MHS football seeks winning ways against Coronado

The best remedy for a winless sports team is a victory to help re-build confidence.

Few, if any, coaches of a winless team would ever say his team simply can’t win any given game. They are also not likely to predict victory. But Maricopa High School head coach Cory Nenaber seems to feel tomorrow’s game against Scottsdale Coronado (3-3) on Senior Night at 7 p.m. at the MHS field might be the answer.

“Obviously we have to play well, we’re not a team that’s talented enough to not play well and have a chance to win, but if we do play well and take care of the football we should be very competitive at the end, and I think it’s a very good chance for us to get into the win column,” Nenaber states.

A look at statistics seems to bear that out. The teams have played two common opponents, Phoenix Arcadia and Chandler Seton Catholic. While Arcadia defeated Coronado, 22-0, it was opening night when teams are just beginning to establish their identities. Arcadia crushed the Rams, 53-0, last week.

Seton Catholic is a team that both schools have faced more recently. The Sentinels cruised to a 35-0 halftime lead over the Dons, en route to a 45-18 win. On the other hand, Seton had just a 14-12 margin at the break against MHS before pulling away to a 42-26 victory.

Both Coronado and Maricopa rely heavily on the running game and feature top backs. The Don’s Trey Huff has gained 698 yards in 112 carries, but hasn’t faced the tough defenses that the Rams’ Randel Barber has seen. Barber has gained 488 yards on 104 tries. Both have five TDs. Huff picked up 102 versus SCHS, while Barber torched the Sentinels for 222 with nearly 200 in the first half alone.

Barber won’t be able to do it alone. “My concern is that they’re going to put nine guys in the box, and you can’t block nine guys with six. So we’re going to have to throw it a little bit,” Nenaber said.

That will mean going with the arms of either freshman Keondre Churchwell or sophomore Dallas Speer, both of whom have shown promise at times, but remain young.

Nenaber never underestimates the importance, and contributions, of Barber. “I’m just so proud of Randel for sticking with us,” he said. “He just plays his heart of every night. We’re about due to have a breakout game, not only him, but for our team.”

***ADVERTISEMENT***CHS has three victories, but they have come against teams with a combined record of 2-16. Maricopa’s opponents have put together a 25-11 mark so far this season.

Despite recent personnel losses, Nenaber feels the players who have remained with the program can get the job done.

“I’m a firm believer that kids will step up when they are given the opportunity,” he said. “I think it’s all going to click. I’m hoping it’s this week. I think physically we match up well with them. This is a good chance for us to really show that we are improving.”

The game is being played on Thursday, as are most Arizona high school games this week, due to the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur on Friday.