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

Football Division V Preview(From L to R) tempe Prep’s Daniel Hiser (photo by Jim Willittes/maxpreps.com), Round Valley’s ethan Workman (photo byJim Willittes/maxpreps.com) and San tan Foothills’ Sage Waxter (photo by Chris Hook/maxpreps.com)Yuma Catholic: Sr. Osvaldo Rodriguez didn’t miss a fieldgoal (6 for 6) last year, with a long of 45 yards.SeCtioN iiiBenson: Finished 7-4 and reached the first round of the2013 playoffs despite starting many underclassmen.Benson returns nine starters on each side of the ball, butwho will step into the leadership roles? The team’s threeleaders in all-purpose yards in 2013, Jr. Nick Hernandez,So. Keegan Graf (second leading tackler last year) and Sr.Travis Barney, return.Bisbee: Had a .500 season last year but returns 18starters, including seven juniors on each side of the ball.Sr. Rey Chavez finished with 1,366 all-purpose yards and16 TD’s last season. … At 6-6, 320, it’s no surprise thathead coach Christopher Vertrees is expecting JasonLinden to dominate on both sides of the ball.Morenci: Returns 15 starters, including eight on offense,from a 2013 season that ended in the first round of theplayoffs. One of those starters is San Diego State, NAU recruitSantiago Robledo (6-4, 290), a lineman. TE/LB SergioGarcia and OL David Ogas will also help Morenci throwits weight around.Thatcher: LB coach Ramon Morales and defensive coordinatorAdam Estrada have dedicated a combined 68years to Thatcher.Tanque Verde: Sr. LB/WR Marcus Eibl led the team intackles last year. It’s Sr. RB Kyle Dick’s turn to step in andfill the void that last year’s 1,000-yard rusher, BenitoPimienta, left. Jeremiah Johnson will step in as the newcoach.Tombstone: The Yellow Jackets’ top players are Sr. DontaeOtey, Sr. Mark Snider, Jr. Christian Willridge, Jr.Nicolas Angarita. “The goal for the team is to practice andplay hard, stay healthy and make it to the playoffs,” coachJoe Thomas said.SeCtioN iVChandler Prep: The Titans’ coach, Duncan Aepli, didn’twant to single out any player, opting to take a team-firstapproach. “All of our players are important to the program,as they each contribute in some meaningful way to thesuccess of our team,” Aepli said.Paradise Honors: The freshmen and sophomores thatdominated the lineup last year are a year older andstronger after 95 percent of the players participated in theteam’s weight lifting/conditioning program. The team’sstrength is the size of its offensive line, but it’s hoping theoffseason work will help improve its defensive line. Jr. QBpage 41