Phoenix Brophy, Mesa Red Mountain, Mesa and Mesa Westwood are experiencing a shortage.

That shortage is on offense, and the proof lies in the points they’ve scored.

All four 2007 playoff teams are down in scoring between nine and 12 points a game. Each knew the extent to which their offenses progressed this year would be important in their bid to return to the postseason. With the season nearly half over, there is still time to make the necessary strides. But they can’t stay stalled too much longer.

Heading into this week’s games, Brophy is 1-3 against those four teams, compared with 3-1 against the same four last year at this time.

Overall, Mesa is 2-2, down from 3-1 last year. Red Mountain is 2-2, down from 3-1. Westwood is 1-4, down from 4-1.

“The thought never crossed my mind we’d struggle as much as we have on offense so far,” Mesa coach Kelley Moore said. “I think there are two reasons. The two people that beat us (Phoenix Desert Vista and Avondale Westview) are good. The second thing is our execution hasn’t been good.

“I know we have a lack of experience with nobody back on offense, but that’s not an excuse. At some point we have to hit on all cylinders and execute. Good programs reload, they don’t rebuild.”

Mesa has scored 82 points in its two wins; seven points in its two losses.

Brophy is in a similar situation. The Broncos (2-3) returned just two starters and lost a three-year starter at quarterback that any school would be fortunate to have once every 10 to 20 years in Bryan Berens.

The fact that the Broncos have faced the toughest part of their schedule also has impacted their sluggishness, with their three losses coming to Chandler Hamilton (4-1), Tucson Salpointe (4-0) and Mesa Mountain View (4-0).

Brophy’s 17 points vs. Mountain View last week were the most it has scored in its losses. The team’s strength, its defense, has been taxed more than expected to picking up the early-season offensive slack.

Red Mountain coach Jim Jones realizes his squad isn’t denting the scoreboard like it did a year ago, but he sees signs the Mountain Lions at 2-2 will come out OK in the end.

“I’m not really disappointed or concerned,” Jones said. “I see progress. We haven’t done well in games with (Tempe) Corona (del Sol) and Hamilton, but they’re both pretty darn good. We’ve done a good job in our other two games. I honestly think we’re getting better.”

Red Mountain has scored 28 points in its two losses, but just one touchdown came on offense.

If Brophy, Mesa and Red Mountain do reach the playoffs, they have to produce more points against playoff-caliber teams or their stays will be short.

On the flip side, the cards were stacked against Westwood at the season’s start. The Warriors almost started over completely on offense and defense. Add in new coach Greg Mendez and his new system and the Warriors’ job was doubly tough. Westwood has been shut out once (last week) and limited to a field goal in another of its losses. Turnovers haven’t helped the offense or defense.

WELL-PLACED BYE

For the second straight year, Gilbert Highland has spun a 4-1 record through its first five games with the same wins and losses as last year.

Coach Pete Wahlheim’s squad, which opened the season a week earlier than most schools, has a bye this week. The Hawks will use it to heal and get ready for games they didn’t win a year ago — four region games (Chandler, Hamilton, Gilbert and Gilbert Mesquite) and a nonregion contest with Phoenix Pinnacle. All of those teams made the playoffs last year. If the Hawks can win two of those this year, they are a good bet to be playoff bound.

“The bye comes at a good time for us,” Wahlheim said. “I think we are a better team than we were last year. We get a chance to prove it.”

Running the table?

It’s possible two teams in 5A-I could win out and finish the regular season 10-0. Tucson Salpointe, with wins over Chandler Basha, Gilbert, Phoenix Brophy and Tucson Sunnyside, faces little quality opposition the final six games. Only one of its upcoming opponents has a winning record (Tucson Ironwood Ridge). Mesa Mountain View faces Glendale Deer Valley, Chandler Basha and what has proven thus far to be a subpar East Valley Region. Mountain View’s toughest region challenge likely will come from Red Mountain. Both the Red Mountain and Basha games are home games for the Toros.

Dual threat

Gilbert Highland quarterback Drew Davis has taken the reins of the Hawks’ offense and is giving them solid production. Davis has rushed for 302 yards and averages 6.9 yards per rush. He’s completed 38 of 73 passes for 480 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. The emergence of running back Eli West, who in three games has rushed for 289 yards, gives Highland some quality weapons heading into region play next week.

Winning quality games

Mesa Skyline’s ability to take the next step in 5A-II will come when the Coyotes notch more than one quality win in a season. They posted a 7-4 record last year but knocked off just one team with a winning record (Mesa Desert Ridge). Their ability to topple Pinnacle, Tempe Marcos de Niza and/or Desert Ridge again will allow that next step to be taken.

All-Trib watch:  Scottsdale Notre Dame defensive back/receiver Taylor Malenfant returned two punts for touchdowns, had an interception and caught five passes for 57 yards in the Saints’ 54-9 win over Chandler Seton Catholic last week.

Say what?

“Personally, I cannot stand offense. If offense was a person, I think I’d punch it in the face.”

Corey Adams, Scottsdale defensive tackle, on playing both ways