Catalina – head coach Sam Rolfe
2008 Record
4-6
New Region
Gila
# of Returning Starters
17
Focus on Spring Ball
Offensive Line Play
Surprise Player that Emerged out of Spring/ 7 on 7
Darrian McIver
JV player from last year expected to make an impact
Logan Giessuebel
Goals of 2009
State Playoffs
Top Players for 09
Darrian McIver QB
Ray Morales RB
Eddie Hernandez FB/LB
Oliver Sanchez FS
Marc Gibbs OL
Michael Mora WR/LB
Tyler Diffenderfer WR
Copper Canyon - Head Coach: Mike Segovia
2008 Record:
1-9
New Region:
4A1 West Valley
Thoughts on new region:
The region should be pretty tough. The teams are well coached and play hard, should be a battle every Friday.
# of returning starters:
Offense: 5
Defense: 5
Focus on spring ball:
This spring we focused on implementing our system but more importantly on the attitude of the students. Getting them to focus on football and believe in what we are doing.
How you thought spring ball/ 7 on 7 went:
Overall I think it went ok. We are better right now than we were when we started spring ball in May. The kids are starting to understand the amount of hard work and dedication it’s going to take from them in order for us to be successful.
Surprise player coming out of spring?
Francisco Clamor OL, this is his first year playing football he has always been a basketball player. But he has a great frame (6’3 270) and good feet, he could develop into a good player for us.
Lower level player that will make an impact?
We have high hopes for some of sophomores. We really think CJ Palmer, Michael Grubbs and Johnny Allen could end up being real good football players for us.
Goals for 2009:
To play with confidence and commitment
Players that have stood out:
Our senior class really could end up being the class that begins to establish some tradition here. Our senior leaders have been working hard and have become leaders in the program and on campus.
QB – Steven Plasencio
S – Billy Bushong
LB – Damon Lacy
RB – Blaine Griffin
OL – Gaulier Mota
OL – Zahir Nieblas
LB – Jose Suarez
All seven of these seniors have really bought into our system and taken leadership roles. We expect big things from them this season.
Coconino – head coach Tadd Ragan
2008 Record
1-9
New Region
Same Grand Canyon
Thoughts on New Region
Although Bradshaw Mountain moved to 4A1, Mohave is a tough opponent added to the region. However, as everybody knows the title goes through Mingus.
# of Returning Starters
11 returning starters, most of which are seniors that have been varsity football since they were sophomores. We also return our QB Casey Sifling, who is a two year starter entering his Junior year.
Focus on Spring Ball
The focus on Spring ball was fundamentals, the passing game and the new defense.
Surprise Player that Emerged out of Spring/ 7 on 7
Surprise players from Spring are underclassmen - Joe Valdivia, JR 5'10 160 RB/SS and Howard Riley 6'3 240 SO Line.
JV player from last year expected to make an impact
Matt Ruiz 5'10 180 RB/LB and Andre Tafoya 6'2 150 WR
Goals of 2009
Just take it one play at a time and one game at a time
Top Players for 09
Zeno Joyce
Isaac Hector
Brady Nittmann
Nate Zobott
Troy Drouin
Sunnyslope – head coach Tim Mayfield
# of returning Offensive starters:
7 including QB Ben Maraz (2nd Team All Region QB) and RB Jesse McGrath (2nd Team All Region RB)
# of returning Defensive starters:
5 including DL Sam Montini (2nd Team All Region DL)
2008 JV Record:
3-5
2008 Freshman Record:
2-7
Outstanding returning players:
Jesse McGrath-RB/LB-SR-5’11”-210
Ben Maraz-QB-JR-6’1”-205
Michael Bolinger-WR/DB-SR-5’10”-160
Grady Callaghan-WR/LB-SR-5’10”-165
Anderw Sapozink –OL/DL-SR-6’1”-230
Sam Montini OL/DL-SR-5’11”-195
New incoming talent potential:
Ashton Young-WR/DB-JR-6’1”-190
Denny Robertson-RB/LB-5’11”-175
Michael Stoeber-WR/LB-JR-5’11”-175
Team strengths/weaknesses:
Our team’s weakness which it has been for the past 13 years is our size. We work hard in the weight room and off season conditioning but our OL/DL have a tough time against bigger players. Our strength should be our experience. Especially on offense we return a JR QB Ben Maraz who has started the last two years and RB Jesse McGrath who with a good year could be a D1 prospect. Last year we were able to make it to the state playoffs and our SO’s & JR’s who played significant minutes are determined to get back to the playoffs again this year.
2009 Season Outlook:
After installing a new offense last year we look to build on that success in 2009. We have several players returning in key skill positions on both offense and defense, if we can stay healthy and our young players continue to get better both on and off the field we should make it back to the state playoffs. Our goal is to win the region title and a return to the state playoffs. We open with a difficult 2 games versus the Greenway Demons and then with Saguaro Sabercats, we will be tested early. Top team in our region will be Prescott & Shadow Mountain.
Maryvale – head coach Pat Rowe
2008 record
0-10
New Region
Metro
Returning Starters
Offense 7, defense 6
Focus on spring ball
How hard are you willing to work and be committed?
How do you think 7 on 7 and spring ball went?
Spring ball was good; 7 on 7 we were either good or bad, we are looking for consistency. Lineman challenges were excellent, we went to a couple at Millennium and one at
Copper Canyon and I thought we were the best there. And at the Surprise Lineman Challenge we felt we were one of the top three lines there.
Surprise Players coming out of summer/spring
Rigo Garcia (LB/FB), Saul DeLeon (LB/TE) both sophomores
JV Player that will make an impact
Terell Braddy RB
Goals for 2009
Win the region
Players that stood out this summer
Hector Medina (6-2, 300) OL/DL, Adrian Lopez (6-3, 280) OL/DL, Alfredo Soto 5-11, 200 (OL/DL), Ruben Reynoso 5-8, 240 (OL/DL), Edwin Garcia (6-2, 230) OL/DL, Eric Gastelo (6-2, 200) OL/DL
Cienega – head coach Nemer Hassey
2008 Record
9-3
New Region
4A Kino
Thoughts on New Region
Solid
# of Returning Starters
11
Focus on Spring Ball
Sharpen the passing game and develop a new QB
Surprise Player that Emerged out of Spring/ 7 on 7
Willie Willis
JV player from last year expected to make an impact
Isaac Jones
Goals of 2009
Win our region and win the state championship
Top Players for 09
Ronnie Burton
Trent Simon
Jordan Christenson
JJ Gorosave
Michael Karder
Gabe Gonzales
Seth Fowler
Angel Gago
Pat Murphy
David Winkles
Adam Valenzuela
Cesar Chavez – head coach Jim Rattay
2008 Record
7-4
New Region
Desert West
Thoughts on New Region
Very challenging
# of Returning Starters
9
How you thought Spring ball/7 on 7
Went great
Surprise player coming out of Spring
Receiver Matt Ruiz and lineman and Juan Burrciaga
JV player that will make impact
Chevon Bryant
Goals for 2009
Every day, every play
Players that have stood out to you this summer
Eware Webb and Eric Benitez – linemen
Sahuaro – associate head coach David Rodriguez
Last season’s record:
2-8
Last season’s region record:
1-4
# of starters lost:
7
# of starters returning:
17 letter-winners return
Top Returners:
- Matt San Angelo OL/DL SR 6’3 270: Returning starter who will anchor our o-line that will average 6’3 and 250.
- Kevin Ackerley QB JR 6’1 180 Part time starter last season. Athletic QB with good arm strength and field savvy. Also a member of our track/field team.
- Keith Howe RB/DB SR 5’11 185 Will split time at running back. Potential game breaker. Will also play cornerback on defense.
- Deon Clash OL/DL SR 6’2 255 Part of our big o-line, but will also anchor our aggressive defensive line.
-Drew McKeever RB/LB SR 6’0 205 A standout baseball player, will split time at running back, but will be the anchor of our linebacking corps.
- Dylan Blondeaux OL/LB 6’0 205 SR. Returning starter at LB. Will be vital part of our success defensively. State qualifier at 189 lbs. in wrestling.
- Phil Baechler OL/DL 6’3 265 SR. One of our hardest working players in all facets. Also a team favorite.
- Fernando Aguilar WR/DB 5’8 155 SR. Despite his apparent lack of size, Fernando is an outstanding receiver. Has the surest hands on the team. Also a member of our wrestling and track/field team.
- Christian Moeykens WR/DB 5’9 155 Christian is one of our better DB’s. Will be called on to anchor the secondary. Is also a letterwinner in track and tennis.
Top Newcomers:
-Niko Kittrell WR/DB 6’3 220 Niko has the physical tools to be a major force in the future. Will also play safety in our secondary.
-Kyle Cady K/P 5’11 155 Is developing into a big time talent at his position. Also is a letterwinner in Soccer, Track, and Tennis.
-Taylor Day OL/DL 6’3 225 JR Starting Olineman. Took 4th at state tournament in wrestling.
Greenway – head coach Mike Brown
Preview: QB- battle between Daniel Rankin 6’0/180 Sr and Zander McCean 6’0/182 Sr (transfer from Perry). Rankin will play TB if not QB. Other TBs Marshall Galbraith 5’8/150 Sr and Shawn Jones 5’11/175 Jr. TE is Tyler Bergsten 6’3/210 Jr. WRs Ryan Harper 6’2/175 Sr (offers from NMSU, Air Force, NAU), Ronnie Sellers 5’10/150 Sr. Left OT is Hayden Pase (6’3/225 Sr). FB will be split between Harrison Johnson (6’1/185 Jr) and Chase Harpole (5’11/170 Sr). All these guys started at some point last year. Josh Taase 6’7/395 Jr started at DT last year and will also play OT. Johnson will be an ILB along with Harpole, Rankin and Harper are the safeties, corners will be Sellers and Gamal Oakey (6’0/165 Sr). DEs Pase and Mike Pawlowski (6’1/195 Sr), who started last year. Josh Feldman (5’11/210 Sr) is an OLB and will also play OG. Need more OLine guys to step up in order to be successful.
Desert Mountain – head coach Tony Tabor
2008 Record
5-5
Thoughts on New Region
I really like our new region (Chap, NC, St. Mary's, Pinnacle and Horizon) All good teams who can play and be dangerous. I know all the coaches very well and have coached with 3 of them. Dana Zupke, Brian Cole and Charlie Ragle. Very tough region that all teams could make a run.
# of Returning Starters
We return 7 on offense and 7 on defense.
Focus on Spring Ball
Focus on spring ball was about getting better at the 3-4 defense and putting in more of the true zone offense.
How you thought Spring ball/7 on 7 went
Spring ball went well and 7 on 7 went well. We competed hard (finished 2nd at U of A tournament) and played tough competition all summer.
Surprise player coming out of Spring
Sam Demare coming out of spring, who transferred over from ND, will start for us at receiver and play corner.
JV player that will make impact
JV players who will make an impact is Anthony Snyder, Nick Rana, Z Parham and Allen Temunovic.
Goals for 2009
We want to make the playoffs here at DM for the first time since 97 and we feel if we stay healthy and play smart that we can make a run with our returning depth and experience. Goals- win our region and make a playoff run.
Stand out players-
Kevin Radcliffe QB 6ft 180lbs
Dekota D'Angelo Rec/Db 6ft 180lbs
Shane Williams Lb/Rb 5ft 9in/ 195lbs
Charlie Andrews Te/De 6ft 4in/ 235lbs
Tyeler Davison Ng/Ot 6ft 2in/ 280lbs/ several div 1 offers
Matt Mitchell C/Lb 6ft 210
Kyle Tokasey S/Rec 6ft 170lbs