Friday Night Lights: Catching up with the past couple of weeks

After a “week off,” Friday Night Lights is back!

We won’t delay much longer so let’s dive in to see how Arizona’s commits performed the past two weeks.

---

Noah Fifita, QB, Anaheim (CA) Servite

Last Two Games:

• Sep 17: 44-22 victory over Sierra Canyon
• Sep 24: 42-7 victory over Helix

Game Stats:

• Sep 17: 16-for-27, 228 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT & 12 car, 76 yds, 2 TD
• Sep 24: 17-for-26, 320 yds, 4 TD, 0 INT & 5 car, 26 yds, 1 TD

Season Stats: 83-for-132, 1,417 yds, 16 TD, 2 INT & 30 car, 226 yds, 4 TD

Notes: Fifita continues to dominate this season, even though there are some things to work on, which he would tell you the same thing.

The dynamic passer is completing around 63% of his passes but the key is the lack of turnovers. That shows good vision at the very least. I think it’s more than that though. He has a very good head on his shoulders and is incredibly intelligent. He makes very good decisions with the ball and makes sure to limit his mistakes as much as possible while be effective and efficient.

See below for video of him from the past two games, including several impressive touchdown passes.

SIERRA CANYON RECAP

HELIX RECAP

Jonah Coleman, RB, Stockton (CA) Lincoln

Last Two Games:

• Sep 18: 38-35 victory over Monterey Trail
• Sep 24: 23-21 loss to Downey

Game Stats:

• Sep 18: 10 car, 79 yds, 1 TD
• Sep 24: Unknown

Season Stats (incomplete): 10 car, 79 yds, 1 TD & 3 rec, 49 yds, 2 TD

Notes: Coleman continues to be a big problem for opposing defenses. Both Monterey Trail and Downey had issues bringing him down and containing him.

In both games, he shows very good explosion and change of direction. Coleman is more effective as a downhill runner, but shows an ability to bounce it outside and still gain huge chunks of yardage.

It is very easy to image Coleman getting on the field almost immediately in some compacity when he arrives in Tucson.

Monterey Trail Highlights

DOWNEY HIGHLIGHTS

A.J. Jones, WR, Ontario (CA) Colony

Last Two Games:

• Sep 17: 42-13 loss to Etiwanda
• Sep 24: 47-12 loss to Jurupa Hills

Game Stats:

• Sep 17: Unknown
• Sep 24: Unknown

Season Stats: Unknown

Notes: I was unable to find any video nor stats for Jones.

Keyan Burnett, TE, Anaheim (CA) Servite

Last Two Games:

• Sep 17: 44-22 victory over Sierra Canyon
• Sep 24: 42-7 victory over Helix

Game Stats:

• Sep 17: 2 rec, 25 yds, 1 TD
• Sep 24: Unknown

Season Stats (incomplete): 10 rec, 198 yds, 3 TD

Notes: It’s hard, but every week I become more and more impressed with Burnett. He is a big bodied player, but he moves really well, shows surprising speed for his size, and has very good hands.

Against Sierra Canyon, his TD catch came as he caught the ball around the 6-7-yard line and fought his way across the goalline with 3 defenders on him. He didn’t go down until he crossed the plane, showing very good awareness about where he was on the field.

Burnett’s best play over the last two weeks came against Helix. Near the end of the first half, Fifita threw off his back foot, with a defender in his face, down the sideline where Burnett was running his route. Burnett showed great concentration and vision, tracking the ball with a defender in solid coverage. He made the catch for a huge gain, again, showing good hands. Fifita also deserves credit for perfect ball placement, putting it where only Burnett could get it. GOAZCATS.com editor Matt Moreno had a fantastic angle of that play.

SIERRA CANYON RECAP

HELIX RECAP

Tyler Powell, TE, Phoenix Brophy College Prep

Last Two Games:

• Sep 17: 37-12 loss to Basha
• Sep 24: 20-7 victory over Notre Dame Prep

Game Stats:

• Sep 17: 2 rec, 12 yds
• Sep 24: 2 rec, 6 yds

Season Stats: 10 rec, 91 yds

Notes: I was unable to find any video of Powell from the last two weeks. However, I was able to find stats. Combined, he raked in 4 catches for 18 yards.

Grayson Stovall, OL, Chandler Hamilton

Last Two Games:

• Sep 17: 25-24 victory over Bishop Gorman
• Sep 24: 33-15 victory over Centennial

Game Stats:

• Sep 17: N/A
• Sep 24: N/A

Season Stats: N/A

Notes: Stovall and the Huskies had probably the craziest comeback I’ve seen in some time.

Being down to national powerhouse Bishop Gorman 24-7 with around 2 minutes to go in the game, Stovall and his team scored 18 points in 2 minutes to beat BG 25-24. Insane.

Stovall finally has had some film come out and it’s pretty impressive. He has a strong base and is difficult to move. He uses his efficiently and effectively, knocking his man off balance and driving him to the ground.

Overall, a good addition to the offensive line for Brennan Carroll.

GAMES 1-3 HIGHLIGHTS

Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Honolulu (HI) St. Louis

Last Two Games:

• Sep 18: 41-23 victory over Punahou
• Sep 24: 23-21 loss to Kamehameha Kapalama

Game Stats:

• Sep 18: N/A
• Sep 24: N/A

Season Stats: N/A

Notes: I’m surprised that St. Louis is 1-2. But that’s not the point. We are here to look at Savaiinaea. Luckily I found some highlights of him in action against Kapalama, however, I was unable to embed the video link. You can find them at the link below and they are the very first video on the page. They’re short but enjoy!

KAMEHAMEHA KAPALAMA HIGHLIGHTS

https://www.hudl.com/profile/11284243/Jonah-Savaiinaea

Isaiah Johnson, DL, Chandler

Last Two Games:

• Sep 17: 36-14 victory over O’Connor
• Sep 24: 41-21 victory over Liberty

Game Stats:

• Sep 17: 7 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery
• Sep 24: 4 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack

Season Stats: 21 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries

Notes: Johnson is having a very strong start to his senior season. He is aggressive and strong, but more importantly, he produces.

He has caused a negative play in every one of Chandler’s games so far. He picked up his first sacks of the year the past two weeks. He’s also recovered two fumbles. What else could you ask for in a d-lineman?

There is a quick six second highlight from his game against O’Connor below,

O’CONNOR HIGHLIGHTS

Jermaine Wiggins Jr., DL, Bridgton (ME) Academy

Last Two Games:

• Sep 19: 14-6 victory over Wesleyan University
• Sep 26: 56-21 loss to Columbia University

Game Stats:

• Sep 19: Unknown
• Sep 26: Unknown

Season Stats: Unknown

Notes: I have been unable to find any video or stats of Wiggins.

Russell Davis II, EDGE, Chandler Hamilton

Last Two Games:

• Sep 17: 25-24 victory over Bishop Gorman
• Sep 24: 33-15 victory over Centennial

Game Stats:

• Sep 17: 4 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack
• Sep 24: 6 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble

Season Stats: 23 tackles, 9 TFL, 5 sacks, 1 forced fumble

Notes: Davis has progressively gotten better and better every week.

He was disruptive against Bishop Gorman, getting a sack and pressuring the QB a few times. In fact, the Gaels ended up double-teaming him a few times. He may not be the biggest edge player, but he’s fast and is very good at shedding blocks.

Against Centennial, he was even better. He showed quickness and explosiveness off the snap and earned another two sacks. He also caused his first fumble of the season.

All-in-all, Davis has been a pleasant individual to watch so far this season.

BISHOP GORMAN HIGHLIGHTS

CENTENNIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Tristan Monday, OLB/DE, Scottsdale Saguaro

Last Game (Sep 24): 27-26 loss to Chaparral

Game Stats: 5 tackles, 1 TFL

Season Stats: 18 tackles, 9 TFL, 1 sack

Notes: Monday had a decent game defensively in the Sabercats’ surprising loss to Chaparral.

His highlights, however, show a rare look of Monday on offense. He catches a pass in the flat and just manhandles a would-be tackler before gaining a decent chunk of yards while multiple defenders attempt to take him down. I’m not going to lie, I laughed a little watching it and watched the clip a few times.

CHAPARRAL HIGHLIGHTS

Sterling Lane II, OLB/DE, Westlake Village (CA) Oaks Christian

Last Two Games:

• Sep 16: 28-23 loss to Damien
• Sep 24: 44-0 victory over Brimingham

Game Stats:

• Sep 16: Unknown
• Sep 24: 4 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 forced fumble

Season Stats (incomplete): 31 tackles, 8 TFL, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles

Notes: I wasn’t able to find any stats or video of Lane during OC’s Sep 16 game.

However, there was no shortage of film, or stats, for OC’s first win of the season.

Bottom line: Lane is a force. He his a big, powerful rusher on the edge and can collapse his side of the line in a hurry. Not just that, he blasts through the line and gets into the backfield in the blink of an eye, smacking the ball carrier with a large amount of force. One such play against Birmingham had quite the soundtrack, take a listen.

BIRMINGHAM HIGHLIGHTS

Kyron Chambers, CB, Dallas (TX) South Oak Cliff

Last Two Games:

• Sep 17: 63-7 victory over Hillcrest
• Sep 24: 55-0 victory over Southwest

Game Stats:

• Sep 17: 4 tackles, 1 INT
• Sep 24: 3 tackles, 1 TFL

Season Stats: 11 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT

Notes: Chambers had a wonderful pick-six against Hillcrest two weeks ago. Sitting as the slot corner, he glides over the middle of the field and had the ball delivered right to him. After that he just out ran everybody.

One thing I really enjoy about Chambers’ game is his ability to play the run effectively. Against Southwest, you see Chambers come off the edge on a run blitz and absolutely blows up a running play in the backfield.

HILLCREST HIGHLIGHTS

Tacario Davis, CB, Long Beach (CA) Millikan

Last Two Games:

• Sep 17: 44-0 victory over Jordan
• Sep 24: 42-28 loss to Long Beach Poly

Season Stats: Unknown

Notes: I’m really starting to like what I’m seeing from Davis.

He has snagged two interceptions with long returns the past two weeks. The INT against LBP was very close to being a pick-six. Both came from excellent coverage and vision by Davis. Let’s not forget to mention that he is a legit threat as a wide receiver as well.

Example, near the beginning of the Jordan recap, you see Davis high-point a ball inside the redzone to put his Ram team in a good position to score. Later in that same game, he had a good catch and run for a touchdown. He had a clutch catch and run for a first down during the LBP game as well.

Jordan Recap by the562.org

Long Beach Poly Recap by the562.org

Zeke Berry, ATH, Concord (CA) De La Salle

Last Game (Sep 17): 49-21 victory over Cathedral Catholic

Game Stats: 4 tackles, 1 INT; 9 car, 104 yds, 1 TD

Season Stats (incomplete): 6 tackles, 1 INT; 10 car, 111 yds, 1 TD & 4 rec, 51 yds

Notes: I’m glad I’m finally able to start getting a good look at Berry in action. This kid is something else....an explosive playmaker anywhere on the field.

On offense, he is a quick and explosive runner, getting to the second level in a hurry and busting big runs.

On defense, he is a heat-seeking missile against ball carriers and a patient hawk when making plays against the ball.

I can easily see him playing both sides of the ball in college.

A quick note on his highlights: they start out with a few practice plays but transition into game action quickly. Well worth the short wait.

CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC HIGHLIGHTS

Tyler Martin, LB, Cambridge (MA) Buckingham Browne & Nichols

Notes: It looks like Martin and his team have yet to play this season. I’m very eager to see Arizona’s newest commit in action on the field.