Rams look to contend in wide-open 2A Salt region

Antelope opens season tonight

It’s been 10 years since Antelope last qualified for the state playoffs in football, but according to at least one major publication, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Rams make it back this year.

In a preview of every region in the state, the Arizona Republic’s lead high school beat reporter declared Antelope the favorite in the newly formed 2A Salt region. Sure, the Rams went just 4-5 a year ago, but no 2A Salt team fared any better. Antelope has taken notice. “It’s good to be recognized,” coach Gary Mauldin said. “Our region isn’t the strongest, but to have that recognition (from the Republic) is really good.” The six-team 2A Salt region features four teams that were in 2A a year ago (Antelope, Veritas Prep, Sedona Red Rock, Scottsdale Prep), one that has moved down from 3A (North Pointe Prep), and one that has moved up from 1A (Valley Lutheran).

Sedona Red Rock and Scottsdale Prep both went winless last year, North Pointe Prep won only two games and Valley Lutheran finished just one game above San Pasqual in the 1A West standings.

Veritas Prep, like Antelope, won four games, and beat the Rams by a touchdown the final week of the regular season.

“I think there’s a lot of parity in our region,” Mauldin said. “I think we stack up well against our region teams.”

Antelope hasn’t had a winning season since 2009, and is just 10-39 in five seasons under Mauldin, but none of that matters with the region shakeup.

It will be a while before the region begins to take shape, though, as Antelope opens the regular season with five straight freedom games before closing it with five