2013 Sunrise Region Football Capsules
NORTHEAST LEAGUE
CANYON SPRINGS
Head coach: Hunkie Cooper, fifth season (28-14)
2012 record: 7-4 (4-1 Northeast, second)
Returning lettermen: 26
Returning starters: Five offense, eight defense
Base offensive set: Pro set
Base defensive set: 4-3
Top offensive players: RB Zaviontay Stevenson (Jr.)
Top defensive players: DT Rayshawn Henderson (Sr.); DB A.J. Cooper (Sr.); DB Diamante Luna (Sr.); LB Isiah Carter (Sr.); DB Raequan Bascombe (Sr.)
Top special teams players: KR/P Diamate Luna (Sr.)
Top newcomers: TE/DE Khyren Howard (Sr.); FB/LB Marc Cassino (So.); QB Brad Alexander (Jr.)
Key losses: RB Donnel Pumphrey; LB Kentabius Traylor; LB Tobias Carson; OL/DL Fabian Leos
Outlook: With the dynamic Pumphrey having graduated, defense may become even more important for the Pioneers this season. And Canyon Springs returns plenty of talent on that side of the ball.
Henderson was a first team all-state selection last season after compiling 76 tackles, seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss. He’s a big body in the middle of the line who also is nimble enough to have seen time at fullback in the past.
Carter returns to key the linebackers after earning second team All-Northeast honors.
Luna, Cooper and Bascombe all were all-league selections, and should make up one of the area’s top secondaries.
There are far more questions on offense without Pumphrey, who rushed for 1,491 yards and 18 TDs.
Stevenson showed strong abilities when Pumphrey was banged up, rushing for 457 yards and averaging 8.3 yards per carry.
Coach Cooper said there is tons of big-play ability on offense, and hopes the team can eliminate costly mistakes this season. If the Pioneers can avoid those self-inflicted wounds, they should compete for the league title.
GREEN VALLEY
Head coach: Brian Castro, third season (14-7)
2012 record: 9-2 (5-0 Northeast, first)
Returning lettermen: 20
Returning starters: Seven offense, four defense
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: 3-4
Top offensive players: QB Christian Lopez (Jr.); OT Tyrell Crosby (Sr.); WR Markus Varner (Sr.); WR Kyler Chavez (Sr.); ATH Gio Hernandez (Sr.); WR Conor Perks (Sr.)
Top defensive players: DE Preston Quirt (Sr.); CB Albert Lake (Jr.); CB Cody Milner (Sr.); SS Larry Norman (Jr.); SS Gio Hernandez (Sr.)
Top special teams players: K Conor Perkins (Sr.)
Top newcomers: OLB Jairo Rebolledo; DB Jocob Rivero
Key losses: LB Tyler Topham; DL Keti Salakielu; DL Sam McAloon
Outlook: The Gators appear to be poised to make a run for league and region titles.
Lopez returns at quarterback after an outstanding sophomore season. He completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 2,081 yards and 18 TDs. He threw eight interceptions.
Lopez also is the team’s top returning rusher after running for 503 yards and 14 TDs, making him a true dual threat.
Green Valley also returns four of its top five receivers led by Varner (50 catches, 603 yards, five TDs). Chavez (26 catches, 391 yards), Perkins (21 catches, 299 yards) and Hernandez (20 catches, 267 yards) each caught at least 20 passes, giving Lopez plenty of options.
Crosby, who has committed to Oregon, will anchor the line.
Perkins, who booted 10 field goals last season, give the team another offensive weapon.
The defense should be especially strong in the secondary with Hernandez (three interceptions) back at safety, and Lake (two interceptions) back at corner. Norman, a transfer from Arbor View, should help at safety and running back.
The biggest defensive holes appear to be on the line, where the team will need to replace McAloon, who was the Northeast’s defensive Most Valuable Player.
LAS VEGAS
Head coach: James Thurman, third season (15-6)
2012 record: 6-4 (3-2 Northeast, third)
Returning lettermen: 26
Returning starters: Eight offense, eight defense
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: Even
Top offensive players: QB Trevor Swanson (Jr.); RB Andrew Moreland (Sr.); WR Aaron Zanin-Banks (Sr.); OL Carlos Flores (Sr.); OL Eduardo Guardado (Sr.); OL Mark Gacutan (Jr.)
Top defensive players: LB Jacob Littlefield (Jr.); LB Randy Ramirez (Sr.); LB Angel Perez (Sr.); LB Elias Miller (Jr.); DL Dakota Pikavit (Sr.): DL Tristan Gordon (Sr.)
Top special teams players: KR Andrew Moreland (Sr.)
Top newcomers: WR Antinio Wingfield (Sr.); WR Kode Miwirgi (Sr.); RB/LB Elias Miller (Sr.)
Key losses: DL Lahmad Evans; WR Vince Castro; K Jay Mattox
Outlook: The Wildcats slipped to third in the Northeast last season, but return plenty of experience as they try to return to the top of the league.
Moreland is poised for a big season. The explosive back rushed for 1,211 yards and 13 TDs, and also caught 25 passes for 155 yards last season.
Expect Swenson to be improved with a year of experience guiding the team’s spread offense. He completed 60.8 percent of his passes for 1,786 yards and 14 TDs with 14 interceptions.
Las Vegas will need to replace leading receiver Josh Mayfield, who caught 60 balls for 686 yards and eight TDs. But Zanin-Banks appears ready to take over as Swenson’s No. 1 option. Zanin-Banks was second to Mayfield last season with 26 catches for 334 yards and a touchdown.
Littlefield leads what should be an outstanding linebacker corps. He was a second team all-state selection last season with 95 tackles and three sacks.
It won’t be easy, but Las Vegas has the talent to capture their 10th league title since 2001.
RANCHO
Head coach: Tyrone Armstrong, first season
2012 record: 0-9 (0-5 Northeast, sixth)
Returning starters: Six offense, five defense
Base offensive set: Pro split back
Base defensive set: Pro 4-3
Top defensive players: Isaac Scott, Kwansi-Cooper Murray
Outlook: Armstrong will look to bring some stability to a program that hasn’t had any in recent seasons.
He becomes the fourth head coach in three seasons for the Rams, who have lost 11 consecutive games. The team’s last win came on Oct. 11, 2011.
Rancho managed just 40 points last season, and was shut out four times.
Armstrong said the focus this season is on building a sound program. While he said the team expects to be competitive, it’s hard to imagine too many marks in the win column.
SILVERADO
Head coach: Andy Ostolaza, seventh season (34-25)
2012 record: 5-5 (2-3 Northeast, fourth)
Returning lettermen: 15
Returning starters: Two offense, three defense
Base offensive set: I-Pro
Base defensive set: 4-3
Top offensive players: TE Austin Hunt (Sr.0; TE Rohan Walters (Sr.); RB Deyon McKinney (Jr.); OT Mitchell Kissam (Jr.); OT Justin Polu (Jr.)
Top defensive players: DT Billy Danford (Sr.); DE Rohan Walters (Sr.); DT Justin Polu (Jr.)
Key losses: RB Alex Cater
Outlook: Ostolaza used Cater like a human battering ram last season, as the senior piled up 398 carries, mostly straight-ahead runs into the line. And Cater made the most of it, rushing for 2,298 yards and 26 TDs.
McKinney, a transfer from Sierra Vista, should get the first crack to replace Cater in the backfield, but he will be an entirely different back. The speedy McKinney, who played at Clark as a freshman, rushed for 867 yards and seven TDs last season. Forced into action at quarterback, he also passed for 562 yards and six TDs.
The Skyhawks have plenty of size to make room for McKinney. The 6-foot-4-inch, 304-pound Kissam was a second team All-Northeast League pick at tackle last season. He’ll be joined on the line by Liberty transfer Polu (6-4, 295) and massive tight end Walters (6-5, 295).
Hunt (6-6, 225) was the team’s top receiver last season, hauling in 15 passes for 410 yard sand two TDs.
Silverado also has ridiculous size on its defensive line, with Walters and Polu joined by Danford (6-2, 315).
With all that size, the Skyhawks should be able to wear down opponents and should be in the mix for a playoff berth.
VALLEY
Head coach: Marcus Sherman, third season (6-13)
2012 record: 2-7 (1-4 Northeast, fifth)
Returning starters: Five offense, five defense
Base offensive set: Pro
Base defensive set: 5-2
Top offensive players: TE Noble Hall (Sr.); RB Charlie Winters (So.); RB Amari Tatum (So.)
Top defensive players: DE Noble Hall (Sr.); LB Demarrius Oliver (Sr.); CB Malik Batiste (Jr.); DT Jason Kepoo-Johnson (Jr.)
Top special teams players: K Aliya Sales (Sr.)
Top newcomers: WR Nathan Scott (Sr.); DE Kevin Rock (Sr.)
Key losses: SS Juan Batiste; QB Kennedy Williams; WR Arphaxad Carroll
Outlook: Sherman hopes that his seniors, many of whom have been on the varsity for three seasons, are ready to carry the team to a playoff spot.
The coach said staying healthy at key positions will be key.
The 6-foot-4-inch, 235-pound Hall is a physical specimen who should impact both sides of the ball. He’s committed to San Diego State, and doubles as a power forward for Valley’s basketball team.
Hall, who changed his name from Eric Burrell after last season, had 11 catches for 135 yards on offense, and recorded seven sacks on defense last season.
Winters and Tatum each saw limited action as freshmen, and should be more prepared for the varsity level this season.
SOUTHEAST LEAGUE
BASIC
Head coach: Jeff Cahill, sixth season (36-20)
2012 record: 6-4 (3-2 Southeast, third)
Returning lettermen: 25
Returning starters: Three offense, three defense
Basic offensive set: Spread/Pistol
Basic defensive set: 4-4
Top offensive players: RB/WR/QB Antraye Johnson (Sr.); RB Jon Scoffield (Sr.); WR Chandler Kamai (Sr.)
Top defensive players: LB Jon Scoffield (Sr.); DB Dekota Gonzales (Sr.)
Top special teams players: P Pale Laulu (Sr.); KR Antraye Johnson (Sr.)
Top newcomers: WR Chris Flum (Jr.); WR David Garza (Sr.); WR Aaron Bashaw (Sr.); OL/DL Daniel Chamberlin (Jr.); OLDL Jotasem Funaki (Sr.); OL/DL Tui Halaifanoua (Sr.)
Key losses: WR/DB Devonte Boyd; QB Jaylen Rose; LB Zach Tritsch
Outlook: Boyd proved to be one of the area’s best all-around players last season, earning all-state honors at both receiver and defensive back, and he’ll be impossible to replace.
Boyd had 66 catches for 1,081 yards, and also picked off eight passes. Rose, who passed for 2,151 yards and 25 TDs, also will be tough to replace.
But Johnson is as explosive and versatile an offensive player as you’ll find. He rushed for 921 yards and 13 TDs, and caught 30 passes for 582 yards and five more scores. The Wolves will get him the ball often and in varied ways.
Scoffield rushed for 289 yards and six TDs, and will help shoulder the rushing burden. Kamai was an all-league outside linebacker last year after recording 52 tackles, but may be more important as a receiver this season.
Cahill said the team has good speed on defense, and should again be dynamic on offense. That should be enough to put the Wolves squarely in the playoff hunt.
CORONADO
Head coach: Brad Talich, second season (9-3)
2012 record: 9-3 (4-1 Southeast, second)
Returning lettermen: Four
Returning starters: Two offense, two defense
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: Multiple
Top offensive players: WR Jackson Cofer (Sr.); WR Tanner Gorski (Jr.); WR Tanner Bellamy (Sr.)
Top defensive players: DL Marcus Hunt (Sr.): DL Jackson Taylor (Sr.); LB Aaron Cotton (Jr.); LB Kiona Granstrom (Jr.)
Top special teams players: KR Jansen Pollins (Sr.)
Top newcomers: LB Jordan Rude (Jr.); DL Justin Belknap (Jr.)
Key losses: RB Derrick Keller; LB Corey Sobczyk; LB Jason Warren
Outlook: The Cougars made their first playoff appearance since 2007 last season, then advanced to the Sunrise Region title game for the first time in school history.
Now Coronado will try to build on that success with a far younger and less experienced group.
On offense, the Cougars will have to replace quarterback Kevin Lucero (2,601 passing yards, 32 TDs), leading rusher Keller (875 rushing yards, nine TDs) and five of their top six receivers.
Cofer had 37 catches for 605 yards and 10 scores last season and should be the top offensive threat.
On defense, the Cougars also lost most of their big guns, most notably all-state linebacker Warren (114 tackles).
Hunt had 42 tackles and four sacks last season and is the top returning defender.
Despite the lack of varsity experience, Talich said expectations still are high.
DEL SOL
Head coach: Gary Maki, first season
2012 record: 2-7 (1-4 Southeast, fifth)
Returning letterwinners: Eight
Returning starters: One offense, two defense
Base offensive set: Pistol
Base defensive set: 3-4
Top offensive players: RB Austin Higgins (Sr.); QB Aaron Williamson (Sr.); TE Leo Delatorre (Sr.); OG Quincy Gibbons (Sr.)
Top defensive players: LB Trent Miller (Sr.); DB Josh Wheeler (Sr.); LB Tyrus Gronewald (Sr.)
Top special teams players: K/P Leo Delatorre (Sr.)
Top newcomers: RB/QB/DB Rashaun Lawson (Jr.); WR/FS Anthony Bryan (Jr.); OL/DL Jesus Olives (Jr.)
Outlook: The Dragons aren’t far removed from a trip to the state title game, but the program that Maki takes over is a far cry from the 2009 state runner-up team.
The Dragons capped four straight appearances in the Sunrise Region title game with a region title and trip to the state final that season. But they haven’t made the playoffs the last two years.
And there is little experience back to make a run this season.
Higgins will take over at running back for Cameron Lamont (1,489 rushing yards, nine TDs), who was the team’s main weapon last season. Higgins rushed for just 231 yards and two TDs.
Miller is back to lead the defense after recording 32 tackles last season.
Despite the inexperience, Maki thinks the team has a shot at making the playoffs if the squad can stay healthy.
ELDORADO
Head coach: Vernon Brown, fourth season (9-18)
2012 record: 1-8 (0-5 Southeast, fifth)
Returning lettermen: 13
Returning starters: Six offense, six defense
Base offensive set: Pistol
Base defensive set: 5-3
Top offensive players: QB Joshua Brown (Jr.); WR Kareem Irving (Jr.); OL Dallas Kounovsky (Sr.); OL Edgar Cisneros (Sr.); OL Luis Villarreal (Jr.); WR Benjamin Martinez (Sr.)
Top defensive players: DB/LB Ta’Varea Shelton (Sr.); LB/DT De’Andre Taylor (Sr.); LB/DE Fareti Tauaivale (Sr.); DB Jason Henderson (Sr.); DL Reydin Dennis (Jr.)
Top newcomers: OL/LB Austin Hight (Jr.); WR/DB/QB Matthew VanOrden (Jr.)
Key losses: RB Justin Brown
Outlook: The Sundevils opened last season with a 41-28 win over Sunrise Mountain.
It was the last time the team had anything to celebrate.
Joshua Brown is back after an up-and-down sophomore season as the team’s quarterback.
He passed for 915 yards and rushed for 207. He also was intercepted 15 times, while throwing five touchdown passes. A year of experience should mean added consistency.
The team will need to replace leading rusher Justin Brown, who ran for 1,098 yards and seven TDs, and also was the team’s No. 2 receiver.
Expect receivers Irving (eight catches, 145 yards) and Martinez (six catches, 116 yards) to play bigger roles in the offense this season.
Shelton (69 tackles, two sacks) and Taylor (67 tackles, three sacks) are back to key a defense that must improve after allowing 28 or more points in every game last season.
FOOTHILL
Head coach: Marty Redmond, ninth season (52-36)
2012 record: 3-7 (2-3 Southeast, fourth)
Returning lettermen: 18
Returning starters: six offense, six defense
Base offensive set: Multiple
Base defensive set: 4-3
Top offensive players: QB Drew Doxtator (Sr.); TE/WR Bryce Broadwell (Sr.)
Top defensive players: DL Dylan Weasa (Sr.); LB Rocky Bellini (Sr.)
Top special teams players: K/P Cory Fisher (Jr.)
Top newcomers: RB Bobby Merritt (Jr.); DL Jake Barfield (Sr.)
Key losses: RB Rickey Dixon; WR Jordan Primo
Outlook: The Falcons opened last season with high expectations, but never found a grove as injuries helped derail a promising year.
Doxtator is back, and should be the area’s top passer. He threw for 2,687 yards as a sophomore and passed for 2,003 yards and 17 TDs last season before missing the final four games because of injury.
Broadwell (33 catches, 440 yards, three TDs) should be his top target.
Merritt should get the first crack to replace Dixon (785 rushing yards, 10 TDs) at running back, and Foothill will need to get some production out of the run game to take pressure off Doxtator.
Weasa (51 tackles, two sacks) and Bellini (46 tackles) should key a defense that needs to improve after allowing an average of 41.2 points last season.
LIBERTY
Head coach: Rich Muraco, fifth season (41-10)
2012 record: 11-2 (5-0 Southeast, first)
Returning lettermen: 22
Returning starters: Five offense, six defense
Base offensive set: Multiple
Base defensive set: 4-2-5
Top offensive players: QB Tyler Newman (Sr.); WR Drew Hladek (Sr.); OT Jozef Misaalefua (Sr.); TE Noah Jefferson (Jr.)
Top defensive players: DE Jarvis Polu (Sr.); DT Reno Tu’ufuli (Sr.); LB Samson Monterde (Sr.); LB Kaimi Batoon (So.); CB Bryan Roland (So.)
Top special teams players: K Austin Fitzgerald (Sr.)
Top newcomers: RB/LB Calvin Tubbs (So.)
Key losses: QB/DB Kai Nacua; RB Niko Kapeli; OL Chris Noone
Outlook: The Patriots were once a struggling program, but that certainly hasn’t been the case in recent years.
Liberty made its first playoff appearance in 2009, and quickly became one of the area’s powers, claiming the last three Southeast League and Sunrise Region titles.
The Patriots will try to continue that streak this year, but will have to do it without dynamic weapons Nacua and Kapeli.
Nacaua passed for 1,128 yards and nine TDs, rushed for 758 yards and 16 TDs and caught 11 passes for 333 yards and four TDs last season. Kapeli, the school’s career rushing leader, ran for 1,252 yards and 14 scores last fall.
Newman steps in at quarterback, and he got some experience there last season when Nacua lined up all over the field. Newman passed for 853 yards and 12 TDs. The Patriots will look to several backs to replace Kapeli’s production, but they will continue to run behind a massive offensive line anchored by Misaalefua (6-4, 270). Desert Oasis transfer Jefferson (6-5, 255) adds tremendous size at tight end.
On defense, Polu (6-3, 245) and Tu’ufuli (6-3, 270) will anchor the line, with Monterde keying the linebackers.
Sophomores Batoon and Roland started every game as freshmen, and bring experience and production. Batoon led the team in tackles with 74.
Fitzgerald, an all-state pick last season, is a weapon, having gone 10-for-11 on field goals with a long of 48 yards last season.
