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

Football Division IV Previewfast the players can adjust to his philosophy will go a longway toward determining how far the team can go. TheCougars are young, but they are strong up front. The topplayers are QB Jake Clawson, RB Blaine Goodman, WRBrian Skinner, all-purpose man Bud Cain, LB Layne Asheand DT Thomas Gianfrancesco.Combs: Jesse Hart established a foundation last seasonin his first year as coach, and now the team must show improvementfrom a 6-5 finish. The top players are DL/OLRiley Bourgeous, PK/P Alex Moyes, LB/OL ToddGoodman, DL/OL Danny Taunima and all-purpose playerNate Duhaney.Cortez: Coach Ross Luna’s Colts will be strong at linebacker,but they need help in many other areas. The topplayers are MLB/FB Reshuan Whitaker, QB/DB UrielLopez, WR/DB Fernando Mejia, LB/RB Alfred Koch, LB/FBXavier Martinez, OL/DL Derrick Jackson and OL/DLReshawn Begay.Estrella Foothills junior running back Joe Logan (photo bypaynterpics.com)Florence: The Gophers continue to heal after the death ofhead coach Steve McKane last year, and McKane’s father,Bill, is back after taking over. The team has 31 returninglettermen, meaning good experience, and has a strong offensiveline. Bill McKane says the receivers need to pickup the pace. Top players are QB Bobby Herrera, RB/SSBeau Griego, C/NG Kameron Hall, OT/DL Michael Valdezand OG/MLB Georgie Obitz.QB/DB Ryan Gray, WB/DE Sam McGuire, QB/DB/P CodyEsquerra, OL/DL Kyle Velez and OL/DL Justin Mooneyham.River Valley: The 2013 state runner-up returns most of itsplayers, but not its head coach. Terry Staggs moved out ofstate and Paul Duchaineau and Mark Ruckle will sharethose duties. The top players are Lance Phillips (14sacks), OLB Jacob Lee (130 tackles, five caused fumbles),RB Brandon Long (2,204 rushing yards, 32 TDs) and RBAndreas Galvez (823 yards, 10 TDs).Wickenburg: Wickenburg alum Carson Miller takes overas coach and proudly says that the entire coaching staff is“all Wickenburg alums. At least one coach from everydecade since the 1970s. A great tradition.’’ Now the Wranglersmust get the job done on the field. The top playersare FB Hunter Gaines, TE Chase Ballard, WR/S CloudFritts and QB Will Patton, who was injured in 2013 butlikely will start.SECTION IVChino Valley: Wade Krug takes over as coach, and howpage 36Seton Catholic: If Show Low or Lakeside Blue Ridgestumble in their quest to win the state title, chances arethat Seton could be the reason. Coach Rex Bowser has 22returning lettermen and a good balance on offense and defense.The Sentinels’ top players are RB AntonioCampanella, WR George Wolter, WR/DB Brandon Garcia,OG Steven Fugger, OG James Terrill, LB Patrick Larsen,DB Manny Estrella, LB Brandon King and DB DominicJohnson.SECTION VBlue Ridge: Jake Belshe takes over as coach after thedeparture of legendary Paul Moro for Florence PostonButte. The Yellowjackets’ chances of winning a secondstraight title and 14th overall for the school will depend onthe play of QB Spencer Hall, SB/RB Nate Myles, and surehandedTE Adam Padilla.Fountain Hills: The Jim Fairfield-coached Falcons havealways seemed to be able to move the football in his 22seasons, but the defense must step it up. Top players areQB/FS Luke McDermott, WR/DB Sam Stoor, RB/DB Brady