Page 65 - 2020 Sollenberger

4. PARKER: The Broncs aren’t done. In 2019, the program re- corded its first 10-win season since 2000 and first 6-0 start since 1969. They also won their first playoff game in eight seasons, which whet their postseason appetite. “We are going to take
experience is ambitious: #best2Ateamever. “Yes,” said Taylor when asked if it’s state title or bust. “Not only do we want to win a state championship, but we have the tools to be the best 2A team ever. “That’s what we are chasing.” The 2A has been put on alert, but then again if you follow Taylor on Twitter and his hashtags you probably already knew that.
8. MORENCI: Last year, despite making the playoffs, was a down year for the team. But coach Joseph Garcia expects his young team (17 freshmen, a strong sophomore class, 7-8 seniors) to bounce back this year after playing one of 2A toughest sched- ules. With 49 kids in the program, depth won’t be an issue for Morenci this year. “Our younger guys are stepping up,” Garcia said. “Our o-line is starting to gel and backs are hitting the holes better. Our defense will be younger, but it flies to the ball.” Two sophomores, Daylen Johnson and Derek Saenz, were battling for the starting quarterback spot. Saenz is the mobile QB, and John- son is the thrower. Sr. L.T. Morey will carry the load at halfback for a program known for its physicality. This year, the team is starting a new defensive line, but it returns 15 starters.
9. CHANDLER PREP: The 2A track record of the coaching Brit- tains, father Tommy and son Josh, is a good one. So expect Chan- dler Prep to build on what former coach Chris Goodman started. The next step is to win the program’s first ever playoff game.
The Brittains love their teams to be physical on both sides of the ball. So moving their strongest player, Sam Martin, a 1,000-yard rusher last year, to the line wasn’t too surprising. Whatever the team needs, that was Martin’s take, Tommy said. With only one returning lineman, Chandler Prep needs some heft there. Look for returning started quarterback Reece Villaboy, senior RB/LB Aidan Daly and sophomore Sterling Harris to lead the charge offensively in the Brittain’s ground game. Harris was injured somewhat last year but is a dynamic and talented player, Tommy said. Of the 28 kids on the team, 16 are juniors. Tommy loves what he sees from his defense so far, saying, “They are coach- able. Not big but fast and will be assignment ready.” Daly, the leading tackler last year, senior lineman Daniel Peake, who didn’t miss a summer training day, DL Langston Harris, Sterling’s older brother, and Villaboy are just some of the defensive standouts. Returning to the sidelines for the Brittains also is Tommy’s dad, 79-year-old Gary, who will coach the offensive line. “He’s an old school guy who doesn’t mince words,” Tommy said.
10. MIAMI: An emergency school board decision gave Miami
the go-ahead to start practicing in early September. It was good news for Miami but bad for opponents. The Vandals, a program that turns 100 in 2023, are capable of reaching the second round of the playoffs for only the second time since 1993. “I was just
so excited to play this season,” coach Brandon Powell said. “We return nine starters on offense and eight on defense.” Powell thought he had to run the ball more this season after losing a tight end a receiver. But he’ll continue to spread the ball around thanks to the progress the Peña twins, sophomores Angel and Jaime, made in the offseason and the addition of Wisconsin transfer Chris Laughman. “Three diamonds to help keep the fo- cus off Gabe Escobedo (1,617 receiving yards, 17 TDs last year),” Powell said. As a freshman, Angel was Miami’s leading tackler last year, but he and his brother will also serve as receivers this season. Credit Powell’s son, Ryan, for getting the Peñas up to speed on offense during the summer. Laughman will line up on the opposite side of Escobedo. Expect Jr. RB Justin Cook (992 rushing yards in 2019) to catch more out of the backfield as well. The offensive line returns four starters, more good news for a Miami team that’s expecting Ryan (32 TD passes, 2,917 passing yards in 2019) to run the ball a lot also. Angel, Sr. NG Skyler Guerrero and Sr. DE Jayven Badilla are the generals of Miami’s experienced defense. And, we didn’t forget, but Miami’s other big goal is to beat rival Globe and keep the Copper Kettle for a third straight year.
65
it one week at a time, but they are real hungry,” coach Jeston Lotts said. This is the most size and depth Lotts carried in his nine years as the program’s coach. The starting offensive line weighs in at 215, 230, 255, 265 and 275. The leader of the big group is guard Abraham Silva. Sr. Emanuel “E-Man” Alaniz (1,300 rushing yards, 16 TDs last year) is one of the top running backs in 2A. But he’s not the only 1,000-yard rusher in Parker’s Wing-T. Sr. Uriah Martinez (20 TDs last year), whose brother Ezra is the starting center, also is back. A more seasoned Fabian Lamas, a Sr. QB, is heading into his second season under center. “There’s still some work to be done,” Lotts said. “We need to see if we can be physical and wear the good teams down.” The defense is young but also athletic and big. Only five seniors dot Parker’s roster, but the junior class dresses about 17 players. The junior leaders are Tyson Ross, Joe Martinez, Cameron Poole, Silva and Jacob Bennet. Needless to say, the team and Parker community can’t wait to open the season against rival Wickenburg and make a run at their first state title since 1971.
5. TRIVIUM PREP: Some advice for opponents. Don’t pay too much attention to All-State WR August Hubbard (6-4, 180) this season. Do so and risk getting burned by Trivium Prep’s added speed on the outside, including coach Michael Spencer’s son, Dylan, a slot receiver. Another Trivium Prep player who’s not hard to miss is RB Josh DeGraves. The program isn’t expecting its run game to slow down behind the 6-3, 220-pound senior. There’s work to be done on the team’s offensive and defensive lines, but three-year starter Luke Hirth and senior Cameron Bunger are a pair of 6-3, 200-plus pound linemen who can open lanes for DeGraves. Staying healthy and the production of a new quarterback will be key this year. “We prepare to win every game,” coach Spencer said. “There won’t be much of a drop
off, but the younger talent needs to step up this season.” Since joining 2A in 2018, Trivium Prep hasn’t dropped a regular season game.
6. VERITAS PREP: Since almost everybody returns, the expec- tations are higher for the Phoenix team after last season’s 8-3 overall, undefeated region season. The team’s speed and athlet- icism should make up for the lack of size. “We lost some bodies but not ability,” coach Jason Black said. “We can attack from different angles defensively, and with all the returning pieces we don’t have to start over. We just have to add to what they know.” Dual threat Gage Lentz (2,258 passing yards, 26 passing TDs, team-high 13 rushing TDs last year) also lines up against a team’s best receiver. Sr. Nisa Maafu averaged 11.6 per carry last year while banged up but still rushed for 847 yards and 8 TDs and totaled 42 tackles and four sacks. Black is expecting Maafu and Lentz to each reach the 1,000 rushing mark this season. Veritas Prep did lose a 1,000 yard receiver but the very capable Harris Lytle, a Sr. captain, will become the downfield threat for the Fal- cons this year. Another senior captain, slot/OLB Marko Vuletic, never leaves the field and was the team’s third leading tackler last year. But the team’s Mighty Mouse is Eli Rovelo (5-5, 150). A rugby fan with a “heart of a lion,” Rovelo is a “machine” and led the team in tackles last year with 99. He’s the team’s middle line- backer and, get this, a starting guard. This season, Veritas Prep
is chasing its first ever playoff victory after reaching the playoffs for the first time last year. The coaching staff, including defensive coordinator Norman Williams and offensive coordinator Matt Pinnick, are reaping the rewards for the work they did to get their program off the ground three years ago. That’s when the program was in need of players.
7. SAN TAN CHARTER: #WeTheCulture is about to learn if #WeAreReady. Coach Kerry Taylor certainly believes so. The new kid on the 2A block will know soon if it’s an upper echelon team. San Tan’s 2A introduction is against preseason favorite Santa Cruz on Oct. 2. Taylor did his 2A homework this past summer, watching film from last season on every one of this season’s opponents. As for his team, Taylor said his receiving corps is 6-7 deep, offensive line is big and carries three good running backs. At quarterback, despite starting a freshman, Taylor is confident Zayden Neill can direct San Tan’s balanced attack. On defense, the strength of the team is at linebacker, led by Sr. Jacob Loggins. The goal of Taylor, his 30 varsity players and staff with NFL