When Saguaro and Thunderbird captured thier state championships last season they also closed the book on a brief bit of high school football history.  Their titles came in the now defunct 4A-1 & 4A-II Divisions.  With the division changes and both now in Division III defense of their crowns could very well come at the expense of the other,not that the fans would be disappointed in getting to see such a matchup.

 The good news is you don't have to wait til late November to see them go at it. Thursday night the champs will meet at Saguaro in an early season D-III marquee matchup.  Both teams are coming off solid opening victories and look every bit the contenders that most feel they are.  While Saguaro no longer has a Ruben in the backfield they do have DJ Foster, an electric playmaker who posesses the same kind of big play capabilities as Davonte Neal of Chaparral.  The Sabercats will put Foster in every imaginable position to get his hands on the ball. 

 Defensively they're always an active group and they limited the Paradise Valley Trojans and their spread attack to 14points in last weeks season opening win.

 For Thunderbird they make no secret about what they're offensive plans are.  Connor Hustead and Kani Benoit will be the workhorses for coach Brent Wittenwyler's club.  The pair accounted for all 4 touchdowns in last weeks season opening win over Desert Edge in a rematch of last years classic playoff thriller.  The Chiefs defense will be tested by Fosters escapability and will have to pursue the football intelligently because of his ability to make cut backs and get to the backside of the defense.   This is a great way to start week 2 of the season so I'd say unless you've got plans head out to Saguaro for a great night of football.