By Brittany Bowyer
Mail

PHOENIX — With flag football officially underway, fall sports are now in full swing. Here’s a look at how North Valley teams are doing this week, as well as a look ahead at what’s still to come.

RECAP
Flag football kicked off the season this week with most teams starting on Tuesday. In the program’s inaugural game, Cactus Shadows was able to pick up a 26-12 victory over Kofa. Pinnacle also beat Higley 18-7 to start the season, Desert Mountain beat Sunrise Mountain 37-7, and Chaparral beat Horizon 21-0. Meanwhile, Arcadia fell to Scottsdale Christian 41-0 and Saguaro fell to ALA-Gilbert North 28-0.

In girls volleyball, Notre Dame Prep beat Buckeye 3-0 on Monday, while Horizon also defeated Campo Verde in a 3-0 sweep. Arcadia also picked up a 3-0 win over Mesquite, while Saguaro went toe-to-toe with St. Mary’s for a 3-2 victory. On Tuesday, Cactus Shadows got shut out by Cactus 3-0, and Phoenix Country Day lost its first match of the season to Chandler Prep 3-2. Chaparral was able to pick up a 3-0 victory over McClintock, while Xavier also swept Casteel 3-0.

In badminton, Pinnacle fell to Arizona College Prep 8-1 on Monday while Xavier defeated Desert Ridge 8-1. On Tuesday, Xavier got shut out by the Huskies in a 9-0 loss, while Saguaro shut out Cortez for the win.

For boys golf, Pinnacle picked up a nice win on Tuesday over Desert Vista and Chaparral.

Finally, in boys beach volleyball, Brophy defeated Maricopa 5-0 to advance to 3-0 on the season.

LOOKING AHEAD
On Wednesday, flag football competition continues with Notre Dame Prep hosting North Canyon and Pinnacle hosting Dobson. Thursday, Saguaro travels to Bradshaw Mountain, Cactus Shadows hosts Cienega, and Chaparral hosts Desert Mountain in a rivalry battle. Horizon also hits the road traveling to Vista Grande.

In girls volleyball, Saguaro will travel to Cactus Shadows on Wednesday, while on Thursday, Phoenix Country Day will look to bounce back against Glendale Prep. Also on Thursday, Xavier will travel to Las Vegas, where they will take on Archbishop Mitty out of California, and 5A Horizon prepares for a tough battle against 6A Hamilton. Rounding out Thursday’s competition for North Valley schools, Desert Mountain will host Sunrise Mountain, while Notre Dame Prep will travel to Willow Canyon.

For badminton, Chaparral will host Campo Verde on Wednesday while Saguaro travels to Horizon. On Thursday, Chaparral hosts Sunrise Mountain while Pinnacle travels to Valley Vista.

In boys beach volleyball, Brophy will take on Perry Wednesday on the road.

Rounding things out, football kicks off Thursday night with Arcadia at Deer Valley and Chaparral at Canyon View. On Friday, the competition continues as Cactus Shadows will look for its first win against Camelback. Desert Mountain will take on Mountain Pointe, Notre Dame Prep will take on Gilbert, and Horizon will take on Sunnyslope as all three North Valley teams look to advance to 4-0 on the season. Meanwhile in 6A, Brophy will travel to Mesa Mountain View, while Pinnacle will look to keep rolling after last week’s big win when they take on Queen Creek on the road. Saguaro will also get back to action this week after cancelling the last two games, taking on Mountain Ridge at home.

Brittany Bowyer is a Report for America corps member, covering sports for Independent Newsmedia in Arizona. Report for America places talented journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and regions.