D-IV football: Breaking down Seton-Snowflake rematch

November 20, 2014 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Who has the advantage Saturday (Nov. 22) in the Division IV football semifinal between top-seed Seton Catholic (12-0) and No. 4 Snowflake (11-1) at 6 p.m. at Paradise Valley High School?

Difficult to decipher. Seton prevailed, 23-14, when the teams met Sept. 12 in Snowflake. Last year Snowflake won at Seton, 28-23, with a dominant ground game.

In this year's meeting they traded touchdowns the first half with Snowflake leading twice. Seton went to intermission with a 20-14 lead and all the teams could muster in the second half was a late Seton field goal. Total offense was nearly the same with Snowflake winning the rushing stat and Seton the air attack. Snowflake outgained Seton, 317-301.

They also have four common opponents -- Estrella Foothills, Coolidge, Combs and Winslow. Both had a tough time putting away Estrella Foothills -- Snowflake rallied to win, 28-21, and won via a defensive touchdown in the final quarter while Seton staved off a late rally for a 35-24 victory. Both teams easily took care of Coolidge, Combs and Winslow.

Seton and Snowflake play championship-caliber defense. The Sentinels have given up only 91 points; Snowflake 189 points albeit against a tougher schedule overall. Seton relies on three-year starter Antonio Campanella to lead its rushing attack. Campanella has rushed for 1,617 yards, including 132 in the win over Snowflake. Seton likes to throw as well so an edge overall on offense goes to Seton with its balance. Quarterback Zach Wade's production is lofty -- 2,700 yards passing, 36 TDs and and three interceptions. His top three targers are senior George Wolter (50 receptions), junior Brandon Garcia (29 catches) and sophomore Jacob Terrill (21 catches). Wade's chipped in an additional 404 yards rushing and 10 TDs. Seton is nearly 50-50 run/pass yardage.

Snowflake counters with running backs Trevor McCray (1,341 yards) and Drew Schneider (1,228 yards) pacing its forte -- the run. McCray rushed for 100 yards against Seton in September. Schneider wasn't much of a factor in the first meeting, but has six 100-yard games in his last seven contests Snowflake is nearly 70-30 run/pass yardage.

The winner faces either No. 3 River Valley or No. 2 Sahuarita, who meet in the other semifinal on Saturday (Nov. 22) at 6 p.m. at Marana High School.