Ironwood Ridge senior running back Nick Brahler has become a force in Arizona prep football. He gained 246 yards and scored four touchdowns in a thrilling 42-35 victory over rising power Marana on Friday. You could almost see this coming. At midseason, 2016, Brahler became a starter at Ironwood Ridge, gaining 797 yards in his last five games. One of the special items about Ironwood Ridge’s come-from-behind victory Friday was that Nighthawks coach Matt Johnson placed a green “VF” sticker on the helmet of each of his players. It was to honor the late Vern Friedli, who was Johnson’s coach and mentor at Amphitheater 27 years ago.
Contact sports columnist Greg Hansen at 520-573-4362 or ghansen@tucson.com. On Twitter: @ghansen711