THE HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHT: JOSIAH BAILEY

We are halfway through the High School football season and the great teams are starting to distance themselves from the good teams.  Kellis is one of those schools that is making a name for itself this season.

The Cougars are 5-1 and part of that is because or this weeks High School Highlight, Josiah Bailey.  Bailey is just a junior but has been on varsity for 3 years.  The receiver is a touchdown machine and is dangerous every time he touches the football.

Bailey has been playing football since third grade and hopes it helps him get a college education.  He plans to pursue a degree in criminal justice when he gets to college.  He plays football because he used to watch his brother play and was inspired by him.  Bailey has a 3.75 GPA and would love to play in the All America game.

Bailey is an inspiration on and off the field and says football "is a great life lesson teacher and is a gateway to a better life and education."

LA JOYA SPOILS HOME OPENER FOR ALHAMBRA

It was another great night for high school football in Phoenix.  Alhambra, coming off an impressive victory two weeks ago at Carl Hayden, played host to La Joya in their home opener.

La Joya scored on its first possession and never looked back.  They jumped out to a 21-0 and it looked like it was going to be a blowout.  Then with 3:00 minutes to go in the half Alhambra finally got on the board and cut the lead to 21-6.

After a La Joya fumble the Lions scored again and cut the lead to 21-14 after the 2 point conversion with just 51 seconds left.  But the first half scoring wasn't over. Both teams traded touchdowns and La Joya had a 28-22 half time lead.

La Joya came out in the second half and continued where they left and held the Lions scoreless in the second half and cruised to a 54-22 victory.

Alhambra looks to bounce back next week when they host the South Mountain Jaguars.  La Joya goes to Mountain Ridge and is looking for it's second straight victory.

THE HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHT: ISREAL ARAIZA

                      Photo courtesy of Laura Bautista


This week The High School Highlight profile North's junior fullback/linebacker Isreal Araiza. He is in his first year of varsity football and is already making an impact for the Mustangs.

Araiza has been playing football since he was 6 years old and even played for Team USA's 15 and under team.  He is a warrior on the field and just as impressive in the classroom.

He has 3.4 GPA and plans to go to college to get into sports marketing and training.  He also inspires to play football in college.  At just a junior he has already visited a few college campus'.

Araiza has goals of helping North turn in to a football school.  He also wants to average 12 tackles a game, a goal that is very reachable for the young man.

He has always wanted to play football and tells a story being 4 years old at his sisters cheer practice and crying because he was too young to play.  His dad had coached him since he started playing so football is a lifestyle to him.

Araiza is a perfect example of a kid whose love for something has spilled over to other parts of life and has made him an impressive young man.