Page 16 - 2020 Sollenberger

6A Conference Football Preseason Rankings
The Chandler Wolves, the defending inaugural Open Division champions, begin as the favorites in the state’s biggest conference. But 6A is laoded this year after realignment. (Mark Jones photo/MaxPreps)
By Les Willsey azpreps365.com
1. CHANDLER: Hard to find any reason not to christen Chan-
dler top of the heap. Rick Garretsen’s first-year as head coach couldn’t have been better. The Wolves were 13-0 and won the state’s inaugural Open Divison championship. Chandler enters the season with a 26-game winning streak dating back to Week 1 of 2018. The inexperienced varsity quarterback last year - Mikey Keene - stepped in and didn’t miss a beat directing the offense. When it came down to passing the now senior threw for 2,835 yards and 23 touchdowns. Getting the shot at the No. 1 running back in 2020 is Eli Sanders, who mustered 643 yards rushing and 10 TDs in eight games. Both the offense and defense are nearly intact starter-wise from last year. Defense has run stoppers, pass rushers and the intangibles to forge a championship. Chandler’s schedule is as challenging as it comes.
2. HAMILTON: Hamilton got itself untracked in 2018 after a losing season and missing the playoffs for the first time. But last year, the Huskies nearly knocked off Chandler in the regular-sea- son finale and lost by four to Saguaro in the Open, proving they were on their way back. There were some key holes to fill in the offseason, but suffice it to say those are covered. An infusion
of top players transferred from Colorado and Tucson, solving openings or at worst added depth at running back, receiver and defense. The quarterback is junior Nicco Marchiol, who arrived in spring from Regis Jesuit High and is one of the top prospects at the position in the country. As a freshman and sophomore
there he passed for 4,203 yards and 43 TDs. Also transferring in from Colorado is safety Jack Howell, who competed at Valor Christian. June made way for running back Noah Schmidt, who rushed for 1,815 yards and 16 TDs last season for Grandview High. The Tucson transplant is tight end Michael Masunas, a junior who played at Sabino last season. Masunas played well as a defensive lineman in a two-way role last year. Coach Mike Zdebski already had an experienced defense from last year, particularly at linebacker and secondary. Hamilton’s schedule is on par with Chandler.
3. RED MOUNTAIN: Red Mountain has taken a step closer to
a title each of coach Mike Peterson’s seasons as head coach
- quarters in 2017, semis in 2018 and title game in 2019. Red Mountain will feature an experienced defense as its calling card for 2020. The unit has seven returning starters and has strength at each of the three levels. Linebacker is top level, led by junior Parker McClure (117 tackles). Safety play is in the capable
hands of seniors George Ramirez and Ethan Peterson. Returning starters on offense are in short supply, but there should be a healthy battle at starting quarterback and talent waiting to burst at running back and receiver. The Mountain Lions’ schedule is favorable for wins in its freedom games. That leaves its new re- gion, tougher top to bottom than the old East Valley, to navigate. It includes 6A newcomers Williams Field and Casteel and familar foe Desert Ridge.
16