Home sweet home for BC
Jaguars making first game in Anthem an event

Chaparral 53, Boulder Creek 0
by Jason Stone

ANTHEM – Boulder Creek football coach Scott Heideman doesn’t just want Friday nights to be game night in Anthem–he wants them to be events.

The first unveiling of Anthem’s version of “Friday Night Lights” begins this week when the Jaguars unveil their home red uniforms for the first time in front of the home fans.

The Jaguars, who have struggled in three losses to start the season, begin a seven‑game homestand to end the season, beginning the run at home against Flagstaff High, Heideman’s alma mater.

The game will include fireworks before the game, at halftime, after the game and during scores; along with an unveiling of the new professional paint job at midfield, a sweepstakes raffle, and the buzz of a new program’s first home game.

“We only get one chance to do the first kickoff,” Heideman said. “This is the kickoff of all kickoffs. It’s a good way to show to the community that we’re excited to be here.”

Boulder Creek is hoping to put aside last week’s 53‑0 loss at Chaparral, a game in which the Jaguars were never close. Heideman said he requested the game against the perennial powerhouse to send a message to his team.

“For me, it’s a refresher course in what I’m trying to (accomplish) here,” Heideman said. “I wanted to give the kids a glimpse of their future. We’re trying to build the program, and we’re trying to show them how to do it the right way.”

Heideman knows firsthand the success Chaparral has built up over the years as he was an       assistant on two of the Firebirds’ state championship teams in 1999 and 2000.

“They force you to make bad plays,” Heideman said. “And when you make bad plays against good teams, they take advantage of it.”

Flagstaff is a 4A‑Division II team but comes to Anthem with a 3‑0 record. Heideman was a member of one of the four Flagstaff teams that won state titles from 1981‑1984.

“They’re talking about being a contender for the 4A state championship this year,” Heideman said of Flagstaff. “I want to be tested early with our schedule.”

The game has been bumped back to 7:15 p.m. to make room for all the pregame festivities.

Reach the reporter at jason@thedesertadvocate.com.