The situation called for the defense to keep the ball in front of them and not let any big plays over the top.

It was in the final minutes, up by one, and there was about 40 yards between the line of scrimmage and a comfortable kicking distance for the opposition.

A lot teams switch to a prevent-type defense and rush three or four. Lose a bit of their aggressiveness with the hopes of not allowing a receiver to get free.

Unless you are Jameson Wade.

The Red Mountain senior linebacker implored the coaches to keep the pressure on for Mountain View’s final drive of the 23-22 win. The blitz calls were working and no reason to let up.

“He called the play,” Red Mountain coach Kyle Enders said of the blitz that put the Toros in a long down and distance. “I lean on those guys a lot. They built a lot of trust in me, and I built trust in them. We get on the sideline, by the TV and I can say ‘What do you want to do?’ When they look you straight in the eyes and say this is what they want, you believe them.”

Wade was able to get a sack and apply pressure on other downs. The Toros adjusted and got inside the Mountain Lions’ red zone, but senior safety Jackson White slipped in front of a Toro wide receiver and secured the win with an interception.

It doesn’t matter who is leading the program – Jim Jones, Ron Wisinewski, Mike Peterson, or Enders – the defense is always bringing pressure and making plays.

“Something that goes underrated is how much I put on these kids,” Enders said. “It sounds easy to say ‘Blitz ’em.’ I challenge our kids to be students of the game, and they come in at lunch and watch film.

“It gives me the ability to go in and add wrinkles we’ve never practiced before in a game. It’s a credit to those guys. It looks like smoke and mirrors and lot of running round, while playing fast and physical, but they are playing under control and sound football.”

Red Mountain took control of the East Valley Region with the win and sit at 6-1 overall and 2-0 region heading into Friday’s non-conference game against Gilbert.

Running raged

The cross-country season is winding down with district meets coming up before sectional meets on Nov. 5 and 6. The top sectional qualifiers head to the state meet at Cave Creek Golf Course on Nov. 15.

Here is a look at some of the top times recorded from East Valley runners.

Boys

Zarian Rodriguez (Hamilton) 14:52.10

David Williams (Seton Catholic) 15:24.50

Micah Newkirk (Valley Christian) 15:27.80

Crew Comish (Red Mountain) 15:47.70

Maddox Bonilla (Casteel) 15:51.80

Girls

Taylor Drewry (Basha) 17:52.20

Audra Huempfner (Highland) 18:19.80

Audrey O’Connor (Basha) 18:29.90

Malia Salcido (Williams Field) 18:30.50

Natalia Morris (Highland) 18:46.30

Representing AZ

Only one Arizona wrestler who competes for an AIA program placed at one of the nation’s premier off-season wrestling events – Super 32 Challenge in Greensboro, N.C. – last weekend.

Sunnyside heavyweight Zayne Candeleria, a two-time Arizona state champion, finished seventh. He advanced to the quarterfinals in the 32-man bracket after beating opponents from Georgia and South Dakota the first two rounds.

Back in play

At the beginning of the year, Red Mountain senior Kai Jackson was booted out of the running back room.

It had nothing to do with his ability, but depth at running back (six deep) and cornerback (not a lot).

With that in mind, Enders asked Jackson to concentrate on defense and put all of his energy on that side of the ball.

Then injuries – a couple of knees and a couple of collarbones – opened nearly every seat in the room. He was no longer a talented luxury at running back, but RB1.

He’s had two straight 100-yard games as he had three carries for 170 yards and two scores in a blowout over Desert Ridge, but more impressively, he had 28 carries for 161 yards with two touchdowns in the win over the Toros.

Jackson had a total of 24 carries in the first five games, but now he has become the big-play threat – he had a 90-yard run two weeks ago and 60 yards last week – along with being a workhorse.

“He was selfless and moved to focus on being a cornerback, but we were able to move him back,” Enders said. “He’s a little bit fresh because at DB you’re not getting hit every play. It’s a credit to him. It’s rare today to so see kids so unselfish. Everyone wants touches and touchdowns.

“He just wants to win. He’s being rewarded now for being so selfless and all the hard work he has put in over the last four years.”

Proof in the points

The initial flag football rankings came out this week and the East Valley programs were well-represented.

In 6A, Highland came in at No. 1 with Hamilton third, Red Mountain was fourth, Desert Vista was sixth and Mountain View came in at seventh.

Campo Verde was the top team in 5A with Arizona College Preps was fifth.

Eastmark was No. 2 in 4A, while Mesquite came in at sixth, ALA-Gilbert North at seventh and Crismon at eighth.

It is the first year of 4A competition, Scottsdale Christian is the top squad with Gilbert Christian sat at three, Arete Prep came in at five, Valley Christian was seventh and Benjamin Franklin was eighth.

Corona del Sol girls volleyball is ready to reach a different level as the postseason nears for the Aztecs. (By Jason P. Skoda/AZPreps365)

Adjusting on the fly

After breaking inside the top 25 of MaxPreps’ girls volleyball national rankings, Corona de Sol has dropped three matches in recent weeks.

The Aztecs have lost to nationally ranked Xavier, which is at five, and Sunnyslope, once in tournament play and once in region play.

The Aztecs, who were No. 34 in the nation as of Wednesday, won their first 18 matches of the year, and have gone 11-5 since then with two of the defeats coming against out of state programs.

The rotation has changed a bit with the addition of 6-foot-5 junior middle blocker Nola Wallace, who transferred from Desert Vista, as the team pushes toward the end of the regular season.

While Wallace’s role is still being defined, it is clear that senior middle blocker Hayden Conner is the go-to player on most set plays. It can be a lot when everyone in the gym knows the set is probably going to be the one counted on to get the kill.

But the University of the Washington commit relishes in it. She leads all of 6A with 333 kills and ranks 14th in the state.

“I personally don’t mind it – I’m mean I Iove getting sets,” said Conner, who ranked 23rd in the nation in hitting percentage (.477). “I want to be the one getting kills all the time. I guess there’s pressure, but it is a sport I signed up for. I enjoy it and I love to lead. If the play runs through me, that just means more kills.”