Page 76 - 2020 Sollenberger

Superior’s Swiss Army knife, Navarrette, and team looking to finish job
By Leo Tochterman azpreps365.com
Despite being located in a town with just north of 3,000 residents, Superior High School has built a nontraditional high school football powerhouse in recent years.
The Panthers are coming off six consecutive winning seasons and three straight 1A championship game appearances behind head coach Ryan Palmer.
A big reason why Superior reached those championships is the play of senior Adam Navarrette, whose versatility makes him a true weapon for Superior across the field.
“Adam has been a big playmaker for us ever since his freshman year,” Palmer said. “He’s kind of the ultimate utility player, and that’s on both sides of the ball.”
With a smaller roster and playing 8-man football, Navarrette’s ability to move around and stay on the field is invaluable for the Panthers.
“On offense, we want to get the ball into his hands as much as pos- sible, and then on defense, the same thing,” Palmer said. “He’s a utility player that can shut down the opponent’s best receiver as a DB.”
Navarrette welcomes the challenge of playing the majority of snaps in the game, regardless of what side of the ball it may be.
Last year, he led Superior in rushing yards (707; 9 yards per carry) and finished second in receiving (633 yards) and tackles (67). The senior also ended 2019 with team highs in touchdowns (22) and all-purpose yards per game with 176.
Needless to say, no other returning 1A player did as much as Nava- rette did for his team last year, according to maxpreps.com.
“I love playing both ways,” Navarrette said. “The defensive side is my favorite. Getting hits, interceptions, and sacking the quarterback. It definitely takes a toll on me, though, because the next day I’m all sore and bruised up.”
Palmer also praised Navarrette’s leadership and his ability to lead by example.
“He’s going into his senior year, and he’s always been a great char- acter,” Palmer said. “He’s kind of got that never back down mindset, so that he can be the best player on the field. He’s been lifting on his own, he’s been showing up to conditioning every single time, which is what a leader does.”
In 2019, the Panthers’ season ended in disappointment, as the Pan- thers fell to Williams High School 35-20 in the 1A championship game. Sloppy play and a lack of size were cited as the main reasons for the
defeat. Superior is using the crushing loss as motivation heading into the upcoming season.
Navarrette, specifically, used the loss as fuel to improve his game this offseason.
“Last year, losing the state championship, every time that I go back and watch film of the game it motivates me even more,” Navarrette said. “I watch it at least every two weeks and after I watch I immediate- ly go work out or practice on the field.”
Navarrette used this offseason to bulk up after his team was physical- ly overpowered in the championship game.
“They were a lot bigger, stronger and faster than us, but there were a ton of chances for us to win the game,” Navarrette said. “The chances were there, we just didn’t take advantage of it.
“I’m thinking it (football) will get delayed right now. I’m kind of wor- ried about it, but I have to do my best and keep working.”
Navarrette still has ambitions to play at the next level but has yet to receive any formal offers.
With added size, Navarrette thinks he can make it at the next level. “The only thing I need to improve is just my size, because I’m just too small if I want play at the next level,” Navarrette said. “I’m only 5-7, 145-pounds. I can feel myself getting stronger, but it’s just kind of hard for me to really gain weight right now.”
As for teams goals, he and his teammates remain focused on one thing.
“All of us have one goal and that’s to make it to the state champion- ship and win it all,” he said.
Superior - 1A East Region
Head coach: Ryan Palmer.
Years as school’s head coach: 12.
2019 record: 9-2.
Returning starters on offense, 2019 stats: Jr. QB Matthew Cruz (6-0, 185) 40 TD passes, 2,342 total yards); Sr. C Zach Duarte 5-11, 220; Sr. RB/DB Matthew Diaz-Gonzalez (5-7, 145) 280 rushing yards, 144 receiving yards; Sr. WR/LB Josh Marquez (5-11, 180) 337 receiving yards; Sr. RB/LB Adam Navarrette (5-7, 145) 707 rushing yards.
Returning starters on defense, 2019 stats: Sr. RB/DB Matthew Diaz-Gonzalez (5-7, 145) 98 tackles, 4 sacks; Sr. DB Andrew Martinez (5-11, 145) 41 tackles; Sr. WR/LB Josh Marquez (5-11, 180); Sr. DE Marc Mendoza (5-9, 150) 52 tackles, 8.5 sacks; Sr. RB/LB Adam Navarrette (5-7, 145) 67 tackles.
Also keep an eye on: So. OL/DL Ben Duarte (6-2, 300); So. OL/DL Marques Contreras (5-10, 220); Sr. WR/DB Nathan Duarte (6-0, 150); Sr. WR/DB Matthew Perez (6-0, 150).
Strengths of offense: Championship experience, speed.
Strengths of defense: Championship experience, speed.
Team’s biggest question mark(s): Depth.
2020 expectations: Expectations are to compete for championship.
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Senior Adam Navarrette is looking for a fourth straight state title game appearance and second championship. (Jim Willittes photo/MaxPreps)