Emily Brown is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Saguaro High School for AZPreps365.com.

PHOENIX - One year after a painful loss to the Titans knocked the Sabercats out of the postseason, Saguaro is looking for revenge. 

Saguaro flag football will face rival Arcadia in its last regular-season game with playoff hopes on the line Nov. 5. 

No. 30-ranked Saguaro enters the contest with a 3-9 overall record, sitting at 2-2 in its 4A Desert Sky Region. Arcadia is positioned just ahead in the state at No. 28, bringing a 3-10 overall record and a 2-1 region record to the match. 

Saguaro coach Greg Thorne emphasized that maintaining focus on specific plays through the rest of the season until the final game is what will get Saguaro to the winning finish line.

“I think if we can execute over the next four games, we have a great opportunity to probably even get into the playoffs,” Thorne said. “It's us executing on offense and defense that's going to come down to it.”

Arcadia enters the game third in the Desert Sky, whereas Saguaro sits in fourth. 

Wide receiver Melia Ikei said the matchup is “like personal heat” for the Sabercats, who missed the postseason last year thanks to a loss to the Titans that left the team angry. 

Hopes for a strong postseason and regional bragging rights are promised if a win is secured. Saguaro players are preparing for the game by staying in a serious mindset about the stakes, according to wide receiver Kendra Kirkendall. 

“Playing against Arcadia is definitely going to be one of our harder games,” Kirkendall said. “We need to combat their defense with a strong offense.”  

The season finale doubles as senior night for the Sabercats. Starting quarterback Delynda Thorne, who leads the region with 889 total offensive yards, said taking the field for the last time in the regular season presents mixed emotions. 

“I’m excited, but I’m also sad,” Delynda Thorne said. “It’s been a great journey– just kind of sad to leave the girls. I’ve made a lot of new friends this year.”  

With both teams in close competition in the region, the regular-season finale represents a shot at redemption for Saguaro and a test of execution with postseason aspirations on the line, according to Kirkendall. 

“At the beginning of our season, we didn't really have the best of a winning streak, but recently there's just been a major shift in our energy,” Kirkendall said. “A lot of energy and teamwork is what we're going to need to win that game.”

Arcadia’s biggest threat is sophomore quarterback and wide receiver Layla Ramirez who has 204 yards and 24 completions. Ramirez was a top performer in Arcadia’s 26-0 win against Coronado Oct. 30 where she acquired 70 yards and a touchdown. 

“It’s us executing on offense and defense that’s going to come down to it because we’ve grown as the season’s gone,” Greg Thorne said. “I think the girls that are out here that want to be out here are putting 100, 150% effort into it, and I think it’s just going to build.”