Sollenberger Classic Teams Magazine Cover Return Home

By Andy Morales
azpreps365.com
A coach and some of the
state’s elite players are
within reach of breaking
some of the state’s marquee
state football records this
season.
Two of those potential
record breakers, coach Paul
Moro and quarterback
Nazareth Greer, call Marcos
de Niza home. Moro needs
five wins to tie the state’s alltime
career coaching victory
record, and Greer has a
chance to become just the
second quarterback in Arizona
history to reach the
10,000 yard passing mark.
Career Coaching Victories
331-159-6 Vern Friedli, Tucson Amphitheater
326-66 Paul Moro, Marcos de Niza
315-87 Larry Fetkenhier, Glendale Cactus
310-115 Jim Rattay, Cesar Chavez
309-139-4 Jesse Parker, Gilbert
308-138-3 Karl Kiefer, Phoenix Mountain Pointe
303-74-2 Mike Morgan, St. Johns
Players, Coach Within Reach of Setting New Records;
Moro Five Wins Away from Friedli
Marcos de Niza quarterback
Nazareth Greer (photo by Andy
Morales of azpreps365.com)
Career Passing Yards
For his career, Greer has 6,423 passing yards and 63 touchdowns.
He is averaging 3,200 yards a season, which will put him
near the 10,000 mark but still a bit short of the Class 4A record
currently held by former Tempe QB Emanuel Gant (10,489 career
passing yards).
Greer needs 4,067 yards to break the 4A record and 3,577
yards to break 10,000. At this point, it looks like 10,000 might be
more attainable. Still, the season passing yards 4A record is
4,662 (Desert Edge QB Anthony Hernandez). Hernandez accomplished
that record in 2013.
Former Saguaro QB Luke Rubenzer has the 4A record for career
touchdown passes at 130 from 2011-13. That mark appears
to be safe. Maybe.
Although Greer only has 63 career touchdown passes, Higley
Sr. Masson Crossland has 72 and Sunrise Mountain Sr. Chase
Cord has 99 career TDs. Cord collected 52 touchdown passes
last year alone (Rubenzer had 61 in 2013), so the career mark of
130 is in jeopardy.
Cord “only” needs 31 TD passes this year to become the new
4A stat leader in that category. At any rate, he could get his 100th
TD pass at Buckeye on Aug 26.
Career Passing Yard Leaders
5A 8,377; Dalton Sneed, Scottsdale Horizon 2011-14
4A 10,489; Emanuel Gant, Tempe 2011-14
3A 8,517; Rathen Ricedorff, Show Low 2008-10
page 42
Career Passing Yard Leaders (cont)
2A 9,141; Matt Inman, Yuma Catholic 2005-08
1A 6,408; Brian Chason, Tucson Christian 1982-85
Career Receiving Yards
Christian Kirk’s 3,943 4A career receiving yard record might
get touched this year. Casa Grande Sr. Trevor Russell has 2,436
career receiving yards after last year's 1,214 yard season. It appears
Kirk’s record might be safe, but the 3,000 career mark for
Russell is well within reach.
Russell has 31 career touchdown catches. The 4A record is
44 (Elijah Marks, Desert Edge 2011-13). Russell collected 19 TD
receptions last year.
Receiving Yards Career Leaders
5A 3,674; Mark Andrews, Desert Mountain 2011-13
4A 3,943; Christian Kirk, Scottsdale Saguaro 2011-14
3A 3,311; Josh Weeks, Show Low 2008-10 (Jr)
2A 2,626; Caine Palone, San Pasquel 1994-97
1A 4,221; Paul Hatcher Tucson Christian 1982-85
Career Rushing Yards
Desert Edge standout Tehran Thomas has 3,272 career rushing
yards. The 5A record is 5,669 by Mike Mitchell of Brophy
(1990-92). Thomas would need 2,398 yards to break the record,
which is highly unlikely. But he needs 1,728 to break 5,000,
which would put him at his average per year.
Rushing Yards Career Leaders
5A 5,669; Mike Mitchell, Phoenix Brophy Prep 1990-92
4A 5,878; Marcus Thomas, Tolleson 2000-02
3A 6,750; Brandon Long, Mohave Valley River Valley 2011-14
2A 7,544; Casey Jahn, Phoenix Northwest Christian 2008-11
1A 5,760; Arley McNeil, Patagonia 1985-88
Career Catches
Desert Mountain Sr. Kade Warner has 158 career receptions.
The 5A record (207) was set by Mark Andrews of Desert Mountain
from 2011-13. Warner had 96 catches last year, with an average
of 80 receptions over the last two seasons. With 50
receptions, he will have the new big school state reception
record. He needs 64 catches to set a new state record regardless
of school size.
Casa Grande standout Trevor Russell has 158 career receptions.
The 4A record is 203, set by Christian Kirk of Saguaro
(2011-14). Collect 46 receptions this year and the 4A record is
his. He is also chasing the overall state record of 221.
Career Reception Leaders
5A 207; Mark Andrews, Desert Mountain 2011-13
4A 203; Christian Kirk, Scottsdale Saguaro 2011-14
3A 149; Rod Denetso, Ganado 1994-95
149; Josh Weeks, Show Low 2008-10 (Jr.)
2A 163; Clifton Jones, Florence 1994-96
1A 221; Paul Hatcher, Tucson Christian 1982-85
For more individual and team state records please visit
azpreps365.com/archives