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With a blowout 42-6 victory over Eldorado on Thursday night, Desert Pines clinched a home game in the first round of the 4A playoffs next week.
Not bad for a program that was only elevated back to the higher level this season, even if it’s also not exactly where the Jaguars set their goals at the beginning of the season.
“We’re disappointed we didn’t win the league but we did that to ourselves,” Desert Pines coach Tico Rodriguez said. “But we’ll take the No. 2 seed and look forward to a home playoff game next week.”
The two-time defending 3A state champions will open their run in the 4A postseason against Centennial next week. That sets up a potential showdown with perennial power and old sort-of rival Arbor View in the region semifinals.
The meeting could have been delayed if Desert Pines defeated Canyon Springs, but it never had the chance. That was the game the Jaguars were forced to forfeit after a brawl with Liberty.
They blew out most everyone else in the Northeast Division though — including the Sundevils on Thursday. Desert Pines enacted the running clock early in the third quarter after a pair of touchdowns from senior running back Jamel Brown.
The Jaguars also scored in untraditional ways, as junior defensive end Braezhon Ross returned an errant punt 20 yards for a touchdown. Rodriguez said the Jaguars really stood out on defense, as senior Cameron Wiley and junior Gabriel Lopez racked up three sacks apiece.
They’ll ride a four-game winning streak into next week’s game with the Bulldogs.
Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.