An “overrated” chant was directed towards Sabino quarterback Cameron Hackworth in the early minutes of the Sabercats’ 41-20 win over east-side rival Sahuaro on Friday.
Hackworth then scored all six of Sabino’s touchdowns — five passing, one rushing — to lead the Sabercats to their third straight win over Sahuaro.
“Yeah, I heard the ‘overrated’ chants, but fans in the crowd don’t really get to me,” said Hackworth, who completed 21 of 28 passes for 319 yards. “It’s all about my brothers and what I got going on the field. None of that outside stuff matters to me.”
On Sabino’s second possession, Hackworth gave Sabino a 7-0 edge with a 41-yard touchdown strike. Sahuaro answered with a methodical drive that resulted in Cougars running back Nehemiah Watson scoring on a six-yard run, but the failed two-point conversion kept Sabino in front 7-6 with 11:45 left in the first half.
Sabino scored 27 unanswered points to grab a 34-6 lead entering the fourth quarter. Hackworth also completed touchdown passes to Savaughn Berryhill, Shamar Berryhill, Devon Waxwood and Brit Rosberson. Through three games, Hackworth has 15 all-purpose touchdowns and no interceptions.
“I love when he finds the end zone, because he seems to do it quite a bit,” said Sabino head coach Ryan McBrayer. “He’s the ultimate leader. Sometimes he’s calling his own play and tells me what he sees, so with him and our offensive coordinator Sly Lewis working in tandem, those guys are running a heck of a show.”
Hackworth also had an interception as a defensive back for the Sabercats. Sahuaro scored two late touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including a 25-yard run by Watson, but the Sabercats coasted to their third win of the season.
Sabino is averaging 43 points per game this season.
“Any time you go up against Sahuaro, the juices are flowing,” McBrayer said. “When you look back and have more points than the Sahuaro Cougars, it’s a good day. ... We knew we had our work cut out for us, but when you have special athletes like we do, you just gotta keep it moving.”
Photos: Sabino vs. Sahuaro high school football
Sabino's Shamar Berryhill (4) sips out of the arms of Sahuaro's Antonio Arellano (32) picking up extra yards on a catch and run in the third quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
The ball slips through the hands of Sahuaro's Treshon Birch (2) and into grip of Sabino's Cameron Hackworth (1) for an interception in the third quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022. The Sabercats rolled in dropping the Cougars 41-20.
Sahuaro's players file past a row of Sabino jerseys as they head into unfriendly territory for a road-game at arch rival Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
Sabino's Jeremy Gigstad (81) out jumps Sahuaro's Jaylin Grigsby (3) to the throw to set up the Sabercats inside the five yard line late in the fourth quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
The Litter Box gets loud and colorful cheering on the second half kickoff of the against Sahuaro at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
Sabino's Brit Roberson (19) runs out of the arms of Sahuaro's Daniel Cruz (11) after his catch in the first quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
Sabino's Andres Baca (2) looks for a hole in the Sahuaro line on a run in the third quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
Sahuaro's Vincenzo Orlando (1) throws to a receiver at the sidelines looking for first down yardage against Sabino in the first quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
Sahuaro's head coach Al Alexander talks to his Cougars as they swap units in the first quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
Star quarterback Cameron Hackworth leads Sabino into a Class 3A showdown against Pusch Ridge Christian on Friday night.
Sabino's head coach Ryan McBrayer tries to get his Sabercats sorted out against Sahuaro in the third quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
Sahuaro's Vince Manata (55) celebrates with running back Nehemiah Watson (4) after he scooted into the end zone in the second quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
Sabino's Max Trainer (21) takes Sahuaro's Jamell Webb (17) off his feet, stopping his run up the middle in the third quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
Sabino's Cameron Hackworth (1) runs into Sahuaro's Isaiah Perez (8) on a draw play in the second quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
Sahuaro's Christopher Apalategui (80) can't bring down the throw with Sabino's Brit Roberson (19) defending him late in the fourth quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
Sabino's Chandler Perry (18) holds on as he helps bring down Sahuaro's Angel Hightower (5) in the fourth quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
Sabino's Cameron Hackworth (1) dodges his way to the end zone, scoring against Sahuaro in the second quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
Pusch Ridge Christian stays perfect
Pusch Ridge Christian scored three third-quarter touchdowns to break away from Catalina Foothills and cruise to a 34-9 win on Friday night. The Lions improved to 4-0.
Pusch Ridge Christian trailed 9-7 at the half when quarterback Bubba Mustain went to work. He gave the Lions a 13-9 lead with a 32-yard run. Bryce Jewell then intercepted a Falcons pass, returning it for a touchdown. Mustain capped the quarter with a 60-yard touchdown pass to his brother, Tyler.
Pusch Ridge tacked on a fourth-quarter score to win by 25.
The Lions will play Benson on Friday and at Thatcher the following week before a Sept. 30 home game against Sabino.
Photos: Sabino vs. Sahuaro high school football
Sabino's Shamar Berryhill (4) sips out of the arms of Sahuaro's Antonio Arellano (32) picking up extra yards on a catch and run in the third quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
The ball slips through the hands of Sahuaro's Treshon Birch (2) and into grip of Sabino's Cameron Hackworth (1) for an interception in the third quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022. The Sabercats rolled in dropping the Cougars 41-20.
Sahuaro's players file past a row of Sabino jerseys as they head into unfriendly territory for a road-game at arch rival Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
Sabino's Jeremy Gigstad (81) out jumps Sahuaro's Jaylin Grigsby (3) to the throw to set up the Sabercats inside the five yard line late in the fourth quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
The Litter Box gets loud and colorful cheering on the second half kickoff of the against Sahuaro at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
Sabino's Brit Roberson (19) runs out of the arms of Sahuaro's Daniel Cruz (11) after his catch in the first quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
Sabino's Andres Baca (2) looks for a hole in the Sahuaro line on a run in the third quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
Sahuaro's Vincenzo Orlando (1) throws to a receiver at the sidelines looking for first down yardage against Sabino in the first quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
Sahuaro's head coach Al Alexander talks to his Cougars as they swap units in the first quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
Star quarterback Cameron Hackworth leads Sabino into a Class 3A showdown against Pusch Ridge Christian on Friday night.
Sabino's head coach Ryan McBrayer tries to get his Sabercats sorted out against Sahuaro in the third quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
Sahuaro's Vince Manata (55) celebrates with running back Nehemiah Watson (4) after he scooted into the end zone in the second quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
Sabino's Max Trainer (21) takes Sahuaro's Jamell Webb (17) off his feet, stopping his run up the middle in the third quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
Sabino's Cameron Hackworth (1) runs into Sahuaro's Isaiah Perez (8) on a draw play in the second quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
Sahuaro's Christopher Apalategui (80) can't bring down the throw with Sabino's Brit Roberson (19) defending him late in the fourth quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
Sabino's Chandler Perry (18) holds on as he helps bring down Sahuaro's Angel Hightower (5) in the fourth quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
Sabino's Cameron Hackworth (1) dodges his way to the end zone, scoring against Sahuaro in the second quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2022.
