Page 57 - 2020 Sollenberger

Gilbert Christian
Head coach: Danny Norris.
Years as school’s head coach: 1.
2019 record: 5-5.
Returning starters on offense, 2019 stats: Jr. QB/FS Matthew Hershey 5-10, 180 (543 yards offense); Sr. OL/LB Luke Webb 6-0, 210; Sr. RB/LB Darion Martin-Dant- zler 5-8, 190; Sr. TE/DL Nigel Stanbury 6-1, 210; Sr. RB/CB Marcus McWilliams 6-1, 175; Sr. RB/DB Brody Curtner 6-0, 175 (309 yards rushing, 4 TDs.); Jr. OL/DL Luke Bishop 5-8, 200; Jr. RB/DB Caden Heyn 6-0, 170.
Returning starters on defense, 2019 stats: Jr. QB/FS Matthew Hershey 5-10, 180; Sr. OL/LB Luke Webb 6-0, 210; Sr. RB/LB Darion Martin-Dantzler 5-8, 190; Sr. TE/DL Nigel Stanbury 6-1, 210; Sr. RB/CB Marcus McWilliams 6-1, 175; Sr. RB/DB Brody Curtner 6-0, 175; Jr. RB/DB Caden Heyn 6-0, 170; Sr. LB/K Jace Feely 6-1, 180; So. RB/DB Hayden Smith 5-10, 160.
Also keep an eye on: So. OL/DL David Brewer 5-10, 170; Jr. OL/DL Xander Heaney 5-8, 170; Jr. TE/DL Ryan Coleman 5-10, 175; So. OL/DL Gavin Biesterfeld 6-2, 180; So. OL/DL Caleb Panepinto 5-8, 160.
Strengths of offense: We return our QB, Matthew Hershey. He is a smart young man with a versatile skill set that we will take more advantage of in 2020. Our skill players are going to be another year older and stronger. Marcus McWilliams will be a dynamite player for us this year.
Strengths of defense: Our secondary returns everyone and will be a definite strength going into the season. Seniors Luke Webb and Nigel Stanbury will lead our front seven.
Team’s biggest question mark(s): We are going to miss our 2019 class in terms of production and leadership. Our offensive line will be young. We will need to get stronger and grow through adversity early on in the season.
2020 expectations: We will compete with effort, discipline, integrity and love for the game, as well as our opponents every single week.
METRO EAST
Coronado
Head coach: Curt LeBlanc.
Years as school’s head coach: 2.
2019 record: 0-10.
Returning starters on offense, 2019 stats: Sr. QB Mikel James 5-9, 175; Jr. WR Daijon Safford 6-0, 165 (937 yards receiving, 8 TDs.); Sr. OG Tim Allen 6-0, 250 So. TE Anthony Goseyun 6-2, 185; Jr. WR Isaiah Brown 6-1, 165.
Returning starters on defense, 2019 stats: Sr. SS Mikel James 5-9, 175; Jr. OLB Isaiah Brown 6-1, 165; Sr. OLB Owen Peabody 6-1, 170; Jr. LB Jalen Cardenas 5-7, 165; Jr. FS Daijon Safford 6-0, 165; Jr. LB William Bermejo 5-10, 165; Sr. DB Robert Kendricks 6-0, 170; Sr. DB Juan Booth 5-10, 165.
Strengths of offense: Returning two year starter at QB. Returning starter at WR. New OC.
Strengths of defense: Return leading tackler Peabody. Return starting LB James. Return starting LB Brown. New DC.
Team’s biggest question mark(s): Total numbers in program. Ability to learn two new schemes (O & D). Staying healthy for duration of season.
2020 expectations: No eligibility issues. No injuries. Improve on last season. More about program: Despite the low numbers of our program, quite proud of how tough our kids have competed despite their overall lack of experience in the game. The attitude of our kids has been exemplary.
Fountain Hills
Head coach: Jason Henslin.
Years as school’s head coach: 3.
2019 record: 4-6.
Returning starters on offense, 2019 stats: Sr. QB Shane Davenport 6-2, 180 (1,820 yards passing, 16 TDs.); Jr. LT Porter Sweet 6-2, 205; Jr. RB Calvin Lupien 6-1, 170 (507 yards rushing, 4 TDs.); Jr. C JT Despain 6-0, 210; Jr. RG Hector Leon 6-3, 245; Jr. WR Jake Barnard 5-9, 155.
Returning starters on defense, 2019 stats: Sr. SS Braden Wendt 5-9, 160 (66 tackles); Jr. DE Porter Sweet 6-2, 205 (84 tackles, 4 sacks); Sr. LB Connor Smout 5-10, 175 (53 tackles); Sr. LB Brandon Colabianchi 6-0, 172; Jr. CB Jake Barnard 5-9, 155; Jr. DT Tyler Cardello 6-2, 195; Jr. DT Hector Leon 6-3, 245.
Also keep an eye on: Jr. WR Savion Boone 5-11, 150; So. RB/OLB Gavin Furi 5-8, 145.
Strengths of offense: QB play. Shane is entering his third season as starter, he’s ready to lead this team and control the game by playing smart football. Offensive Line - for the first time in a few years we’re returning three upperclassman start- ers. They should make big running lanes for Calvin, Gavin and others.
Strengths of defense: We return seven starters from last year’s team. They are all experienced now and have been getting stronger in the off-season.
Team’s biggest question mark(s): How will this team gel? We dealt with some internal issues last season that affected us on the field. Our off-season leader meetings have focused on bringing team unity and cohesion.
2020 expectations: Our goals are to play disciplined, tough football. We won’t have more players than anyone or the biggest ones. We’ve been preaching disci- pline with details while giving 100% effort in practice and games.
Payson
Head coach: Bryan Burke.
Years as school’s head coach: 2.
2019 record: 8-3.
Returning starters on offense, 2019 stats: QB/DB Trevor Cline 6-1, 205 (1,876 yards passing, 20 TDs., 1,022 yards rushing, 12 TDs.); OL/DL Soto Sellis 5-11, 219; OL/DL Connor Faust 6-0, 210; OL/DL Zac Cancasci 5-10, 220; OL/DL Rohan Smith 5-11, 215; RB/LB Travis Christianson 6-1, 185; WR/DB Jojo Ortiz 5-11, 145. Returning starters on defense, 2019 stats: QB/DB Trevor Cline 6-1, 205 (40 tack- les, 4 INTs.); WR/DB Jojo Ortiz 5-11, 145; OL/DL Soto Sellis 5-11, 219 (42 tackles); OL/DL Connor Faust 6-0, 210 (41 tackles, 5 sacks); RB/LB Travis Christianson 6-1, 185 (109 tackles, 3 sacks).
Also keep an eye on: Sr. DL, Cyrus Krieger, 5-11, 210; Sr. RB Bladimir Benitez, 5-9, 155; Jr. LB/FB Nick Dimbat, 5-8, 176; Sr. 12, LB, Tory Daniels, 5-10, 150; So. WR/ DB Dexter Waterman, 5-8, 145.
Strengths of offense: Returning first team 3A Conference Offensive Flex player Trevor Cline is a dual threat. Returning 4/5 Offensive line and talented RBs will lead to a strong downhill run game. Very flexible offense that can be very versa- tile without changing personnel.
Strengths of defense: Strong and physical D line that will be tough to run against. Lots of experience returning in a secondary that led 3A in interceptions in 2019. Team’s biggest question mark(s): Depth in receiving corps. Secondary.
2020 expectations: Repeat as 3A East Region Champs. Deep Run into the play- offs.
Valley Christian
Head coach: Jake Peterson.
Years as school’s head coach: 1st year.
2019 record: 8-3.
Returning starters on offense, 2019 stats: Jr. QB Jadon Hanzal 6-0, 165 (1,073 yards passing, 9 TDs., 540 yards receiving, 4 TDs.; Sr. RB Tony Gomez, Jr. 5-9 (672 yards rushing, 13 TDs.).
Returning starters on defense, 2019 stats: Jr. LB Justin Regehr 6-0, 195; Jr. LB Treyten Hortsman 6-1, 175.
Team’s biggest question mark(s): Moved from Metro West to Metro East.
METRO WEST
Bourgade Catholic
Head coach: Marcel Lopez.
Years as school’s head coach: 3.
2019 record: 6-4.
Returning starters on offense, 2019 stats: Sr. QB Matthew Espinoza 5-8, 140; Sr. WR Sean Trujillo 6-0, 174; Sr. WR Noah Dreher 5-7, 155 (370 yds receiving, 5 TD). Sr. WR Sebastian Gameros (5-11, 170); Sr. WR Joseph Chavez (5-10, 160); Sr. OL Eric Erran (5-10, 220).
Returning starters on defense, 2019 stats: Sr. LB Chase Bonheimer 5-9, 174 (58 tackles); Sr. DE Jack Sullivan 6-3, 188; Sr. LB Brody Gatson 5-10, 182; Sr. DB Sean Trujillo 6-0, 174; Sr. DB Joseph Chavez 5-10, 160; Sr. DT Mark Mendoza 5-9, 235; Sr. DT Eric Erran 5-10, 220.
Strengths of offense: This will be the deepest and most experienced WR group that we have had at Bourgade Catholic. We have a lot of different packages that we are able to use that allow us to be pretty dynamic with our offense. Strengths of defense: We have a solid group of players returning on the defen- sive side. This defense will be fast and physical with a lot of big hitters getting after the ball carriers. We have a strong group of experienced LB’s that will lead our defense this year.
Team’s biggest question mark(s): This is the first time in three years where a new QB will be taking snaps for us. Espinoza has waited his turn and has worked hard in the weight room and on the field to prepare himself for this opportunity. All of the weapons are there and now we just have to get them the ball.
2020 expectations: We expect to be in contention for the region and make the playoffs this year. This group is led by an outstanding senior class that will be the first group to have been in this system for four years.
More about program: Marcel Lopez won a state championship playing for St. Mary’s.
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