Page 55 - 2020 Sollenberger

By Andy Morales azpreps365.com
Sabino’s Skaggs a student of the game
While the Phoenix area is known for its great high school quarterbacks, southern Arizona embraced the running game with the likes of Bijan Robin- son, Ka’Deem Carey, Michael Bates, Mario Bates, Vance Johnson, Fred Sims and David Adams.
The result? 8,000 to 10,000 career passing yards is seen as a dominant stat line in Phoenix but 5,000 is viewed as the benchmark of a great QB in the Tucson area due to the differences in offensive styles.
Former Pinnacle QB Spencer Rattler threw for state record 11,083 yards before graduating in 2019, and former Catalina Foothills standout Rhett Rodriguez collected 8,694 from 2013 to 2016 to set the southern Arizona standard.
The group just under 5,000 career passing yards is numerous, and most promising careers end between 4,000 and 5,000 yards. But Sabino senior A.J. Skaggs is the latest to knock on the door and enter into this elite group.
His predecessor at Sabino, Alex Bell, graduated in 2018 with 4,347 career passing yards, and Skaggs has 4,119 entering his senior season with the Sa- bercats. Skaggs helped lead the Sabercats to a 10-3 record and 3A semifinal finish in 2018 as a sophomore and an 8-4 record and a quarterfinal finish last year.
But he also lost five of his top six receivers to graduation or transfer. Sr. WR Dawson Szarek (313 yards receiving, 5 TDs) was number four on his list of receivers last year.
AZPreps365.com caught up with the talented incoming senior this summer to talk about his 2020 goals, recruiting and new corps of Sabino receivers.
Q: First, can you tell us how you see your team this year and what the mindset is?
A: Our mindset for this year is to eliminate all the little mistakes we made last year and play as a single unit every single week. Our team this year is coming back with a lot of young talent and lots of experience, be on the lookout for some rising freshmen and sophomores to step up and make a big impact this year.
Q: On a personal note, you are about 900 yards away from doing what only 11 other QBs in the history of Southern Arizona have done with a realistic shot at finishing somewhere in the top 10 in career passing yards. Is that something you think about or is it something that will come when it comes?
A: It’s not something I’m thinking about right now. The only goal on my mind is to give everything I have every week and lead my team to a state championship. If it happens then it happens, and that would be a huge honor, but right now all that’s on my mind is preparing my team to be the best we can be once the season starts.
Q: You lost five of your top six targets from graduation or transfer. Tell us about your next group of receivers.
A: Yes, we had lots of talented receivers who I can count on to make
plays when we need to. This year I have been working with my guys since December, building that chemistry that we need so when the game is on
the line I can trust them to go make a play. Some of the names to look out for are Gabe Garcia, Dawson Szarek, Beau Chaney and many more. I’m very confident in this year’s receiving corps and think they have a shot to be even greater than last year’s.
Q: You were an Ed Doherty nominee and you are invited to the prestigious Hawaii Tiki Bowl in Hawaii. Tell us a bit about those recognitions and what they mean to you and the program.
A: Yes, both of those recognitions were a huge honor for me especially being an Ed Doherty award nominee. It’s something I’ve wanted since I was a kid, so getting that was awesome. However, there were lots of mistakes
I made last year which I am looking to eliminate this season. I have been watching film every single day and perfecting my craft since December so I’m looking to have an even better season than I did last year. My game is night and day different from last season, and I can’t wait for all this work to pay off in games.
Q: How is your collegiate recruiting going?
A: It’s going great, however, it’s very tough during these times. I have been putting video together of my training every month to send out to coaches and I also filmed all my field tests since we aren’t able to go to any combines or camps. Most schools I have been talking to are Ivy League/FCS schools who have been amazing to me and my family during these uncertain times, and I look forward to continuing to build these relationships with them.
Sabino quarterback A.J. Skaggs keeps moving up the southern Arizona passing charts. (Andy Morales photo/azpreps365.com)
Sabino - 3A South Region
Head coach: Ryan McBrayer.
Years as school’s head coach: 3.
2019 record: 8-4.
Returning starters on offense, 2019 stats: Sr. QB AJ Skaggs 6-1 (2,495 yards passing, 25 TDs.), 200; Jr. RB Kenny Blackman 5-9, 180 (356 yards rushing, 5 TDs.; Jr. OT Jake Warman 6-1, 210; Jr. OT Travis Morin 6-0, 210; Jr. OG Logan Sowers 5-9, 190; Sr. WR Dawson Szarek 5-9, 170 (313 yards receiving, 5 TDs.).
Returning starters on defense, 2019 stats: Sr. LB Luke Thompson 6-1, 210 (102 tackles); Sr. DE Beau Chaney 6-7, 230; Sr. DT Adam Brauer 6-5, 300; Jr. DB Derek Sanchez 5-10, 160; Sr. DB Korbin Muklebust 5-9, 150 (42 tackles).
Also keep an eye on: Sr. C/OG Zach Brown 6-2, 300; Jr. LB Zachary Tolson 5-10, 180; Jr. DB Nezayah Stubblefield 6-3, 165; Jr. RB Alex Lopez 5-9, 160; So. WR Dom Parsons 6-1, 170.
Strengths of offense: QB with lots of talent and experience. Four Return- ing O-Linemen with starting experience. Home run capable RB.
Strengths of defense: Athletes on the back end. Long defensive ends. Big defensive tackles.
Team’s biggest question mark(s): How are last year’s role players able to handle spotlight? Who is going to catch the ball? Linebacker play.
2020 expectations: Show up ready to go every week. Continue the legacy of Sabino football.
More about program: Family affair: Under QB Coach Collin McBrayer (brother of HC Ryan) Sabino QB’s have thrown for 85 TD’s in the last three years.
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