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
2015 Div. I State Championship Bracket Fri, Nov 6 Fri, Nov 13 Fri, Nov 20 Fri, Nov 27 Boulder Creek (#16) Chandler (#1) Red Mountain (#9) Desert Vista (#8) Highland (#12) Chaparral (#5) Liberty (#13) Desert Ridge (#4) Perry (#14) Hamilton (#3) Basha (#11) Centennial (#6) Pinnacle (#10) Brophy (#7) Mt. View (Mesa) (#15) Mountain Pointe (#2) Chandler (35-14) Desert Vista (30-24) Chaparral (19-14) Desert Ridge (31-15) Hamilton (27-10) Centennial (38-13) Brophy (38-37) Mountain Pointe (56-0) Chandler (34-14) Desert Ridge (33-21) Centennial (34-23) Mountain Pointe (35-31) Desert Ridge (24-21) Centennial (31-21) Centennial (28-6) page 43
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