Prep Football: Superior dethrones defending 1A state champ Bagdad in semis
Sultans' 21-game winning streak snapped
By Doug Cook | dougout_dc
Originally Published: November 5, 2017 5:58 a.m.
Bagdad's football team will not repeat as the 1A state champions in 2017 after third-seeded Superior posted a shocking semifinals upset of the second-seeded Sultans, 44-34, Saturday night at Maricopa High School south of Phoenix.
The Sultans saw their monumental 21-game winning streak come to an end, one that dated back to the beginning of the 2016 season in eight-man.
With the victory, Superior will face defending 1A state runner-up Williams, which knocked off No. 1 Mogollon, 50-44, in Saturday's other semifinal, in the state championship game at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, at Maricopa High School in Maricopa.
On Saturday, the Sultans committed three turnovers, which contributed mightily in ending their season with a 10-1 overall record.
"Turnovers killed us," Bagdad coach Dalton Mills said. "Tip your hat to Superior. They played great."
In the loss, Bagdad quarterback Israel Loveall completed 21 of 34 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns, and wideout Scott Finnerty hauled in 11 receptions for 199 yards.
On the ground, Loveall carried the ball 12 times for 89 yards with two touchdowns and a 2-point conversion.
Defending D-VI runner-up Bagdad eliminated by Pima in semifinals Saturday
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