Page 72 - 2020 Sollenberger

By Jose Garcia azpreps365.com
2. WILLIAMS: The team is reloading to defend its title behind a group of players who are anxious to finally to start a game. That group waited patiently for a couple of seasons behind last year’s great senior class. The very physical Sr. RB/LB Blake Smith is one of those players. Smith will pair up with the speedy Drew Logan, a sophomore, to form a formidable 1-2 punch behind one of 1A’s best offensive lines. That line will be anchored by RG Cesar Santana, LG James Eischen and the bullish Bryton Cox, a 6-2, 260-pound center. Cox is the only new starter on the offensive line. “We should be able to control the line of scrimmage and make plays with the skill in the back,” Williams coach Jeff Brown- lee said. Brownlee is expecting DE/TE Louis Lara and Sr. MLB Cody Jensen to be as disruptive as ever. The starting quarterback is Zain Grantham, who took last year off but was the starting quarterback two years ago in the team’s state semifinal game. “We are ready to go,” Brownlee said.
1A Conference Football Preseason Rankings
1. SUPERIOR: During the summer, coach Ryan Palmer made his team watch footage of the last game it played. He did it not to remind his players of the 2019 1A championship loss to Williams, but to study the small details it takes to win the big games. The Panthers were the only Arizona 8-man team to give Williams, the favorite to win it all last year from the outset, a game. But that didn’t console the players. After three straight trips to the title game, anything but a win feels empty. Superior’s six seniors are pushing the underclassmen to fill the void last year’s senior class left. “We have some of the best skills players in the confer- ence,” Palmer said. “It’s just a matter of the senior group that graduated. They were key role players.” Adam Navarrette, likely the fastest player in 1A, will be stationed in different spots as the new starters adjust. The senior will line up at wide out, running back and quarterback, and keep making plays from his lineback- er spot. Matthew Diaz-Gonzalez is more than capable to handle the H-back role, Palmer said. Matthew Cruz threw 40 TD passes last year and learned some valuable lessons in the 2019 final.
3. MOGOLLON: The team has a new coach, but the same goals remain. “I am confident that we will make it the postseason
and play in the championship game,” coach Rick Samon. Samon started coaching at Mogollon in 1999, and was the team’s defen- sive coordinator before stepping in to run the team this season. The retired DPS officer will make some “subtle but positive changes” to the offense and defense. Samon asked former long- time Mogollon head football coach Ron Tenney if he can remain on the staff and serve as a mentor to a couple of young coaches. “I’m a team guy,” Samon said. The extra time off served Mogol- lon well, Samon said. His team gained some strength and speed as it prepared for its shortened season. A couple of move ins
His new go-to option will be the vastly improved Josh Marquez. Finding a couple of more guys to block for those dynamic skill players was one of Palmer’s biggest jobs during the offseason. One of those jobs, center, was filled by sophomore Zachary Du- arte (5-11, 220) last year. Duarte is the strongest player Palmer’s coached heading into his 12th season at the school.
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Superior’s band of brothers are regrouping for another run at the 8-man crown. (Steven Davis photo/MaxPreps)
will add more size to his offensive line, and Samon is counting on last year’s juniors to step up this season. Samon’s grandson, MLB Jayk Kelton, and Sr. QB Caden Owens QB and OT Diego Amaya are doing their part to make sure the younger players are prepared. Mogollon reached the semifinals last year with four freshmen starting.