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Yuma Catholic. Westwood faces a tough test
this fall with its numbers down and four returning
starters. Ewan is eyeing help from the
lower levels, perhaps sooner than expected
from an 8-1 freshman team. Three of those
players were ushered in to the varsity the last
few games a year ago. Top returnee is Sr.
Cooper Tingey, a tight end-linebacker who
caught 20 passes for 230 yards, 7 TDs.
Westwood opens with a region game against
the city's best team a year ago -- Skyline.
The Warriors next five games should allow
for growth and some success.
CENTRAL REGION
Corona del Sol: The Aztecs made a latecoaching
change with Cory Nenaber resigning
to take over as the school's athletic
director early in May. Corona made defensive
coordinator Richard Mettlach, interim head
coach for 2016. Corona enjoyed its best season
and first winning season since 2008 with
a 7-4 record in a one-year stay in D-II. The
Aztecs are back competing with the big boys
this fall. Mettlach has some of his defense
back. Linebacker Sr. Jacob Clemens (67
tackles, 5 sacks), lineman Sr. Dylan Conner
(23 tackles, 4 sacks), cornerback Jr.
Kobee Marion (34 tackles, 4 INTs) and safety
Sr. Kaden Carter (76 tackles). Carter also
contributed at receiver. Offensively the top
returnee is running back Sr. Cameron Brice,
who rushed for 1,092 yards and 12 TDs.
Desert Ridge: Always lurking at playoff
time, the Jaguars made it to the D-I title
game for the second time in six years, but
settled for runner-up honors at 11-3 after
falling to longtime nemesis Centennial.
There's a wealth of talent returning to give
coach Jeremy Hathcock a shot at another
long postseason run. Desert Ridge's good
players come in all sizes with huge wide receiver-defensive
end Sr. Jalen Harris, smallish
running back-safety Sr. Stephan Gomez,
O-lineman Sr. Nick Omitt, linebacker Sr.
Adam Bay and quarterback Sr. CJ Fowler
(1,700 yards passing, 12 TDs).
Gilbert: A .500 season (5-5) was something
for Tigers fans to get excited about in
coach Derek Zellner's first year at the helm.
Gilbert must replace a lot of solid senior players.
There's plenty of promise and an even
better season awaits quarterback Jr. Jack
Plummer. Plummer passed for 1,577 yards
and 16 TDs in his first varsity season and his
stock continues to rise as recruiters get a
look. One of Plummer's many wide out targets
returns in Sr. Chris Heywood. Much of
Gilbert's rebuilding from graduation will center
on the defense. The Tigers schedule is
hefty. They won't leave the East Valley home
or away for their 10 games.
Desert Vista: The Thunder check in with
a solid number of returnees from a 7-5 season
and quarterfinal playoff berth. Twentyeight
lettermen and five starters on each side
of the ball give Dan Hinds confidence of a
Tyler Johnson, Highland (photo by Barry Shaffer of maxpreps.com)
good showing entering his 15th year as the
school's head coach. Sr. Lelon Dillard will
lead an up-tempo ground attack. Dillard
rushed for 981 yards, 11 TDs last year. Jr. Jr.
Keishaud White piled up over 1,000 yards
rushing and receiving with 13 TDs. Sr. Nick
Thomas is back at quarterback. Other top returnees
are D-line and linebacker Sr. Myles
Wilson and Jr. James Stagg.
Highland: A strong work ethic from a
largely untested group has impressed coach
Pete Wahlheim leading up to practice. The
Hawks posted a 4-7 record and postseason
ended with a tight 19-14 opening-round loss
to Chaparral. Four returning starters on offense
and three on defense will be counted
on. Highland boasts a big-time talent in Sr.
Tyler Johnson, who averaged 23 yards a reception
and scored 11 TDs counting six rushing
tallies. Quarterback Sr. Jake Kersting is
on hand again and set to operate some
spread-oriented sets via new offensive coordinator
and former Highland quarterback
Travis Epperson. Top lineman is Sr. Connor
Stott and at linebacker is Sr. Savion Sow.
Mountain Pointe: The Pride will contend
again for big-school supremacy with plenty of
starters back, including what coach Norris
Vaughn figures will be a staunch defense.
Mountain Pointe's bid for a perfect season
ended with a semifinal loss to Desert Ridge.
The defense is ost experienced up front and
in the secondary led by free safetyreceiver
Sr. Isaiah Pola-Mao (98 tackles, 4
INTs), linemen Sr. Khaliff Ravelil, Jr. Mathew
Pola-Mao and Jr. Shamari Hayes (59 tackles).
The secondary is bolstered by strong
safety Jr. Kenny Churchwell, (44 tackles, 2
INTs) and cornerback Sr. Antwan Woodbury.
The linebacking corps is led by Sr. Rashie
Hodge. The offensive line returns three
starters and Sr. Jaydon Brooks (55 catches
for 906 yards, 5 TDs) again pairs with Isaiah
Pola-Mao at receiver.
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