I had the opportunity to interview Sabino football coach Ryan McBrayer over the weekend following the Sabercats’ 29-20 win at Show Low on Friday in the opening round of the 3A state playoffs.
McBrayer, who is 38-11 in his fifth season as head coach at his alma mater, discussed his ninth-seeded team in the 3A playoffs led by sophomore quarterback Cameron Hackworth and a tough, balanced defense heading into Friday’s quarterfinal game at No. 1 seed ALA-Gilbert North.
Here is the podcast:
An interesting note of Sabino’s long, almost four-hour trip to Show Low on Friday — the Sabercats were graciously allowed to use Globe’s field to stretch their legs at halfway through. They ate lunch and continued to Show Low. They did not return to Sabino until the early morning hours but it was a fun, restful trip back after the win.
McBrayer’s four years of playoff coaching experience at Sabino have included wins in the opening rounds each time with a 3A semifinals appearance in 2018 the furthest trek.
Some of the standouts from Sabino’s win over Show Low:
— QB Cameron Hackworth, a sophomore, completed 16 of 23 passes for 200 yards with three TDs, and he rushed for 53 yards on eight carries.
— RB Kenneth Blackman, a senior, rushed for 81 yards on nine carries with a TD.
— WR/DB Derek Sanchez, a senior, finished with five receptions for 60 yards and a TD and an interception.
— WR/DB Kamden Gambrell, a senior, had a 56-yard TD reception, and he had eight tackles.
— LB Zachary Tolson, a senior, had 15 tackles.
— LB Marius Lester, a senior, finished with 10 tackles.
— LB Mason Cade, a sophomore, tallied two sacks.
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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He is a former Arizona Daily Star beat reporter for the Arizona basketball team, including when the Wildcats won the 1996-97 NCAA title. He has also written articles for CollegeAD.com, Bleacher Report, Lindy’s Sports, TucsonCitizen.com, The Arizona Republic, Sporting News and Baseball America, among many other publications. He has also authored the book “The Highest Form of Living”, which is available at Amazon. He became an educator five years ago and is presently a special education teacher at Gallego Fine Arts Intermediate in the Sunnyside Unified School District
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