2014-15-aia-football-sollenberger-azpreps-report-highres

Salpointe Aims at D-II Repeat With DefenseRetooling Mega Skill-Position Losses Is Greatest TaskBy Les Willsey, aia365.comSalpointe Catholic's consistency last season on itsway to the Division II state football title was remarkableand eerie. The Lancers wowed with a prolific offenseand its defense only needed to be about halfas good as it turned out for a 14-0 title romp. Only inpostseason did they give up more than a touchdownin a game.Longtime coach Dennis Bene and his staff havethe experience and makings of another top-flight defensewith five starters returning. If Salpointe piecestogether just an average offense this fall, it may beenough to hoist a second consecutive championshiptrophy come late November. The last Tucson schoolto claim back-to-back state titles at any level tookplace 37 years ago -- accomplished by Canyon delOro. The Dorados won 4A crowns in 1976 and 1977."Definitely the strength of our team is defense andour front seven," Bene said. 'We're very big and veryfast. That may surprise some people. I think they'll beas good as any defense in the state."Salpointe will take the veterans from its 2013 defenseand run with them. The returnees occupy spotsin the front seven led by senior linebacker TaylorPowell. Powell was in on a whopping 161 tackles lastseason and is one of the team's captains. Senior JaylynJuan mans an end position and will be joined onthe front four by Justin Holt, Andrew Palomares andJulien Arechaga. Filling out the lineback corps withPowell are junior Jake Ksiazek and senior Chris Sullivan.Salpointe's defense allowed just 101 points in 14games -- a touchdown per contest. The secondarywill experience an influx of primarily new faces, but isled by senior captain Dom Pedrotty (safety).Teauante Nash is the other safety and the cornerslook to be Jason Parrish and Adrian Lizarraga.Identifying a quarterback to pilot Salpointe is thebiggest concern this fall. Andrew Cota's numbers andexpertise won't be replaced this year and neither willprolific receivers Cameron Denson and Kaelin De-Boskie. Cota was accurate and made few mistakes(two interceptions). And as great as its passing gamewas, the running game quietly did its share giving theoffense about a 50-50 split in 5,800 yards. Salpointescored an eye-popping 697 points -- a fraction shy of50 per game.The Lancers quarterback battle is between seniorSam Muniz and freshman Jamarye Joiner. Muniz hasexperience on varsity and Joiner is a talent waiting tounload in some capacity. Joiner is the nephew of formerAmphi and Oregon standout Tamani Joiner."Jamarye reminds me of a young Cameron Denson,"Bene said. "He's already 6 feet, 170. If he doesnot play quarterback, he will be a receiver for us."Taking over the running back duties will be a verybusy Powell and Zach Dorame. Dorame got somecarries along side the team's leading rusher last season,Jay Williams, and checked in with nearly 600yards and six TDs. The receiving corps will be virtuallyall new."At receiver we won't be as talented, but we'll havebetter depth," Bene said.Salpointe's schedule has a couple revisions fromlast year. The Lancers aren't playing in the SollenbergerClassic (a game they won vs. Liberty, Nev.) oragainst Crespi, Calif. In place of those games are aseason-opener at home Aug. 22 with Buena and aroad contest Sept. 19 with Campo Verde."After Sabino we have a bye and three roadgames in a row (Sunnyside), Campo Verde and Marcosde Niza," Bene said. "That stretch will be a test."page 16