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

yards and 12 TDs last year and led the team in tackles(112) plus three sacks. Kuhm plans on building the offenseand defense around the team's greatest asset --speed. Alan Ortega is the leading returning receiver with32 catches for 551 yards. Ben Jaiman checked in with 585yards on the ground and six TDs teaming with Colgate.Michael Hernandez and Francisco Sandoval are linemento watch. Depth will be an issue if some of the youngervarsity players don't develop quickly.Desert View: The Jaguars return three offensive startersand two on defense from last year's 2-8 squad. That's notcomforting for new coach Robert Bonillas, but Desert Viewwill move forward. Returning players are defensive backMichael Meza, lineman Israel Colosio, defensive backMark Garcia, linebacker Gabriel Villa and Arturo Cruz.SeCTion iiiCentennial: The Coyotes like to run opponents right outof games and expect more of the same this year with ateam physically strong and fast. Dedrick Young poundedaway last year for 1,696 yards and 17 TDs. QuentinGomez should attract attention as well after gaining 721yards and scoring 6 times. Defensively the line should beexcellent led by Micah Naverette, who was in on 52 tacklesand a ridiculous 17 sacks. Another stopper up front isBrett Tonz (6.5 sacks). Coach Richard Taylor's main concernis how a mostly new offensive line will perform. Playin the trenches hasn't been much of a problem in the past.The Coyotes are the team to beat in the section after producinganother double-digit win season (10-2 in 2013).That's 11 years in a row with 10 wins or more.Liberty: The Lions have plenty of firepower and experienceto make Centennial work for another section title.Liberty was 8-4 last year losing in the quarters to eventualchamp Salpointe. Their talent begins with quarterbackTyler Wyatt. Wyatt, who's future in athletics likely is inbaseball, passed for 2,745 yards and 26 TDs. He rushedfor 653 yards and 15 TDs. Cutting his interceptions (19) inhalf would likely make the offense more potent. There areplenty of seasoned targets available -- in Alex Hunter,Bryce Utter and Kory Wilson. They combined for 53 reception,871 yards and 9 TDs. Defense is stout with sevenstarters returning, led by lineman Aaron Blackwell, cornerbackWilson and linebackers Troy Bethsold and ChaseHulbert.Football Division II Previewpage 21Deer Valley: The Skyhawks finished behind Centennialand Liberty in the section last year, but made the playoffsand lasted longer with a 9-4 mark. Their upset of Centennialin the quarters earned them a semifinal berth oppositeSalpointe where the season ended abruptly. Deer Valleyhas rebuilding to do on offense, primarily the skill positions.The defense should be solid and make it a contenderin the section and division. A defensive line of BrianCalhoun (73 tackles, 13.5 sacks), Marquette Mitchell (86tackles and 8 sacks) and Marlon Roberts (62 tackles, 9.5sacks) is formidable. Josh Haldiman anchors the linebackingcorps and Steven Fisher (78 tackles and two picks) thesecondary.Apollo: The Hawks are shorter on experience than theaforementioned teams and that may make catching upwith the section elite difficult. Coach Zack Threadgill andthe Hawks won't let that stop their pursuit of more victoriesand the main goal of a playoff berth. Four starters are backon offense and those are skill positions. Mohammed Mohammed,who toiled at receiver is likely making the moveto quarterback. Steffon Canaday got some work at runningback and was an effective receiver, averaging 15 yards percatch. The top receiver returning is Jesse Dezarn (33 receptionsfor 458 yards). Linebacker John Garcia (63 tackles),defensive end Carson Taylor (29 tackles, 6 sacks)and linebacker Canaday (38 tackles) lead what hopes tobe an improved defense.Ironwood: The Eagles posted a 2-8 record last year playingwith lots of juniors and sophomores. A baptism by firefor some for sure. Their skill positions are sound led byrunning back Jett Robertson (1,173 yards, 10 TDs), receiversEthan Eberson (25-297, 6 TDs) and JourdainDong (22-227, 2 TDs) and quarterback Justin Cameron.Cameron shared time with Robertson. The mainstay upfront is tackle Christian Godina. Ironwood coach Ian Curtissays his team must overcome its lack of size on thelines. Speed at the skill positions and a good group of linebackersare the strengths. Ironwood lost all four of its nonsectiongames -- all to opponents .500 or better for theseason and two that made the playoffs. Eight of the Eagles2013 foes (the same for this year) were .500 or better.Willow Canyon: The Wildcats managed one win last year(1-9). As consolation that victory kept them from finishinglast in the section. Willow Canyon will look to senior captainAlex Gallaspy, receiver and strong safety, to generateplays on both sides of the ball. Gallaspy rushed for 231yards and caught 20 passes for 222 yards. He struck paydirtfour times all told. The defense has more experienceand productivity heading in to the season. In the secondaryGallaspy had 47 tackles. Free safety Isac Boor was inon 38 tackles and grabbed two interceptions. LinebackersColby Fornerette (68 tackles) and Josh Dutton (41