SCC to Host Valley of the Sun Bowl After Winning Season

The Scottsdale Community College Fighting Artichokes knew before the first kickoff of the season that this would be their last, and players were not thrilled about the announcement.

“It definitely didn’t sound good. It didn’t feel good,” sophomore wide receiver Devin Neal. “A lot of guys missing opportunities like the ones we have.”

ENTERPRISE_FINAL-8 — Sophomore wide receiver Devin Neal halls in a pass during the second half of Scottsdale’s win over the Glendale Gauchos. He said that deep passes down the field were part of their offensive game plan this week. (Photo by Sarah Farrell)

Players and coaches had a lot of emotion going into this final season, but they didn’t let that stop them from competing. The ‘Chokes put together the best record in Maricopa County finishing 7-3, and were a perfect 6-0 against the other Maricopa schools.

ENTERPRISE_FINAL-66 — Freshman running back Jon-ta McMullen is part of Scottsdale’s potent ground attack. The Scottsdale offense averaged 43 points a game during their last three games against the other schools in Maricopa County. (Photo by Sarah Farrell)

“What we’ve tried to do here at Scottsdale at least is be successful every season,” head coach Doug Madoski said. “If it’s the last one, I think there’s obviously a feeling of finality to it.”

ENTERPRISE_FINAL-61 — Sophomore defensive backs Tavion Allen (left) and Austyne Carvalho (right) are part of a stout Artichoke defense. In the final three games of the season, the defense held opposing teams to an average of 15 points a game. (Photo by Sarah Farrell)

The freshmen on the roster said they felt the pressure of this cut the most. This being the last season meant that they only had 10 games to stand out on the field, get noticed by recruiters and impress them to get scholarships for next season.

Freshman running back Cole Fisher said, “You never know when it’s going to be your last game or last season, so that’s why you gotta make the most out of your opportunities while you got (them).”

ENTERPRISE_FINAL-58 — *Freshman kicker Zachary Hellmann send a field goal through the uprights during Scottsdale’s win over Mesa Community College. (Photo by Sarah Farrell)*

ENTERPRISE_FINAL-11 — *Hellmann is one of 47 freshman on the Artichoke roster who will have to find somewhere else to play next season. (Photo by Chris Lindsay)*

Madoski said that the team kept fighting all season: “These guys have been through a lot. They’re battle tested. There’s not a guy out here that quits.”

ENTERPRISE_FINAL-63 — *Scottsdale has two talented quarterbacks on their roster. Both played minutes during the final game against Glendale. (Photo by Sarah Farrell)*

The Artichokes are not thinking about the end of JUCO football in Maricopa County just yet. While the three other schools have all played their final game of the season, Scottsdale will host the Valley of the Sun Bowl Dec. 1. They’ll take on the visiting Blinn College from Texas. Their focus remains on the last game they still have to play and finishing out the season on a high note.

ENTERPRISE_FINAL-13 — *The Scottsdale offensive prepares to go back out on the field for the second half of their game against Glendale. (Photo by Chris Lindsay)*

“We’ve gotta work,” Fisher said. “We’ve got some time off, but we don’t got time to rest.”

Now, most players from all four schools will try to either get recruited by a scholarship program or transfer to another JUCO if their dream is continue to play football.