Hamilton QB Sosinski gets advice on how to handle big game from his dad

• Hamilton QB James Sosiunski received advice on the championship game from his father James Sr.
• Saguaro coach Jason Mohns is getting his players up early to adjust to 11%3A30 a.m. Saturday start.
• A White Mountains team%2C this year Snowflake%2C is playing for a state title for the 8th straight year.

James Sosinski doesn't have to go far to find out how to prepare for a state championship football game.

Down the hallway, his dad, James Sr., was Tempe McClintock's top receiver in 1980 when the Chargers captured the big-schools state championship, beating Phoenix Trevor Browne in the final, 34-7, at Sun Devil Stadium.

Today, James Sr., enjoys watching his 6-foot-7, 240-pound son lead Chandler Hamilton's offense at quarterback.

The senior, also a top basketball player, is poised for Friday night's Division I championship game against Chandler at University of Phoenix Stadium.

"He always gives me tips before every game," Sosinski said. "But it's the same every week, just get after it."

Sosinski never thought of being a receiver growing up. He has committed to playing football at Massachusetts.

He also plays golf, but not nearly as good as his dad.

So what does Dad shoot for 18 holes? In the 70s?

"In the 60s," James Jr., said.

On a side note, Hamilton Athletic Director Richard Baniszewski played on that McClintock state championship team in 1980 with James Sosinski Sr. Baniszewski's son, Braxton, is a junior free safety at Hamilton.

Richard Baniszewski can attest to James Sosinski Sr., being an even better golfer than football player.

Wake-up call

Scottsdale Saguaro got up early on Thanksgiving Day for football practice and will be doing the same thing Friday morning. Coach Jason Mohns wants to get his players' body clocks ready for Saturday's 11:30 a.m. game start for the Division III final against Gilbert Williams Field at Sun Devil Stadium.

"It will be different but it's the same for both teams," Mohns said. "Last year, someone asked me if I was mad that we were playing the state championship in Tucson. We could be playing the state championship on the moon, we want to play for that gold ball. It doesn't matter where it is or what time the game starts."

White Mountains streak

This is the eighth consecutive year that a team from the White Mountains area is playing for a state football championship, with Snowflake taking on Mohave Valley River Valley in the Division IV final on Saturday at Phoenix North Canyon.

But this is the first time since 1993 that Snowflake has a chance to capture the state title. Snowflake won three state championships in a row from 1991-93.

"You can't believe the buzz up north right now with our little community," Snowflake coach Ron Tenney said. "Anybody who came to the game against (Chandler) Seton on Saturday (in the semifinals at Paradise Valley High) saw the support that we get as a team. I think we outnumbered their fans four to one. It was incredible to see the people who came."

Tenney said he received a congratulatory and good luck text from former Lakeside Blue Ridge and current Florence Poston Butte coach Paul Moro.