Diego Iniguez is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Shadow Mountain for AZPreps365.com

Shadow Mountain (4-3) is trying to snap its three-game skid at San Tan Foothills (4-3) on Friday, Oct. 14. at 7 p.m.

Matadors head coach Ron Fagan described his strategy to beat the Sabercats.

“Our game plan is to run the ball and keep them in front of us on defense and tackle better than we have been," Fagan said.

The Matadors' starting sophomore running back Tavares “TJ” Allen has averaged 105.4 rushing yards per game and scored 10 touchdowns (nine rushing, one receiving). 

At the Matadors' practice on Tuesday, Fagan said that Allen’s production on the ground could be greater if it weren’t for penalties committed by the offensive line throughout the season.  

Several big plays by Allen, including a few in last Friday’s 28-14 loss to Odyssey Institute, being called back because of the offensive line have been a prevalent problem throughout the Matadors' season. 

“These last three games other teams have been stopping the run so hopefully our offensive linemen do there job,”  Allen said.

However, he added that he is “feeling pretty confident about this game.” 

When it comes to Fagan’s second part of his game plan involving his defense, keeping offensive players in front of them the past three games has been an issue. Shadow Mountain's defense has allowed 39 points per game to three teams that haven't been offensively explosive during the year. 

Emmett Schulz, one of Shadow Mountain's leading tacklers, was not daunted by the prospect of Friday’s game when I asked him about it.  

“I feel like we definitely have the ability to win we just gotta go out there and play. We got our coaches who do their job and help give us the plan to win but it’s our job to go out there and execute,” Schulz said. 

He believes this is the moment Shadow Mountain can get back to winning football games. 

Between their RBs Allen and Alexis Soto (54.7 rush yards per game), the Matadors need to utilize them well against a defense that is currently allowing 25 points per game. 

The Shadow Mountain defense must make tackles and complement the efforts of their offense.