Page 52 - 2020 Sollenberger

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3A Conference Football Preseason Rankings
Snowflake and RB Terren Green are reloading for another run at the 3A crown. (Chris Stanley photo/MaxPreps)
By Andy Morales azpreps365.com
1. SNOWFLAKE: Snowflake gave up an interception deep in its own territory late in the fourth quarter of the 2019 3A semifinal game, allowing Benjamin Franklin to take a 16-14 lead. But, with 28 seconds left, the Snowflake Lobos got another shot to reach their first final since 2014. A 35-yard field goal attempt, how- ever, failed. Benjamin Franklin won’t be in the way this season and neither will 2019 3A semifinalists Northwest Christian and American Leadership Academy Queen Creek. That trio moved up to 4A, and the Lobos remained in the 3A Conference as the team to beat despite losing QB Ethan Ramage (1,497 yards passing, 12 TDs) and RB Brig Turley (1,485 yards rushing, 24 TDs). Returning RB Terren Green (1,300 all-purpose yards) and
Jr. QB Caden Cantrell will lead the team and the Lobos will get Sr. Mayson McKinlay back from a knee injury, which kept him out all of last season. McKinlay is a threat as a RB and WR. Returning center/Jr. captain Carter Solomon adds experience and leader- ship. Returning RG David Ruiz is undersized but smart and plays big. Green also had 159 total tackles and leads a solid group of LBs. Bradley Ruiz and Solomon anchor a big, strong defensive front that should be difficult to move. Payson Cardon and Noah Baum return as quick, tough DEs. Cardon had 71 tackles from
his DE spot last season. Josh Solomon and Ryson Stuart bring back experience as CBs and the secondary will be tough with the return of McKinlay as a safety/OLB. Rev Brimhall, Nick McVicker, Camden Brimhall and Ty Solomon round out a solid group of LBs.
2. BLUE RIDGE: The Yellowjackets ran up against Snowflake in the quarterfinal round last year but a favorable seed this year could help Blue Ridge. Experience at QB with three-year starter PJ London (2,349 yards passing, 10 TDs) along with an experi- enced receiving corps, with each having at least two years of experience, will be huge for Blue Ridge. The Yellowjackets have four returning starting linemen with several big backups pushing them along with experience in the secondary. Inside LB’s are strong with good football sense and there’s increased size up front.
3. ROUND VALLEY: The Elks won the 2A state championship last year over Phoenix Christian, and both teams have moved up to the 3A Conference along with Thatcher. The 3A East Region will be gauntlet with Snowflake, Blue Ridge, Round Valley, Payson and Winslow. But Marcus Bell and his close-knit coaching staff are 90-26 at Round Valley. Bell led the Elks to the state title last year, and he earned runner-up finishes in 2013, 2016 and 2018. Other state titles for the program include 1966, 1970, 1971, 1979, 1980 and 1985 but those were also at the 2A level. The team loses RB Marc Irigoyen, who came up big with a 28-yard TD run with 4:06 left in the state final to give the Elks their first lead of the game. Phoenix Christian led 28-13 with 2:25 left in the third quarter but it was all Round Valley from there. Round Valley also loses QB Tayvin Bevell, but the program always seems to regroup.