusion

Cactus Shadows brings a dynamic and explosive offense to the table, averaging 45.3 points per game and showcasing a powerful rushing attack alongside a solid passing game. Desert Edge, while strong on defense, will need to improve its offensive output to compete with the high-scoring Cactus Shadows team. With both teams bringing their A-game, Cactus Shadows’ superior offense and recent success against common opponents make them the favorites, but Desert Edge will certainly look to capitalize on their defensive strengths and disciplined play to pull off an upset. This matchup promises to be an exciting battle, with plenty of potential for surprises.