Regardless of what happens from this point on with Desert Vista and Mountain Pointe, this year's success on the football field will help in the coming seasons.
Much like a college team that gets three weeks of extra practice time after making a bowl game, high school teams that make the postseason get the opportunity to work in some younger players on scout teams so they can get a feel for what practicing and playing at the varsity level is like before being called upon the following season.
"It's been a great situation for us," Desert Vista coach Dan Hinds said. "These young guys have been great. We have never had a group of sophomores come up and make a positive impact like these guys have.
"We have our starting JV O-line playing and they are making our defense work. It's been a great positive situation for us."
The one thing that differs, however, is the fact that a lot of times college coaches aren't even concerned with winning the bowl game. It's always nice to end the year with a win, but the practice time with the next year's squad jump can really jumpstart a program to the next level.
At the high school level, of course, winning means everything at this time of the year. The development of the younger players is secondary, but can prove just as important as the experienced gained during the JV regular season.
CONTACT WRITER:
(480) 898-7915 or
jskoda@ahwatukee.com
