Thanks for checking out my new blog here on AIA365.  As far as know it’s the only 6G blog available, but then again I’m sure someone will be launching a 7G blog before long!  The purpose of this blog is to inform, offer up opinion and from time to time entertain, so that’s why in naming the blog I tried to convey some of that attitude.  Sports are afterall supposed to be fun and entertaining.

 We get the blog-a-palooza started by talking a little football.  The 2^nd annual Fiesta Bowl 7 on 7 was held at Pinnacle high school on Friday & Saturday and fans were treated to some great play from the teams who competed.  As the NFL continues to deal with their labor issues fans are eager to get their football fix and this weekend provided them with a good outlet.  These kind of tournaments and leagues are all the rage across the country and most teams will play in at least 2 or more of these kind of events as they prepare for the upcoming season.  While there are no power points gained or lost in these games it makes them no less intense in the eyes of the coaches and players. 

 This weekend’s tournament featured some of the top teams from around the state as 3A defending champ, Show Low made the trip down to take part against some of the big boys of the valley.  They joined the likes of Marcos De Niza, host school Pinnacle, Betty Fairfax, Paradise Valley, Gilbert, Brophy & Mountain View.  Speaking of the Toros it gave many of us the first chance to see just how different the Toros are going to be looking this Fall. There are several teams who will be ushering in a new head coach but none more prominent than the Mtn View Toros who were able to wrestle Chad Degriener away from Cactus Shadows and convince him to come bring his wide open style of play to the East Valley.

 At Cactus Shadows, Degriener’s teams racked up big numbers on the field, scoreboard and win column so his arrival at Mtn. View has been met with great anticipation for those in Toro nation.  They feel their once dominant program has been supplanted by the Chandler schools and they’re hopeful that Degriener can return the football team to elite level once again.  In talking to the new Toro coach for a few minutes on Saturday he said, “right now we’re crawling, but we’re making progress.”  You can bet that by the time the season kicks off that his club will be in a full sprint as they look to acclimate themselves to a more wide open offense than they’ve been accustomed to.

 I also had a chance to catch up with Scooter Molander from Brophy and Donnie Yantis from Paradise Valley this weekend.  Both coaches are eager for the new season to begin.  Both the Trojans and Broncos were forced to play a lot of underclassmen in 2010 and suffered some lumps as a result, but all of those players are now seasoned vets and should see big dividends from their baptism by fire last season.  Be sure and check out the interviews with each coach on the site for their thoughts on the tournament, the upcoming season and more. 

 No coach was happier than Roy Lopez of Marcos De Niza who for the 2^nd straight year watched his club bring home the 1^st place finish with a gritty 13-12 win over Pinnacle in the championship.  Lopez has established the Padres as a team that brings their lunch pails every game and you better be ready to play.  Even without the pads on the Padres had it dialed up over weekend. 

The biggest winner of the weekend though were the fans who showed up and are as eager as the players and coaches to get the season started.  The good news is that it’s closer than you think with just about 50 days will we get it all kicked off in the Sollenberger Classic.  Between now and then you can bet I’ll take a closer look at some of the teams and players to watch for this Fall and of course you’ll probably be able to see many of them right here on AIA365.  We are looking forward to bringing you some great matchups this fall.  Until then I hope you check back often because even though school is out, the stories never stop.