Dysart, Valley Vista set to make history

The Dysart and Valley Vista football teams are set to make history Friday night.

Josh Mitchell will make his coaching debut as Dysart visits Lake Havasu in the non-region opener for both schools.

Valley Vista will play its first varsity game in school history when the Monsoon host Boulder Creek in a Class 5A Division 2 Northwest Region contest in Surprise.

“I know the adminstration has a lot of big plans for the game,” said Jason Wilke, who will make his coaching debut for Valley Vista. “I’ve been so busy getting ready for the game that I don’t know what’s going on.”

The Valley Vista opener will feature fireworks before and after the contest as well as after every Monsoon score, said Scott Kerr, athletic director. City dignitaries have also been invited to the contest.

BOULDER CREEK AT VALLEY VISTA

Sophomore Aaron Seifert will get the start at quarterback for Valley Vista and share time at that position with junior Josh Garcia.

“Aaron is one of our better linebackers and we want to make sure he sees time at that position as well,” said Wilke, who came to Valley Vista after leading Glendale to back-to-back playoff berths the last two seasons.

The coach said his team will rely on a ball-control offense designed to consume time off the clock against the opposition.

The Monsoon ran the offense to perfection during a 10-play, 34-yard drive against Valley Christian in a scrimmage last Friday.

“We only got two first downs on the drive, but we kept pounding it in there,” Wilke said.

Sophomore Isaiah Steele will handle much of the rushing load for the Monsoon.

Boulder Creek went 2-8 last season while playing an independent schedule. Among their defeats was a 33-15 loss to Willow Canyon to end the season.

Kickoff is slated at 7 p.m. Valley Vista High School is located at 15550 North Parkview Place.

DYSART AT LAKE HAVASU

Dysart will have a chance to unveil its new fly offense against Lake Havasu.

The misdirection run offense is a variation of the old Wing T and can be used in various offensive sets.

“It requires a lot of precision and puts the receivers in motion all the time,” Mitchell said. “In fact, we call our receivers sweepers, not receivers.

“I like to have a 50-50 split between run and pass when it’s working the way it should.”

The new formation takes advantage of Dysart’s team speed, a major attribute, the coach said.

Lake Havasu finished 1-10 last season. The Knights’ lone victory came in a 16-7 win against Kellis.

Dysart went 1-9 last season under coach Abraham Johnson. The Demons downed Cortez 27-14 for their lone win.

Kickoff is scheduled at 7 p.m.