(Photo credit by MD9Flicks)
The Tempe Buffaloes have spent the last two seasons clawing their way out of the basement, turning a program that once went 1-27 in 3A into a competitive 10-10 squad now competing in 4A. After back-to-back 5-5 finishes and narrowly missing the playoffs, the Buffaloes believe they are primed for a breakthrough.
This year’s team is reloaded with firepower, including senior quarterback Saul Mendez, dynamic running back Adrian Hackett, defensive edge disruptor Zihyon Walters, and a pair of impact transfers from Mesquite in Brooklyn Curran and Jayden Rodriguez. Add in the arrival of new defensive coordinator Paris Wilcox, and the buzz around Tempe is hard to ignore.
Offensive coordinator Matt Pinnick, better known by the players as Coach MVP, believes the foundation has been set. Now it is time to arrive.
“The expectations from me and the offensive side are to go from #TempeTurnaround to #TempeArrival. We have been building this thing up from the mud. 5-5 the last two seasons were a good start, but we want more, and it starts now.”
Pinnick said the addition of Wilcox has elevated the team’s physicality and unity, while offensively, the focus is on keeping everyone involved.
“We believe in the motto ‘Everybody Eats.’ Keeping everyone happy is not easy, but it is worth the payoff. When it is time to lock in, we lock right back in.”
One of the most intriguing newcomers is Brooklyn Curran, a senior linebacker and running back who transferred from Mesquite. Curran brings toughness and versatility to both sides of the ball and wasted no time fitting in with his new teammates.
(Brookyln Curran/ photo credit by its_ya_boi_dom_06)
“The chemistry is amazing. Built a bond with my brothers real quick, and we are going to make some noise this year, and I am grateful to play with this squad for my senior season.”
Curran said his focus this offseason was sharpening his mental game to handle adversity, while his goals for the year are ambitious:
“I plan to be one of the best linebackers Tempe has ever seen, leaving my mark and becoming all-region and all-city. My aspirations are to become a forensic pathologist and play college football.”
On the field, he models his game after former NFL safety Kam Chancellor, citing Chancellor’s physicality and vision despite not being the biggest player on the field.
(Photo credit by MD9Flicks)
From the administration to the alumni, there is a growing sense of pride in Tempe’s football program that has not been there in years. Pinnick credits the entire school community for embracing the rebuild.
“It was heavy lifting taking a team that was 1-27 in 3A to 10-10 the last two seasons and now into 4A. But we are built different, and we are ready for the challenge. The school is ready, the admins are ready, and the alumni are ready. It is going to be a memorable season, and I cannot wait.”
The Buffaloes dominantly opened their season opener last Friday with a 76-0 win over Alhambra. They will look to keep the momentum rolling when they travel to Phoenix Carl Hayden on September 5.