Page 66 - 2020 Sollenberger

2A Conference Team-By-Team Preview
St. Johns coach Mike Morgan (in red) is one win away from becoming the state’s all-time leader in career victories. (Paul Campbell photo/MaxPreps)
By Jose Garcia azpreps365.com
GILA REGION
Arizona Lutheran
Head coach: David Peter.
Years as school’s head coach: 5.
2019 record: 7-4.
Returning starters on offense, 2019 stats: Sr. OL Josiah Cunningham (6-3, 230); Sr. TE TJ Gray (5-8, 150); Jr. TE Luke Grippo (221 receiving yards) 6-0, 150; Jr. RB Jacob Holguin (274 rushing yards, 209 receiving yards) 5-8, 140; Sr. OL Trevor Humbert 6-0, 250; Jr. RB Gabriel McKenney (491 rushing yards, 168 receiving yards) 6-0, 170; Sr. OL Jonathan Mendoza 5-10, 230; Jr. C Travis Parker 5-10, 220. Returning starters on defense, 2019 stats: Sr. DL Josiah Cunningham 6-3, 230; Sr. DL TJ Gray 5-8, 150 (25 tackles, 5.5 sacks); Jr. LB Luke Grippo (40 tackles) 6-0, 150; Jr. CB Jacob Holguin 5-8, 140; Sr. LB Eli Jacobson (59 tackles) 5-9, 170; Jr. LB Gabriel McKenney (37 tackles) 6-0, 170; Sr. DL Jonathan Mendoza 5-10, 230; Jr. S Jack Schaumberg (20 tackles) 6-2, 150.
Also keep an eye on: Jr. CB/RB Isaiah Gonzales 5-8, 140; Sr. LB/RB Dawson Wall 6-0, 160.
Strengths of offense: Athletic and talented younger players who saw tons of minutes on varsity last year. Familiarity with our scheme.
Strengths of defense: Athletic and talented younger players who saw tons of minutes on varsity last year. Getting stronger this offseason will help us against power running teams.
Team’s biggest questions marks: We graduated two quality QB’s. Who will compete for that position? What will our summer program look like in the face of the challenges the Coronavirus presented to us in the spring.
2020 expectations: We are a team that puts our Christian faith into word and action by serving each other each day. We are a team that trusts each other to put maximum effort into everything that we do. We are a team that is disciplined and works to win each day. We are a team that competes each day to be better than before, compete for a region championship, and make a strong push into the playoffs.
NFL Yet Prep Academy
Head coach: Armando Ruiz Jr.
Years as school’s head coach: 5.
2019 record: 3-5.
Returning starters on offense, 2019 stats: Jr. QB/LB Isiek Ayala (724 passing yards and 10 TDs, 1,331 rushing yards and 15 TDs) 5-11, 220; Sr. TE/DE Andres Bermudez 6-0, 195; Jr. G/DE Estevan Bermudez 6-0, 210; Sr. WR/DB Jose Lopez (197 receiving yards) 6-0, 180; Sr. OL/NT Matthew Mata 6-3, 245; Sr. C/DT Antho- ny Navarro 5-10, 240.
Strengths of offense: Strong QB. Big offensive line. Experience.
Strengths of defense: Strength. Strong LB play.
Team’s biggest questions: Adjusting to new division/opponents. Learning new playbook.
2020 expectations: Win first game in new division. Win two out of our first four. More about program: Isiek Ayala dominated in his sophomore season and is a really special talent. Keep an eye out for him. He’s a jack of all trades. Also, look for our senior class to make some noise.
Heritage Academy
Head coach: Tony Stillings.
Years as school’s head coach: 1.
2019 record: 2-8.
Returning starters on offense, 2019 stats: Sr. QB LeTrell Beck (330 passing yards, 410 rushing yards and 7 TDs) 5-9, 175; Sr. WR Kyle Boblett 6-0, 140; Sr. TE Charlie Lines 6-2, 180; So. OT Tristan Rios Manzo 5-11, 250; So. RB Jonathan Rojo (267 rushing yards) 5-8, 155; Jr. C Diego Samaniego 5-7, 185.
Returning starters on defense, 2019 stats: Jr. DL Colton Ingle 5-9, 180; Sr. LB Charlie Lines (119 tackles, 4 sacks) 6-2, 180; Sr. N Caleb Moseley (17 tackles) 5-7, 185; Sr. CB Jacob Phengdy 5-11, 140; So. LB Jonathan Rojo (41 tackles) 5-8, 155; Sr. SS Brody Sheets (21 tackles) 5-11, 155.
Also keep an eye on: Jr. K/WR Ramon Arteaga 5-7, 145; Sr. OT Eduardo Herrera 5-10, 230; So. CB/WR Ryder Lines 5-11, 140.
Strengths of offense: Athletic QB who can run the ball. Experienced WR. Strengths of defense: Speed to the ball. Aggressive, experienced LB’s. Quick D-line.
Team’s biggest questions marks: Experience on the O and D-lines. Depth.
2020 expectations: Win the program’s first region game. Compete for a playoff spot.
More about program: Entering our 3rd year overall in the AIA. Won our first AIA contest last season. Looking to build on that with our first region win and playoff berth this season.
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