Game photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/andymorales

Salpointe finished with a 9-1 record last season, good enough for a certain high seed in the 5A-I state playoffs. It was not to be as the Lancers were forced to miss the playoffs due to a recruiting violation.

The players could have taken their penalty, their chip on their shoulder and their top-notch talent and played the season for themselves. But Coach Dennis Bene saw the punishment as an opportunity to build something else at Salpointe.

He came up with an idea of having the Salpointe community take part in a program he called, “Games for the Greater Good.” The team has worked on special projects such as Special Olympics, diaper drives and the Community Food Bank.

According to a statement released by the school, Bene offered his reasoning, “The sole purpose of creating Games for the Greater Good was to show my players that life has so much to offer and we are truly blessed. In light of our relative adversity, I wanted the true character of my players to be revealed. At the end of the day, we are grateful for our good fortune and we look to share it with others.”

Salpointe fulfilled part of their objective prior to their game against Rio Rancho, New Mexico as they honored Davis Monthan Air Force Base and all active and retired service men and women.

The various branches of service displayed their working dogs, vehicles and uniforms and the school showed special recognition for World War II and Korean vets at halftime.

A U.S. Border Patrol Agent who was killed in the line of duty was also honored with a moment of silence. Michael V. Gallagher was patrolling near Casa Grande when a two-vehicle wreck occurred.

He was a two-year veteran of the agency and was assigned to the Casa Grande Station.
The 32-year-old is survived by his wife, Samantha and two sons.

THE GAME OF THE WEEK

When Salpointe faced Rio Rancho last year the New Mexico team was fueled by QB Tyler Baker. Baker threw for 267 yards with three touchdowns against the Lancers. Salpointe came back from a 24-14 deficit to win that game 34-24.

Baker graduated and it was clear that this was not going to be the same team Salpointe faced last year. This year, Salpointe’s defense held them to only 187 yards in their 31-8 victory Friday night.

Salpointe was also a different team. Sure, they returned All-Star running back Johnny Pena. All he did was gain 810 yards as a freshman last year.

They also had their All-Star offensive lineman Jacob Arzouman back for his final year before he heads to Arizona.

But, they also added the “Bert Jones Offensive Player of the Year” recipient at the quarterback position.

Bert Jones? The new QB is senior Jordan Scelfo from Louisiana. He made All-State even though he was the leader of a small 1A school.

His father, Frank Scelfo, was the QB coach and coordinator at Louisiana Tech and, when Mike Stoops hired Scelfo away to be his QB coach, his son was part of the bargain.

Both father and son came up big Friday night.

While Arizona was drilling Toledo 41-2 on a night where Nick Foles and Matt Scott combined for 413 yards, Scelfo threw for 168 yards and a touchdown in his debut.

“My father is just sick that he missed my first game as a senior,” Jordan said after the game. “I’m going to call him when I get in the locker room.”

It was a rare Friday night college game that kept the father from watching the son but Jordan’s first huge home game in front of a huge 5A crowd probably made up for it a little bit. “I heard the update of the Arizona game on the loud speakers and I heard the crowd cheer,” said Scelfo. ” I like the city atmosphere and the support of the crowd.”

Scelfo’s first pass caused a bit of concern as he threw to an open spot up the middle that remained open because no receiver was in the vicinity. But that concern was erased on the next play a he hit freshman Cameron Denson for 14 yards on the next play and then hit him again for 21 yards two plays later.

There was never any concern for Pena, however, as the sophomore gained seven yards on each of his

first three carries of the opening series. He would later run it in from seven yards out for the first score of the game. Pena gained 48 yards in the first quarter alone, finishing with 89 yards on the night.

Pena also took a turn at throwing the ball in the second quarter on a trick play that he knew would work, “When I heard the call I knew we were going to score.”

“We worked on it in practice and it was a good call in this situation,” he added.

Scelfo tossed the ball to Pena who hit a wide open Jordan Backerman for the 31 yard touchdown to put Salpointe up 14-0 with 10:34 left in the first half.

Salpointe held on defense and scored again quickly as sophomore Jared Sires ran down the sidelines on a 45 yard touchdown run with 8:09 left.

A field goal by Salpointe provided the 24-0 halftime score.

Scelfo hit Denson for a 21 yard touchdown in the third quarter to put the Lancers up 31-0 with 7:44 left.

The only thing left for the Lancer defense was to throw a shutout but it was not to be as Rio Rancho scored a touchdown with 48 seconds left in the game on a quick snap form the two yard line. It was move that the Lancer coaching staff did not appreciate as it showed a weakness that will surely be worked on at practice.

Rio Rancho QB Tim Foley ran the ball in for the two-point conversion, ending the scoring 31-8.

“I’d like to give thanks to the line and to the receiver’s,” said Pena later. When asked about his place in Tucson with all the big name running backs Pena offered a mature response, “I want to be the best I can be with the time I have. I want to be a team player and if I listen to my coaches then I know I will be a great back.”

It sounds like the “Games for a Great Good” is working.

Next week: Salpointe visits Catalina Foothills.

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