Kate Dobson is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Chaparral High School for AZPreps365.com.

The 6A conference's No. 22-ranked Chaparral Firebirds (3-3) host their Scottsdale crosstown rival Saguaro Sabercats (0-6) on Friday at 7 p.m.

Chaparral's record is already better than last season’s 2-7.

Both teams are coming off their bye during the schools' fall breaks last week. They are the bottom two 6A Northeast Valley standings, looking for their first regional victory. The Sabercats beat the Firebirds at home 38-28 last season.

“We had some guys banged up, some lifts and two light practices with helmets only. Enough to stay sharp and moving but allow for the maximum amount of rest and recovery that we could,” Chaparral head coach Doug Nisenson said about how hs team prepared during the bye week.

He added that the coaching staff gave his players a few days off to focus on their health.

Chaparral is coming off 45-14 blowout loss at No. 10 Pinnacle on October 4.  

The Firebirds are led by senior receiver Gavin Mesa, sophomore quarterback Cam Allen and junior QB Max Wagner as they pursue a bounce-back win

“We expect to play sharp all the time and execute our jobs to the best effort and ability we are capable of. We also ask our guys to play for one another and stay together. They’ve done a great job of both of those things, and of taking responsibility when that doesn’t happen,” Nisenson said.