Quarterback Jordan Upham and fellow senior Alec Phyfer combined for nearly 250 yards rushing and two second-half touchdowns as Mingus Union High School completed its undefeated tear through Division III, Section VIII with a 27-7 win at Prescott High School.
“Actually, our last two games, we played our two best games,” head coach Bob Young said. “I’m proud of that, because that’s what you want — to be playing your best at the end of the year.”
Upham and Phyfer split 43 carries for 248 yards in the win, which was the seventh straight for the Marauders [9-1], who captured their first sectional title Friday, Oct. 30, since Young’s 2011 team, which won 12 straight before losing to Tucson Santa Rita High School in the state semifinals.
“Like Flagstaff, it was a complete game,” Young said. “They’ve done a real good job of that the last couple weeks, when there was a lot of things on their mind.
“It was just one of those nights where all three phases really were in control.”
The reward is a No. 10 seed in the postseason and a trip to Buckeye to play seventh-seeded Verrado High School at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6.
“It’s not the first time we’ve had to travel to start things,” Young said. “We expected that, after looking at the power rankings, we weren’t moving up.
“Sometimes, it’s good to get overlooked. That’s how you continue to get better in the tournament.”
For the full story, more photos and final standings, please see the Wednesday, Nov. 4, issue of the Cottonwood Journal Extra.
