34 AUGUST 2025 By Kylie de Best Football is here, and high school programs are already deep in the playbook, preparing for a big season. Whether it’s under the Friday night lights or the quick tempo of flag football action, Arcadia area teams are gearing up to leave it all on the field. From weight room warriors to sideline strategists, here’s a look at what’s ahead for Arcadia, Brophy, Xavier, and Veritas in the 2025 football season.  The Titans are eyeing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year, and they’ve been grinding all summer to make sure they’re peaking in the fourth quarter of the season. With early morning conditioning and team drills four days a week, this squad isn’t just running plays – they’re running a mission. The team welcomed new head coach BJ Pasquel (see right) , stepping in for the now-retired Coach Ray Brown. Pasquel brings a “tough but fair” approach, focused on discipline, accountability, and building a team-first culture. As the season approaches, Pasquel said that younger athletes on the freshmen and JV teams need to focus on learning the core offensive and defensive plays and philosophies that define the Titan football program. “Developing individual skills will be essential in preparing them for a future transition to the varsity level,” he said. A strong commitment to summer and spring workouts will also be crucial for improving strength, speed, and overall performance. Across all levels, players are expected to lead by example and be a positive influence on campus. “From a strategic standpoint, the team aims to execute a balanced, physical offense that builds on past successes while tailoring plays to the team’s strengths,” Pasquel added. “Defensively, success will come from a clear understanding of alignment, assignment, and technique – along with the ability to play fast and with intensity.” “I’m looking forward to this season because I get to be on the field with all my friends,” quarterback Zach Smith said. “We’re ready to lead the team and get ourselves back to the playoffs.” With a senior-heavy roster that knows what it takes to win, the Titans are huddling up with purpose and a clear goal: make the postseason and make some noise. Their first official practice kicks off August 4 – stay tuned for updates later in the season. 8/29 @ Bradshaw Mountain 9/5 @ Camelback 9/12 @ Moon Valley 9/18 Deer Valley 9/26 ALA – West Foothills 10/3 Combs 10/10 @ Mesquite 10/17 Poston Butte 10/24 Eastmark 10/31 @ Snowflake –––––––––––––––––––––––––– All games at 7 p.m.  The Broncos are charging into 2025 with a solid stable of returning talent, looking to build off last year’s deep playoff run that ended in the 6A semifinals. While graduation hit their line hard, this year’s training camp was all about filling the trenches with fresh strength. Coach Jason Jewell, who brings more than a decade of college coaching experience, runs his practices like a D1 program – high tempo, high energy, and high expectations. “We coach these kids hard, but we love them just as hard,” Jewell said. With eyes set on cracking The Open, Arizona’s elite playoff bracket, Brophy’s motto this year might as well be reload – not rebuild. The opening game takes place on August 28 vs. powerhouse Basha. 8/28 Basha 9/5 @ Regis Jesuit 9/12 Perry 9/19 @ Hamilton 9/26 Red Mountain 10/3 Shadow Ridge 10/17 @ Higley 10/24 @ Liberty 10/31 @ Saguaro 11/7 Williams Field ––––––––––––––––––––– All games at 7 p.m.  Flag football is making waves, and the Gators are ready to dive into a packed season full of speed and strategy. With 12 regular-season games and a postseason tournament on the horizon, this year’s team is a perfect blend of seasoned vets and hungry newcomers. New head coach Matthew Reum ( see right ) aims to instill a culture of leadership, drawing on the wisdom of upperclassmen to elevate the entire roster. Summer practices and open workouts have laid the foundation, with tryouts coming soon. “Flag football is fast-paced and exciting,” player Imani Campbell said, “but it also takes a lot of communication and trust with your teammates. That’s what makes it special.” This year’s home opener takes place on September 16 vs. Mesa High. 9/16 Mesa High 9/23 @ Higley 9/25 Westwood 10/2 St. Mary’s 10/7 @ Perry ––––––––––––––––––––– All games at 6 p.m.  The Falcons are entering the season with more muscle and momentum than ever. With their largest summer camp turnout in program history and a strong offseason weight room presence, this squad is built for battle. Coach Mike Sanfratello said the offseason gains are already paying off, calling this year’s team “the strongest we’ve ever had.” The Falcons will play nine regular-season games plus a region crossover matchup based on seeding – 10 games to prove their grit. “This season, we’re all in – no egos, no excuses, just a brotherhood built on trust and heart,” Captain Baylor Arnold said. “Don’t be surprised if you see Veritas on your feed in November.” With a powerful senior class and a coaching staff dedicated to developing leaders on and off the field, Veritas is hoping to go the distance and take it deep into the playoffs. Hit the stands on August 22 to watch the Falcons take on Camp Verde. 8/22 @ Camp Verde 8/29 Scottsdale Prep 9/5 @ Antelope 9/12 Mountainside 9/19 @ Benson 9/26 @ Highland Prep 10/3 Trivium Prep 10/17 @ Phoenix Christian ––––––––––––––––––––– All games at 7 p.m. Whether calling plays from the sideline, hitting the sled at practice, or cheering from the stands, the 2025 high school football season is shaping up to be a gridiron showdown to remember. Stay tuned – these teams are just getting warmed up.

35 AUGUST 2025 By Michael P. Murphy Matt Reum remembers the day well, in when a friend asked for help in coaching his son’s flag football team. As someone who enjoys all things sports-related, Matt accepted his friend’s invitation and quickly developed a certain passion for the game. That was in 2019, and he has been coaching boys’ and girls’ flag football at the club and high school levels ever since. “I love coaching,” he said. “I had always coached other sports, such as basketball or baseball, but never flag football. I love mentoring the kids and coaching the right way to do things, how to get better and refine their skills.” That same passion led to his new position as the varsity flag football coach at Xavier Prep. Coaching syncs with his love of being outdoors. He has competed in IRONMAN and triathlon endurance races, and in November 2024, he ran the New York marathon. As a Brophy graduate who has lived in the community for 30 years, coaching the Xavier team is an opportunity he said he’s very much looking forward to. It’s a fall sport, so Matt is already set for those parent meetings, tryouts, and summer ball. “Being a new coach, I thought it important for me to get to know the players,” he said. “And for them to know me, know the program, and help them determine if they want to try out for the team.” Matt is a big believer in students learning life lessons through sports. Dedication, resilience, hard work, and teamwork are all important parts of the game. Having played many different sports while growing up, he understands that they are not the same, so he developed a coaching style that caters to players who have never played flag football but have played other sports. “I’ll ad apt thei r individual coaching to relate the skill or outcome we’re trying to achieve to a skill they’re more familiar with from that other sport,” he said. “It’s rewarding seeing the pride from an athlete as they evolve into a football player through that adaptive coaching approach.” Many of us might have played flag football during school recess, but the game is now much more than that. The popularity, for both boys and girls, has grown exponentially in varsity programs over the past few years. The game is also being added to the 2028 Olympics, where, for the first time, there will be more female athletes than male athletes. “I want the girls to take away three things from this team,” Matt said. “That they learn something they didn’t know from playing, that they have fun, and gain more appreciation for the game. Right now, they are on the cusp of something that’s going to be around for a long time, and it’s going to be an effective and rewarding way for young women to be involved in sports at the varsity level.” Flag football is a fast and exciting game. Fun, too. But it can also be a character- building life experience for the players, and that’s just the way Coach Reum likes it. Inspiring the next generation of flag football athletes Matt Reum developed a certain passion for the game. That was in 2019, and he has been coaching boys’ and girls’ flag football at the club and high “I love coaching,” he said. “I had always coached other sports, such as basketball or baseball, but never flag football. I love mentoring the very much looking forward to. It’s a fall sport, so Matt is already set for those parent meetings, tryouts, and summer ball. thought it important for me to get to know the players,” he said. “And for them to know me, know the program, and help them determine if they want to By Cliff Summerhill Arcadia High School has officially named BJ Pasquel as its new head football coach, welcoming a familiar face and seasoned leader to the top spot of the program. Pasquel isn’t new to the sidelines – he’s been part of the football staff for nearly four years, most recently serving as the varsity offensive coordinator for the past two seasons. “This will be my first year as head coach,” Pasquel shared. “But the transition has been smooth because I’ve already built strong relationships with many of our student-athletes.” With 33 years of coaching high school football under his belt, Pasquel brings a wealth of experience. His résumé includes a 14-year run at Coronado High and a stint as offensive coordinator at Cactus Shadows. His journey into coaching, he says, was inspired by Coronado’s well-known Coach Joe Corte. “He taught me a lot about the game, but more importantly, he helped me become a better teacher and coach,” Pasquel said. “He was competitive, tough, consistent, fair, honest – and he genuinely cared about his student-athletes and his school. I’ve tried to follow that model in my own coaching.” In addition to his coaching background, Pasquel is a veteran educator – now entering his 29th year as a physical education teacher with the Scottsdale Unified School District, and his 10th year teaching at Arcadia. “AHS is a wonderful community,” he said. “I value the rich diversity of our student population. The parents, alumni, and boosters all work together to support the football program and make it an incredible experience for the student-athletes.” Pasquel is focused on building a positive, growth-oriented team culture this season. “My hope is that we create an environment that encourages athletes to learn and develop both on and off the field,” he said. “Our goals are for every student to grow – athletically and academically – because of their involvement in football.” The Titans are coming off three straight playoff appearances, and Pasquel is ready to keep that momentum going. “We want to be playing our best football at the end of the season and make the playoffs for a fourth straight year,” he said. “I’m looking to build on the great things that have already been happening here.” A strong coaching staff is also helping drive that vision. Defensive Coordinator Steve Struzyk and Offensive Line Coach Mike Hudnutt – fellow Arcadia educators – are key to maintaining consistency within the program. “I feel lucky to be teaching and coaching at Arcadia High,” Coach Struzyk said. “Coach Pasquel has assembled a great staff this year, and I’m honored to be the defensive coordinator. The kids have been working extremely hard since spring to achieve their goals, which are to get better each week. The rest will take care of itself.” As Pasquel takes the reins, the Arcadia Titans are poised for another exciting season – built on tradition, driven by teamwork, and guided by a coach who’s committed to excellence on every level. BJ Pasquel ready to lead the Titans into a new era BJ Pasquel Pasquel is a veteran educator – now entering his 29th year as a physical education teacher with the Scottsdale Unified School District, and his “AHS is a wonderful already been happening here.” A strong coaching staff is also helping drive that vision. Defensive Coordinator Steve Struzyk and