Game of the Week

Salpointe Catholic (3-1) at Pueblo (3-1)

 

Salpointe and Pueblo had remarkably different seasons last year. The Lancers failed to qualify for the postseason for the first time in six years while the Warriors qualified for the playoffs for the first time in 25 years.

Pueblo finished 7-4 in the old D-IV and Salpointe was an even 5-5 in D-II. A reconfiguration this past year has both teams battling it out in the newly formed 4A Conference with Salpointe competing in the Kino Region and Pueblo in the Gila Region.

This year, the Lancers have a quality win over Marana Mountain View (3-1) and a quality loss to Tucson High (3-2) while the Warriors have yet to get a signature win but fell to Sunnyside (2-3) in the closing moments of that game.

Salpointe has to contend with Canyon del Oro (3-1) and Catalina Foothills (3-1) in the Kino Region while Pueblo is expected to battle Amphitheater (2-2) in the Gila Region. Salpointe also has a “Freedom Game” remaining against Cienega (4-0) so, simply, the Lancers need to win this game due to the gauntlet ahead of them.

Pueblo still has a major “Freedom Game” remaining on their schedule (CDO) so a win over Salpointe will obviously position them for the postseason but a loss will not hurt their region chances.

Salpointe is averaging a little over 100 yards passing a game but the Lancers are also approaching 200 yards on the ground per game with sophomore Mario Padilla rushing for 454 yards (6.9). Pueblo also favors the ground game with sophomore Rueben Rivera leading the way.

This game looks like it will come down to defense and the Lancers are more experienced with every position filled with seniors and juniors while Pueblo is making a go of it with sophomores and juniors with a few seniors thrown in.

The initial AIA/MaxPreps Rankings will be released next Tuesday, Sept. 27.