GLENDALE - Sitting in press row at University of Phoenix Stadium for the Fiesta Bowl, I can't help but think about the last time I was here.
You probably remember a certain 45-19 dismantling of Hamilton by Desert Vista in the Division I state championship game.
It is the first time I had ever seen a Hamilton team overwhelmed. A distant second might have been in 2006 when the Huskies traveled to Ohio and they lost to Massillon Washington, 35-26, in the Herbstreit Classic.
Huskies coach Steve Belles had a look on his face against DV that was of stunned disbelief. I guess that is the best way I could describe it. The Hamilton sideline is usually so confident and rarely deals with a deficit let alone a three-touchdown disadvantage.
I was on the other sideline so I don't know what the atmosphere was truly like but the look on the Belles' face said it all.
Meanwhile, the Thunder sideline was no different than any other game throughout the contest until maybe the final minutes when it got a bit giddy to say the least.
At first the celebrations were small, and in little groups as the players didn't want to get ahead of themselves or jinx anything.
But by the time the final minute and seconds came off the clock that sideline was just bedlam.
Not sure what any of that has to do with the Stanford-Oklahoma State game in front of me, but that's where my mind's eye showed me as soon I sat down.
Contact writer: 480-898-7915 or Jskoda@ahwatukee.com
