Sabino entered the season to some as the preseason No. 1 high school football team in Arizona’s Class 3A conference.
The 2023 schedule didn’t turn out perfect for the Sabercats, but that doesn’t matter now; they will look to end the year on that high note, as a state champion, Saturday night in Phoenix.
While at least one other Tucson-area team will have a shot at a state title — games featuring Salpointe, Mica Mountain and Canyon del Oro were ongoing as the Star went to press Friday night — it is Sabino who can get their first with a win over high-scoring Surprise Paradise Honors.
Such a win by the Sabercats would be the first such championship by a Southern Arizona school since 2015.
Sabino’s Shamar Berryhill (4) runs routes with the specialists getting warmed up at sundown for the Sabercats’ game against Round Valley in the second round of the state 3A playoffs at Sabino High School on Nov. 9. In helping the Sabercats reach the 3A state title round, Berryhill has caught 72 passes for 1,315 yards and 18 touchdowns across Sabino’s 13 games so far this season.
3A state championship
No. 4 Sabino (10-3) vs. No. 3 Surprise Paradise Honors (11-2)
Kickoff: Approximately 6 p.m.
Location: Mountain Pointe HS; 4201 E. Knox Road, Phoenix
Sabino senior quarterback Cameron Hackworth looks to lead the Sabercats to their fourth state championship and the school’s first since 1998, as well as set another Southern Arizona record.
According to AllSportsTucson.com, Hackworth, with 8,681 passing yards, is closing in on former Catalina Foothills signal caller Rhett Rodriguez’s Southern Arizona record of 8,694 yards. Hackworth already holds the Southern Arizona career touchdown record with 95, having passed second-place Marana alum Trenton Bourguet, the likely starting quarterback for ASU when the Sun Devils face rival Arizona earlier in the day Saturday in Tempe.
Sabino got here by defeating top seed Bullhead City Mohave for the second time in four weeks in the semifinals, 30-16 last week in Mesa.
The Sabino bench, including head coach Ryan McBrayer, right, celebrates after the Sabercats held firm on a Mohave fourth-and-goal attempt to cling to a four-point lead in the final minutes their Oct. 27 matchup at Sabino High School.
In the other corner, it’s senior quarterback Gage Baker who leads Paradise Honors. The Panthers aren’t defensive specialists; they gave up 56 points last week, 35 in the second round and 49 and 56 in their two losses.
But they also have scored 64 and 77 earlier this season before dropping 72 on No. 2 Chandler Valley Christian last week.
Baker threw for nine touchdowns and for a 3A record 686 last week. His 44 competitions in the semifinals is an all-class state record and the ninth-best ever nationally, and he became the first 5,000-yard passer in one season in the state.
Last week, he also passed Phoenix Pinnacle alum Spencer Rattler for second on the state’s career passing charts with 11,277 yards. He leads the nation in passing yards and touchdowns (84, which is a state record) for the 2023 season.
VIDEO: Pusch Ridge Christian Academy's Elliot Lovett 5-yard touchdown reception during the Lions' 40-27 loss to Sabino High School on Sept. 29, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Pusch Ridge Christian Academy quarterback Bubba Mustain scores on a 1-yard touchdown run during the Lions' 40-27 loss to Sabino High School on Sept. 29, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Pusch Ridge Christian Academy quarterback Bubba Mustain scores on a 10-yard touchdown run during the Lions' 40-27 loss to Sabino High School on Sept. 29, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Sabino High School's Brit Roberson scores on a 13-yard touchdown reception during the Sabercats' 40-27 win over Pusch Ridge Christian Academy on Sept. 29, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Sabino High School's Max Trainer scores on a 5-yard touchdown reception during the Sabercats' 40-27 win over Pusch Ridge Christian Academy on Sept. 29, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Sabino High School quarterback Cameron Hackworth keeps it himself and runs for a 67-yard touchdown during the Sabercats' 40-27 win over Pusch Ridge Christian Academy on Sept. 29, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Sabino High School's Jack Skaggs forces a fumble during the Sabercats' 40-27 win over Pusch Ridge Christian Academy on Sept. 29, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Sabino High School running back Mason Cade takes the snap himself and scores on the goal line keeper during the Sabercats' 40-27 win over Pusch Ridge Christian Academy on Sept. 29, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
