By Caleb Peckham
The Knights approach the last game of the regular season on a high note, riding a four-game winning streak and sporting a 7-2 record. After tough losses in the middle of the season to Arizona Lutheran and Scottsdale Christian, Tempe Prep has come back strong, crushing the competition. In fact, TPA has outscored its last four opponents by 138 points.
Tempe Prep has a chance to build on its momentum on Friday against undefeated Northwest Christian. The Crusaders are once again at the top of Division V football and are looking to gain the top seeding in the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. The Knights would like to put a blemish on Northwest’s record and avenge two brutal losses last year. In 2011, TPA came into the last game of the season against Northwest in a similar position but were unable to keep up with the Crusaders in that contest or in the second round of the playoffs.
Much has changed in a year, and the Knights are poised to knock Northwest from its perch. The stars of last year’s team have graduated, and the current team’s offense is not as consistent against tough opponents, with the team barely eking out wins over Yuma Catholic and Scottsdale Christian. In recent games, however, track star Hunter McShanag has turned on the afterburners, averaging 100 yards per game and 10 yards per carry.
The Knights come into the match with the offense hitting its stride at the right point of the season. Running back Levi Hartzler has rushed for over 700 yards on the season, averaging over eight yards a carry, scoring 11 touchdowns and punishing would-be tacklers. In addition, quarterback Forest Redlin has contributed 12 rushing touchdowns and is second on the team in total yards.
The defense has gained strength recently and held opponents to a total of only six points in the last four games before letting up in the fourth quarter against San Tan Foothills. Eddy LeBeau and Hartzler are defensive stalwarts, continuing to lead the team in tackles and sacks.
Senior Ben Gilloon is confident that TPA is prepared to go far in November’s playoffs. “We have a great team which is just filled with guys who committed to lifting in the off-season, making us stronger than the other teams.” LeBeau is similarly certain about the Knights’ abilities, remarking, “The team this year is the most talented team we have ever had, and we have the potential to achieve great things.”