The undefeated Desert Edge Scorpions (5-0) take on the Sunrise Mountain Mustangs (4-1) in our GameTime Arizona featured matchup – Friday, Nov. 6 at 7:00 pm MT/8:00pm CT.
How to Watch: Desert Edge vs Sunrise Mountain
Sunrise Mountain suffered their first loss last week against Ironwood 20-11.
“Since that loss, we’ve just got to look in the mirror and take a look at ourselves and what we’re doing,” Sunrise Mountain head coach Steve Decker said. “We’ve got to make sure we get the most out of ourselves from here on out.”
The Mustangs come in to this week banged up with seven starters out due to injury, so they will be relying on the next man up against a solid Desert Edge team.
Sunrise Mountain will also be making a change at quarterback this week. Junior quarterback Hunter Kronengold will be starting for the Mustangs after sitting the first four games due to the transfer rule.
Read More: Desert Edge linebacker, Myles Hobbs, excelling in classroom, on gridiron
Desert Edge co-head coaches Marcus and Mark Carter have come in to the Scorpion program during a challenging time, but had no problem getting the team to buy in, they said.
Now they’re heading into week six undefeated.
Check out the Players to Watch ahead of Desert Edge vs. Sunrise Mountain – Friday, Nov. 6 at 7:00 pm MT/9:00 pm CT.
Arizona Season Preview and Schedule of Games
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sr. CB Steven Ortiz Jr, 5’11” 175 – Desert Edge
Ortiz is a dynamic defenseman for the Scorpions. He has played on Varsity since he was a freshman.
As a sophomore, Ortiz tallied 57 total tackles, 29 solo and five interceptions as well as two fumble recoveries.
Last season, Ortiz had 83 total tackles, 52 solo. He averaged almost six tackles per game.
Read More: Pick 6 with 4-Star Recruit, Desert Edge’s Steven Ortiz
Through five games this year, Ortiz has 17 tackles, 10 solo and two interceptions.
Ortiz is rated as the No. 7 overall athlete in Arizona and the No. 23 cornerback in the nation by 247Sports.
〽️Y WAY. 🇵🇷💯🇵🇷 pic.twitter.com/VAccPAPDMx
— Steven Ortiz Jr (@1stevenortizjr) April 10, 2020
The four-star CB had offers from Arizona, Houston, Cal, Kansas, Mississippi State, Nebraska Oregon and Washington among others, but is committed to play at Minnesota next year.
“He’s outstanding,” Marcus said. “On the field obviously he is an amazing football player, he does a lot of amazing things for us, but I’m more impressed with his ability off the field. His ability to lead people, to get people fired up and lead by example.”
Off the field, Ortiz is involved with the Special Education PE class at Desert Edge and is a vocal leader for the Scorpions, Marcus said.
Sr. WR Zeke Marshall, 5’8 165 – Sunrise Mountain
Marshall is a three-year starter for the Mustangs. This season he has notched 384 yards and six touchdowns.
https://twitter.com/EzekielMarshal7/status/1298993440366030852
“He runs great routes,” Decker said. “He stretches the field for us. He’s got great speed.”
Marshall has an offer from Eastern New Mexico.
Jr. QB Adryan Lara, 6’2” 205 – Desert Edge
Lara has been a standout for the Scorpions since his freshman season.
So far in his career he has totaled 6,595 passing yards, 73 touchdowns.
In 2019, he had over 4,000 yards and 41 touchdowns.
The Carter brothers run a slightly different offense than Lara was used to under the previous regime, but he adjusted very quickly, Mark said.
“He has a cannon for an arm,” Mark said. “He understands the game really well. He’s a Division I quarterback. I can’t say enough about how he’s able to adjust. Him being able to adjust (to our way) with kind of a little offseason just says what kind of player he is.”
Lara had offers from Arizona, Kansas, Iowa State, Oregon State and William & Mary.
In September, he committed to play at Washington State.
https://twitter.com/Adryan_Lara7/status/1305646946254610432
This season, Lara has totaled 1,094 passing yards with 11 touchdowns. He also has two touchdowns on the ground with 94 rushing yards.
Sr. LB Owen Thomas, 6’0” 200 – Sunrise Mountain
Thomas has 32 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss and seven sacks on the year.
“He’s kind of the catalyst of our defense,” Decker said. “I really feel everything revolves around him. When he’s going, everything gets in to place on defense. He’s a beast. One of the fastest guys on the field.”
The linebacker also runs track for the Mustangs. He competes in the 400-meter, 4 x 400 and long jump events.
Thomas currently does not hold any collegiate offers.
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