9/2: Brophy vs. Boulder Creek - FSN Webcast
10/6: Brophy vs. Westview - FSN
10/14: Brophy vs. St. Mary's - FSN
10/28: Brophy @ Pinnacle - AIA365.com
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Nuggets from Mountain Ridge game
Big Day on Offense
In his first game back from an ankle injury, quarterback Tyler Bruggman missed a few throws, but still carved up the Mountain Ridge secondary in a 32-0 blowout win. Bruggman was 15-for-25, throwing for 276 yards and three scores in the opening night win. Devon Allen had three catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. Allen had a nice one-handed grab along the sideline. The team also tried running Allen on a couple reverses, but they gained only a few yards.
Fred Gammage had 84 yards receiving and a score, while Auran stepped up as well with 87 yards and a touchdown. Auran had a nice 56-yard touchdown where he broke a few tackles and jolted down the sideline for the easy score. Running back D'Amani Grayer, stepping up for the injured Marche Dennard, had 7 carries for 78 yards. Andrew Simon, who transferred from Maryland ran for a touchdown.
Dominance over Mountain Ridge
Brophy shut out Mountain Ridge - again. In 2009, Brophy knocked off the Mountain Lions 24-0 in the first round of a playoff game. It is also the fourth consecutive season Brophy beat Mt. Ridge. Two of those four victories have come in the playoffs.
2010 records
Devon Allen set Brophy single-season records in catches (60) and receiving yards (915) in 2010 as a sophomore. Allen should break the school all-time records for both categories this season. Allen could also break the arizona high school football records later in his career. The most catches is 176, while receiving yards is 2,581 for 5A. I'm not sure how records will translate due to the new divisional format versus the previous class format.
Charlie Beck set the single-season sack record last season (14) for Brophy, although defensive stats weren't officially recorded before 2004. Even though Beck played just one season, he is third on the all-time sack list behind Trent Murhpy and Mike Tree.
Jersey Switches
The two most notable jersey switches were Tyler Bruggman and Allen. There were plenty of others too. Allen switched his number from 85 to 13, while Bruggman switched his from 14 to 11.
Playing both sides of the ball
Allen and Gammage each played a few plays on defense. Gammage got a pick on the defensive side, along with linebacker Andrew Curtis and safety Robert Relf. Curtis also played some at tight end.
Starting Kicking Battle Continues
Clarence Clark and Zach Hudson continue to duke it out for the starting kicking position. Brophy was hurt by poor kicking in 2010; the two most important games were lost based on kicking.
Clark went 2-for-3 on extra points, while Hudson made his PAT. Hudson was 1-for-2 on field goals.
Brophy All-time
Brophy's all-time record coming into 2011: 402-258-16 (60.9%). The all-time series record vs. St. Mary's: 23-30. It'll be a decade before Brophy can finally tie this thing up. Scooter Molander has the best winning percentage among any Brophy football coach (75.9%).
In his first game back from an ankle injury, quarterback Tyler Bruggman missed a few throws, but still carved up the Mountain Ridge secondary in a 32-0 blowout win. Bruggman was 15-for-25, throwing for 276 yards and three scores in the opening night win. Devon Allen had three catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. Allen had a nice one-handed grab along the sideline. The team also tried running Allen on a couple reverses, but they gained only a few yards.
Fred Gammage had 84 yards receiving and a score, while Auran stepped up as well with 87 yards and a touchdown. Auran had a nice 56-yard touchdown where he broke a few tackles and jolted down the sideline for the easy score. Running back D'Amani Grayer, stepping up for the injured Marche Dennard, had 7 carries for 78 yards. Andrew Simon, who transferred from Maryland ran for a touchdown.
Dominance over Mountain Ridge
Brophy shut out Mountain Ridge - again. In 2009, Brophy knocked off the Mountain Lions 24-0 in the first round of a playoff game. It is also the fourth consecutive season Brophy beat Mt. Ridge. Two of those four victories have come in the playoffs.
2010 records
Devon Allen set Brophy single-season records in catches (60) and receiving yards (915) in 2010 as a sophomore. Allen should break the school all-time records for both categories this season. Allen could also break the arizona high school football records later in his career. The most catches is 176, while receiving yards is 2,581 for 5A. I'm not sure how records will translate due to the new divisional format versus the previous class format.
Charlie Beck set the single-season sack record last season (14) for Brophy, although defensive stats weren't officially recorded before 2004. Even though Beck played just one season, he is third on the all-time sack list behind Trent Murhpy and Mike Tree.
Jersey Switches
The two most notable jersey switches were Tyler Bruggman and Allen. There were plenty of others too. Allen switched his number from 85 to 13, while Bruggman switched his from 14 to 11.
Playing both sides of the ball
Allen and Gammage each played a few plays on defense. Gammage got a pick on the defensive side, along with linebacker Andrew Curtis and safety Robert Relf. Curtis also played some at tight end.
Starting Kicking Battle Continues
Clarence Clark and Zach Hudson continue to duke it out for the starting kicking position. Brophy was hurt by poor kicking in 2010; the two most important games were lost based on kicking.
Clark went 2-for-3 on extra points, while Hudson made his PAT. Hudson was 1-for-2 on field goals.
Brophy All-time
Brophy's all-time record coming into 2011: 402-258-16 (60.9%). The all-time series record vs. St. Mary's: 23-30. It'll be a decade before Brophy can finally tie this thing up. Scooter Molander has the best winning percentage among any Brophy football coach (75.9%).
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Brophy has the weapons to avenge poor 2010 showing
By Justin Janssen
A 6-6 season at most schools is considered mediocre. At Brophy, six losses has people scratching their heads, looking for explanation. Head coach Scooter Molander had gone 54-13 with Brophy before 2010. Losing to arch-rival St. Mary's for the first time in eight years was beyond unthinkable. The current players are ready for a bounce-back season.
Offense
Even though Brophy is switching back to a pro-style offense from the spread, according to a team source, the Broncos still have the offensive firepower to return to University of Phoenix stadium.
Receiver Devon Allen, who anchored Brophy's first ever state championship track team, is a threat anytime he touches the ball. Allen caught 60 passes for 915 yards and six touchdowns - as a sophomore.
Fred Gammage caught 41 passes for 462 yards and hauled in four touchdowns. He also played quarterback when Tyler Bruggman went down with an injury. Read more on that here.
Running back Marche Dennard, the fourth Dennard brother to play football at Brophy, is nursing a foot injury, and will not be ready for the season opener. Dennard came on strong late in the 2010 season, rushing for 210 yards and three scores on 28 carries. Before that, he was mainly used on Boise State's patented "Statue of Liberty" play.
Going back to a pro-style offense means the team will be now be playing with a tight end, most likely Andrew Curtis or Robert Relf.
The offensive line has two returning starters in Alex Rosner and Charlie Renfree. Dominic Riccitelli could also play on the offensive line this year.
Defense
The secondary is expected to be the strength of the defense. Matt Cahal led the team with five interceptions last year, including three against Red Mountain. Safety Jake Faust had 63 tackles, but did not deflect an opposing pass. Relf switched from linebacker to strong safety in the summer. Relf led the team in tackles (113).
With Relf and Andy Hale switching positions, the linebackers have two first year starters in Zach Zemer and Jack Stamets. Outside linebacker Andrew Curtis came on strong last year after recovering from a neck injury. Curtis had 71 tackles in 7 games including 32 in the postseason.
The defensive line will be hurt by the loss of end Charlie Beck. Beck recorded 14 sacks in 2010 and had 93 tackles. The rest of the team had 16 sacks. Riccitelli had 43 tackles and 4 sacks as a sophomore. Sean Luther and Michael Mosharrafa are expected to be the other starters on the line.
Special Teams
Brophy's special teams, most notably the kicking position, was their Achilles heel all last season. The kicking game cost Brophy two games - the two most important ones.
Against St. Mary's, Brophy missed a field goal and an extra point. At the end of the game, coach Molander decides to go for it with fourth and 10 at St. Mary's 10-yard line. The team does not convert the fourth down play; a field goal would have sent the game into overtime.
In a one-point loss to Mountain Pointe in the quarterfinals, Brophy missed two extra points and also missed a potential game-winning field goal in the last minute of the game. The defense did not allow a touchdown all game despite the Pride having exceptional field position most of the night.
Not much is known about Zach Hudson, who will be Brophy's kicker for 2011.
The other special team units are more reliable. Allen returns kicks (25 yards/return), and Auran punts (33 yards/punt). Auran also plays wide reciever.
Offensive Starters Returning - 5 (Bruggman, Allen, Gammage, Rosner, Renfree).
Defensive Starters Returning - 6 (Cahal, Faust, Relf, Curtis, Riccitelli, Mosharrafa).
A 6-6 season at most schools is considered mediocre. At Brophy, six losses has people scratching their heads, looking for explanation. Head coach Scooter Molander had gone 54-13 with Brophy before 2010. Losing to arch-rival St. Mary's for the first time in eight years was beyond unthinkable. The current players are ready for a bounce-back season.
Offense
Even though Brophy is switching back to a pro-style offense from the spread, according to a team source, the Broncos still have the offensive firepower to return to University of Phoenix stadium.
Receiver Devon Allen, who anchored Brophy's first ever state championship track team, is a threat anytime he touches the ball. Allen caught 60 passes for 915 yards and six touchdowns - as a sophomore.
Fred Gammage caught 41 passes for 462 yards and hauled in four touchdowns. He also played quarterback when Tyler Bruggman went down with an injury. Read more on that here.
Running back Marche Dennard, the fourth Dennard brother to play football at Brophy, is nursing a foot injury, and will not be ready for the season opener. Dennard came on strong late in the 2010 season, rushing for 210 yards and three scores on 28 carries. Before that, he was mainly used on Boise State's patented "Statue of Liberty" play.
Going back to a pro-style offense means the team will be now be playing with a tight end, most likely Andrew Curtis or Robert Relf.
The offensive line has two returning starters in Alex Rosner and Charlie Renfree. Dominic Riccitelli could also play on the offensive line this year.
Defense
The secondary is expected to be the strength of the defense. Matt Cahal led the team with five interceptions last year, including three against Red Mountain. Safety Jake Faust had 63 tackles, but did not deflect an opposing pass. Relf switched from linebacker to strong safety in the summer. Relf led the team in tackles (113).
With Relf and Andy Hale switching positions, the linebackers have two first year starters in Zach Zemer and Jack Stamets. Outside linebacker Andrew Curtis came on strong last year after recovering from a neck injury. Curtis had 71 tackles in 7 games including 32 in the postseason.
The defensive line will be hurt by the loss of end Charlie Beck. Beck recorded 14 sacks in 2010 and had 93 tackles. The rest of the team had 16 sacks. Riccitelli had 43 tackles and 4 sacks as a sophomore. Sean Luther and Michael Mosharrafa are expected to be the other starters on the line.
Special Teams
Brophy's special teams, most notably the kicking position, was their Achilles heel all last season. The kicking game cost Brophy two games - the two most important ones.
Against St. Mary's, Brophy missed a field goal and an extra point. At the end of the game, coach Molander decides to go for it with fourth and 10 at St. Mary's 10-yard line. The team does not convert the fourth down play; a field goal would have sent the game into overtime.
In a one-point loss to Mountain Pointe in the quarterfinals, Brophy missed two extra points and also missed a potential game-winning field goal in the last minute of the game. The defense did not allow a touchdown all game despite the Pride having exceptional field position most of the night.
Not much is known about Zach Hudson, who will be Brophy's kicker for 2011.
The other special team units are more reliable. Allen returns kicks (25 yards/return), and Auran punts (33 yards/punt). Auran also plays wide reciever.
Offensive Starters Returning - 5 (Bruggman, Allen, Gammage, Rosner, Renfree).
Defensive Starters Returning - 6 (Cahal, Faust, Relf, Curtis, Riccitelli, Mosharrafa).
Monday, August 22, 2011
Brophy finally has their QB, and without the drama
By Justin Janssen
There's an old football cliche, "If you have two quarterbacks, you actually have none."
For the first time since Bryan Berens, Brophy Prep has a crystal clear situation at quarterback without any controversy. Berens was the starting QB for the only two state championship teams (2005 and 2007).
Junior Tyler Bruggman is by without a doubt, Brophy's starting QB. As a sophomore, Bruggman threw for 1304 yards with 11 TDs and 6 interceptions before injuring his ankle in a "freak accident" the day before a game.
Scouts and sportswriters are high on Bruggman. "[Bruggman is] returning from a broken ankle suffered in mid-October, has worked hard to put himself among the state's elite quarterbacks," said Richard Obert of The Arizona Republic. "Strong, accurate arm, smart, manages the game well." Jason Jewell, scout.com's southwest recruiting expert rates Bruggman as the sixth best QB prospect in Arizona (and first among juniors).
The stability Bruggman brings to the most important position in sports for Brophy is a blessing for a program that has had 7 QBs in the past three years.
In summary:
2008: Brophy used two different quarterbacks, substituting them in even in the middle of drives.
2009: There was controversy over three different quarterbacks Chase Knox, Garrett Wilson, and Billy Freeman. Freeman transferred to Red Mountain where he would switch positions, while Knox started throughout the season, but many felt Wilson was not given a fair shot at the starting gig.
2010: Knox transferred two days before the season begam because coach Scooter Molander wanted him to split time with sophomore Tyler Bruggman. Bruggman hurt his ankle in what was described as a "freak injury" midway through the season.
In order to get some playing time for his last gig, Wilson, who switched positions, was out for the season a couple weeks before, leaving receiver Fred Gammage at the helm. Gammage held up the fort for the remainder of the season and played surprisingly well, considering the position switch, and led Brophy to the quarterfinals.
Bruggman has all the weapons to succeed in 2011. Speedster Devon Allen caught 60 passes for 915 yards and six scores. According to The East Valley Tribune, the 60 catches and 915 yards are school records. Gammage caught 41 passes for 462 yards and hauled in four touchdowns. Almost all of those numbers for Gammage came in the first half of the season because he had switched positions. Marche Dennard was Brophy's X-factor last season, mainly being used in trick plays, but he ran for more than six yards a carry.
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