Page 5 - AIA Football Program 2A-Open

TEAMS IN BRIEF
Chandler: The Wolves sport highly-efficient veter- an-quarterback and senior Mikey Keene - 1,569 yards passing, 19 TDs, 1 INT and a 72 percent completion rate. At running back is senior Eli Sanders, the bell cow of the ground attack this year with 890 yards and 14 TDs. Top receiving threat is junior Kyion Grayes (542 yards, 10 TDs, 20 yards per catch). The Wolves defense is the best around, surrendering 57 points this season (8.14 per game).
Hamilton: The Huskies offense revolves around a trio of newcomers, led this season by dual-threat quarter- back Nicco Marchiol, who was injured in the team’s regular season finale. Marchiol’s passed for 1,239 yards and 7 TDs, and rushed for 412 yards and five addition- al scores. The ground game features senior transfers Noah Schmidt and Rodney Clemente, who combined for 850 yards and 17 TDs. Defense hasn’t been as stout the second half of the season, giving up 32 points a game the last three weeks vs. quality opponents High- land, Higley and Chandler.
Saguaro: The Sabercats’ offense, while not as prolific as in years past, gets the job done with a committee approach. Top skill player is junior back Javen Jacobs, a playmaker via running or receiving. Defense is its strong suit with three shutouts and is allowing eight points a game. Defensive leaders reside up front with with senior Quintin Somerville and junior Tristan Mon- day, who have picked up where they left up last sea- son. Both stand out overall and particularly when pres- suring quarterbacks.
Centennial: The Coyotes appear to have made the most progress from Game 1 to the present. Not un- expected, given its history. Ground game has excelled since season-opening loss to Hamilton led by sopho- more Kavaughn Clark, who has 880 yards, wth more than 500 the last two weeks. Five games of 100 yards or more. Combined with junior James Scott the pair have 17 TDs. Its losses are to Hamilton and Chandler.
Liberty: The Lions, last year’s 6A state champs, try their luck in the Open. New coach Colin Thomas, promoted from offensive coordinator, has pieced together a nifty offense. Junior quarterback Brock Mast (1,793 yards, 19 TDs) distributes the ball. Top threat is sophomore back Zaccheus Cooper. He leads the team in rushing and receiving yards. Liberty slugs it out with oppo- nents, averaging 35 points a game and giving up 27.
Salpointe Catholic: New coach Eric Rogers has kept things humming, piloting a third consecutive unbeat- en regular season for the Lancers. Junior quarterback Treyson Bourguet, between transferring last year and COVID disruption this year, has about a full season un- der his belt leading the offense. He’s thrown for 899 yards and 13 TDs. Running game not what it was last year, but offense is balanced.
Corona del Sol: The Aztecs have been busy. Fourth-year coach Jon Becktold has the program climbing. They’ve posted a first-ever unbeaten season, a region title and Open Division berth in the same season. The competi- tion, however, is about to ramp up. Senior quarterback Quade Swearingen and junior running back Anyale Velazquez will be challenged to keep perfection in or- der. Swearingen has passed for 1,318 yards, 14 TDs with only 3 INT. Velazquez is a workhorse (974 yards, 12 TDs). Top receiving targets are Jake Schmidt and Bryce Douglass (41 catches, 770 yards and 8 TDs be- tween them). Defense must be at its very best, which it has been so far allowing 7.38 points a game.
Desert Edge: The Scorpions are in their first year in 5A, having moved up due to their prowess in 4A in recent seasons. The Carters - Marcus and Mark - have kept the program churning while moving over from South Mountain. Desert Edge has acquitted itself well as the 8-0 record states. It has wins over three-high seeds - one in each of the 6A, 5A and 4A playoff fields - #3 San- dra Day O’Connor (6A), #1 Sunrise Mountain (5A) and #4 Cactus (4A). Keeping their unbeaten season alive will be a supreme challenge with Chandler possessing a 33--game winning streak since the 2018 opener and four straight championships. Junior quarterback Adry- an Lara (1,881 yards, 19 TDs, 2 INT) and junior running back Jeryll McIntosh (1,074 yards, 8 TDs) will be under the microscope against the Wolves’ elite defense.