The Glendale Star
12
December 2, 2021
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Glendale hopes to advance to state finals BY KEATON MALLORY Glendale Star Staff Writer
After playing in and winning its first two playoff home games in 30 years, Glendale High School football now finds itself on the road for the semifinals. By defeating Coconino and Canyon del Oro, GHS will now take on Poston Butte, the No. 1-ranked team in the 4A conference. GHS hopes to upset Poston Butte at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, to make its way to the state championship. GHS is ranked fourth in the conference. However, head coach Robert York and his team do not necessarily see themselves as underdogs. “We don’t really talk about being
underdogs or anything throughout the week,’’ York said. “We just keep practice as normal as possible.” While Glendale started out the season with a loss, it has since won 11 in a row. Poston Butte is also on a winning streak of its own. They have won their last seven games, including a blowout win in the quarterfinals versus Prescott, the only team to beat Glendale this year. But since that week one loss against Prescott, Glendale has grown as a team and has turned into contenders for the 4A state championship game. “We’re a completely different team than we were in week one,” York said. “But I mean, Poston Butte is No. 1 for a reason. They have size, speed and
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strength and they’re a very tough team, and it’ll be a good matchup.” Both teams have strong offenses and defenses. Glendale glorifies its ability to have a balanced attack on offense, while Poston Butte is more of a run-heavy team. Glendale’s offense is led by sophomore quarterback Zechariah Owens and senior running back Keyon Walker, both of whom have more than 1,100 yards rushing and double-digit rushing touchdowns on the year. Also add to that, Owens’ 1,700 yards passing along with 18 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Owens is a dual-threat quarterback, and his ability to pass and run the ball allows for their balanced offense to succeed as well as it does. On the other hand, Poston Butte runs the ball. It amassed 54 rushing touchdowns on the year, with 18 coming from senior running back Octavious Joe. Joe averages almost 10 yards per carry and has run for Glendale High School quarterback Zechariah Owens over 1,700 yards on the sea- and running back Keyon Walker hope to beat Poston on Friday, Dec. 3. (Photo courtesy of Glendale son. Other offensive leaders Butte High School) include senior running back Keith Gray and senior quarterback what they want to do is run, and we’re Drew Dalmacio, who have run for going to do the best we can to take that eight touchdowns and 15 touchdowns, away from them.” respectively, with each gathering 600 With both teams having strong offenyards or more on the ground. sive and defensive lines, York said he With a run game as strong as Pos- believes the game will come down to ton Butte, each of its opponents had that. the same goal as Glendale — to shut “It’s going to be a battle in the it down. York is hoping that they’ll be trenches,” York said. “We’re going to able to accomplish that come Friday. try to keep it balanced on offense and “We want to be able to take away keep them on their toes, but it’s going what they’re good at,” York said. to come down to the war at the line of “They can throw the ball as well, but scrimmage.”
