Arizona high school football game of week: Top players in Bergen Catholic vs. Saguaro game
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Here are the top high school football players to see Friday night at Scottsdale Saguaro, when the defending Open Division state champion Sabercats taken on New Jersey champion Bergen Catholic out of Oradell (an 18-time New Jersey champion that went 12-0 last year and finished No. 3 in the nation by MaxPreps.com). This is The Arizona Republic's Week 3 High School Football Game of the Week.
This figures to draw as much attention nationwide as any high school game in the country this week.
More: Arizona high school football rankings through Week 2: 3A-1A conferences
Saguaro Sabercats (0-0)
- Devon Dampier, QB, Sr.
He's even better than he was last year when he tore up the Open playoffs, making it his elite-status coming out party, ripping through Cactus, Hamilton and Chandler with big plays with his arm and legs. He hasn't committed yet. But he could play at any major university in the country. Exceptional athlete.
- Deric English, WR, Sr.
He only got into two series last year, before suffering a season-ending knee injury that had to be surgically rebuilt. He'll make this game his launching pad. Can't double team him, because there are so many other playmakers.
- Jaeden Matthews, RB, Jr.
He caught the game-winning touchdown pass to beat Chandler 20-15 in last year's Open Division state championship game. He is an elite back who has multiple Power 5 offers. He can catch the ball out of the backfield, as well as run between the tackles.
- Cole Shivers, CB, Sr.
He has committed to Northwestern, a three-star cornerback who had a number of Power 5 offers. Great at coverage and tackling. Excellent nose for the ball. A true ball hawk, who will have to be careful not to let Bergen's speedy receivers get behind him.
- John Butler, LB, Sr.
A physical presence in the middle of the defense, a three-star recruit with lots of upside.
- Zaccheus Cooper, RB, Sr.
Like English, he suffered a knee injury in the same game that required surgery. This is a huge season for him after being out all but a couple of series last season and being slowed by injuries his sophomore season at Liberty.
- Jaci Dickerson, Athlete, Jr.
He has Power 5 offers. Elite athlete who can tear it up as receiver and defensive back. Watch for a monster season.
- JoJo Clark, LB/S, Jr.
He is very similar player to former Saguaro star and current Arizona State player Will Shaffer. Coach Jason Mohns calls him, "Will Shaffer 2.0." Can line up at H-back on offense and find the end zone in short yardage, and he'll be a beast on defense at multiple positions.
- Dajon Hinton, Athlete, So.
He's already being talked about in the same conversations as Christian Kirk and Byron Murphy. Incredible athlete who will start at wide receiver, cornerback and return kicks. He's ready to become a household name.
Bergen Catholic Crusaders (1-0)
- Sydir Mitchell, DL, 6-6, 330, Sr.
The strength of this team is defense, notably the line, and it starts with this guy, a great athlete, who rumbled 25 yards for a touchdown after picking up a fumble in last week's season-opening 49-14 rout of Cardinal Gibbons. He is a three-star prospect who has committed to Texas.
- D. J. Samuels, DL, 6-1, 240, Sr.
He has committed to Maryland. He is the school's all-time sack leader with 22 coming into the season. It's hard to double-team this guy, because offensive linemen then have to deal with Mitchell.
- Malachi Mercer, LB, 6-1, 215, Sr.
He led the team with 103 tackles last season when the Crusaders went 12-0. He also had three sacks and 8.5 tackles for losses.
- Daquan Stewart, CB, 6-2, 180, Sr.
He had a 54-yard catch against Cardinal Gibbons, but it's his play at cornerback that is most important. He's got great ball skills and is usually the guy defending the top receiver. He had 18 tackles and an interception last season.
- Saeed St. Fleur, RB, 5-11, 205, Sr.
He led the Crusaders last week with 84 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. He also caught a 39-yard pass. Last season, he ran for 678 yards and seven TDs on 97 carries and caught 16 passes for 211 yards and a TD.
More: Arizona HS football Week 2 takeaways: Wild finish, high-powered offenses, long drought ends
To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter @azc_obert.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona high school football game of week: Saguaro, Bergen top players
