2013 Sunset Region Football Capsules
NORTHWEST LEAGUE
ARBOR VIEW
Head coach: Dan Barnson, seventh season (43-21)
2012 record: 10-1 (5-0 Northwest, first)
Returning lettermen: 22
Returning starters: Four offense, five defense
Base offensive set: Double wing
Base defensive set: 4-2-5
Top offensive players: OT Malik Noshi (Jr.); RB Anthony Smith (Sr.); RB Jacob Speaks (Sr.); RB Herman Gray (Jr.)
Top defensive players: LB Anthony Smith (Sr.); DB Salah Boyce (Sr.); DB Jacob Speaks (Sr.); LB Lonnie Sharp (Sr.)
Top special teams players: KR Salah Boyce (Sr.); K Zach Boyd (Sr.)
Top newcomers: QB Andrew Cornwell (Sr.)
Key losses: OL/DL Elijah George, OL/DL Thomas Newton, TE/DE Rasheed Parks, LB/OL Beau Dixon
Outlook: The Aggies captured their first league crown last season, going undefeated in the Northwest League before falling 14-9 to Centennial in the Sunset Region semifinals.
Though graduation took its toll, expect Arbor View to be back in the mix for the league title.
The team lost its quarterback, Rasheem Parks, to graduation, but passing is always secondary in the double wing, and there are plenty of talented backs to carry the load.
Smith was the team’s top rusher last season with 735 yards and eight TDs, and is back to again lead a strong group. He should get help from Speaks (577 yards, 6 TDs) and Grey (364 yards, 5 TDs).
If needed, Boyce also can carry the ball, after gaining 442 yards and scoring five TDs last season. All four of those backs averaged at least 7.4 yards per carry.
The offensive line is a bigger question mark, with anchors George and Newton having graduated. George was dominant enough to be named the Northwest’s co-Most Valuable Player on offense. He’s at Oregon, and Newton is on the roster at UNR.
The defense also will have to plug holes with the top three tacklers graduating, including Northwest Defensive MVP Dixon (110 tackles). The Aggies graduated seven all-league defenders, and another transferred.
Smith (48 tackles) is the top returning tackler, and should help lead the defense.
DURANGO
Head coach: Matt Gerber, second season (5-5)
2012 record: 5-5 (3-2 Northwest, third)
Returning lettermen: 14
Returning starters: Four offense, six defense
Top players: TE/LB Matt Gruttadauria (Sr.); WR/DB Pedro Abrego (Sr.); OL/DL Chris Bolanos (Sr.); OL/LB Ivan Garcia; OL/DL Levar Colbert (Sr.)
Outlook: The Trailblazers will lean on experience on both sides of the line as they look to return to the playoffs.
Bolanos (225 pounds), Garcia (225 pounds) and Colbert (270 pounds) offer size and experience on the line, but the offensive backfield is a much bigger question mark.
Durango relied almost entirely on its running game last season, passing for just 346 yards.
But leading rushers Marcus Sanders-Williams (1,100 rushing yards, 18 TDs), Arie McQuaig (701 rushing yards, six TDs) and Gene Germain (364 yards, 4 TDs) are gone.
Sanders-Williams was the league’s offensive co-Most Valuable Player.
Those three also will be missed on defense, where they keyed the team’s linebacking corps.
PALO VERDE
Head coach: Darwin Rost, 18th season (137-44)
2012 record: 7-5 (4-1 Northwest, second)
Returning lettermen: 21
Returning starters: Five offense, five defense
Base offensive sets: Double wing and pistol
Base defensive set: 4-3
Top offensive players: QB Parker Rost (Sr.); TE Jake Ortale (Sr.); OT Michael Hughes (Sr.); OT Griffin Kemp (Sr.); OG Josh Hamilton (Sr.)
Top defensive players: OLB Jake Ortale (Sr.); DB Sean Dennis (Sr.); DT Michael Hughes (Sr.); DE Griffin Kemp (Sr.); DE Josh Hamilton (Sr.)
Top special teams players: RB/DB Hykeem Massey (Sr.)
Top newcomers: RB/LB Jaren Campbell (Jr.); C/DT Joey Laurita (Jr.); TE/LB Jordan Bruner (Jr.); RB/DB Darrion Finn (Jr.)
Key losses: RB/DB Lee Griggs; RB/DB Ryan Beaulieu
Outlook: The Panthers look to bounce back after an uncharacteristic five losses last season.
And while the team will need to reload in the backfield, two-way standouts Ortale, Hughes, Kemp and Hamilton should give the team a physical presence.
Parker Rost, the coach’s son, is back for his third season as the starting quarterback. He passed for 1,512 yards and 20 TDs last season, unusually high numbers for Palo Verde’s double-wing offense.
But the Panthers have added more pistol sets in recent seasons, and may end up having to throw even more this year, as there is little experience returning in the backfield.
Griggs led the team with 1,060 rushing yards and 11 TDs last season, and Beaulieu made plays in the running game, receiving game and on special teams, scoring a total of 23 TDs. He rushed for 683 yards and caught 22 passes for 709 yards and 13 TDs.
Ortale is the top returning receiving threat. he caught 18 passes for 345 yards and three scores last season.
Hughes (6-3, 295), Hamilton (6-2, 220) and Ortale (6-4, 215) all were first team All-Northwest League picks on defense, and should help the Panthers slow the opposition.
All three also made the first team All-Northwest on offense, and will team with the 265-pound Kemp to help control the line of scrimmage.
SHADOW RIDGE
Head coach: Frank Tousa, third season (2-17)
2012 record: 2-8 (2-3 Northwest, fourth)
Returning lettermen: 13
Returning starters: Six offense, four defense
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: 3-4
Top offensive players: WR J Henderson (Sr.); FB Xavier Flores (Sr.); OL Tra Forrest (Jr.); OL Jordan Larson (Jr.)
Top defensive players: LB J Henderson (Sr.); CB Eric Peeples (Sr.); LB Keyshawn Gammage (Sr.)
Top special teams players: P J Henderson (Sr.)
Top newcomers: RB Cody Alfar (Sr.); RB Melvin Johnson (Sr.); WR/LB Torry Graham (Jr.)
Key losses: QB Bakari Smith; WR Marquise Evans; DL Anthony Carter; OL/DL Hunter Rawson
Outlook: Tousa said the team will be extremely young at the skill positions, and the Mustangs must find some offensive weapons to replace Smith and Evans.
Those two accounted for the majority of Shadow Ridge’s offense a year ago. Smith passed for 1,785 yards and 15 TDs, and rushed for 1,035 yards and 15 TDs. Evans was his favorite target with 34 catches for 847 yards and eight scores.
Henderson was the team’s quarterback two years ago, but will settle in at receiver this year and could be an important cog if the Mustangs can get him the ball. The team does have experience on the line, with four starters returning, to help ease the transition at the skill positions.
On defense, Henderson had 89 tackles last year and has proven to be a strong presence at linebacker. With the lack of experience at the skill positions, the defense could be the key as the team looks to battle for a playoff berth.
SIERRA VISTA
Head coach: John Foss, first season
2012 record: 1-8 (0-5 Northwest, sixth)
Returning lettermen: Ten
Returning starters: Five offense, four defense
Base offensive set: Pistol
Base defensive set: 4-2-5
Top offensive players: QB Octavious Payne (Sr.); RB Maliek Broady (Jr.); RB Andrew Peterson (Jr.)
Top defensive players: D.J. Laushaul (Sr.); Caleb Stiles (Sr.); Deon Daswell (Sr.); Kealii Cummings (Sr.)
Top newcomers: RB Daniel Godfrey (So.); RB Tyshun McClinton (So.); FS/WR Chris Canale (Sr.)
Outlook: Foss, who was previously an assistant at Arbor View, takes over a program that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2008. That was also the last time the Mountain Lions won more than three games, and the team hasn’t had a winning record since 2006.
Broady had a solid sophomore season, rushing for 695 yards and five TDs, and he figures to be the go-to guy on offense this season with Deyon McKinney having transferred to Silverado.
McKinney ran for 867 yards last season, and also ended up at quarterback for much of the year, passing for 562 yards.
Payne will again start the season as the quarterback, but he has limited experience at the position.
On defense Stiles had 38 tackles and four sacks, and Laushaul recorded 33 tackles.
SPRING VALLEY
Head coach: Marcus Teal, fourth season (12-17)
2012 record: 3-6 (1-4 Northwest, fifth)
Returning lettermen: 11
Returning starters: Four offense, five defense
Base offensive set: Pistol
Base defensive set: 3-5
Top offensive players: OT Matt Cataldi (Sr.)
Top defensive players: LB Tyler Stevens (Sr.); DL Matt Cataldi (Sr.)
Top newcomers: LB/RB Logan Cruz (Sr.)
Key losses: OL/DL Devin Dishari; QB Brant Berglund; LB Curtis Crockett
Outlook: The Grizzlies don’t return much experience, but Teal said the team has a young, talented roster.
Spring Valley struggled to move the ball last season, as the Grizzlies managed just 1,512 total yards and averaged only 12.9 points in contested games.
The Grizzlies haven’t made the playoffs since 2010, but used to be a perennial postseason participant. Spring Valley made six straight playoff appearances from 2005-2010, and Teal hopes his team will be in the hunt for a postseason berth this year.
SOUTHWEST LEAGUE
BISHOP GORMAN
Head coach: Tony Sanchez, fifth season (58-3)
2012 record: 13-1 (5-0 Southwest, first)
Returning starters: Two offense, three defense
Top offensive players: QB Randall Cunningham (Sr.); RB Daniel Stewart (Sr.); C Zack Singer (Sr.); OT Nick Gates (Sr.); WR Terrence Chambers (Sr.); TE Alize Jones (Jr.)
Top defensive players: DT Zack Singer (Sr.); FS Armand Perry (Sr.); MLB Nela Otukolo (Jr.); LB Kenyan Coker (Sr.); LB Chris Lalli (Sr.)
Key losses: QB Jarrett Solomon; RB Nathan Starks; WR Ryan Smith; WR Jamir Tillman; C Lott Haia-Kahalewai; OT Tanner Britton; DE Isaiah Nacua; DE Jake Smirk; CB Justin Sweet
Outlook: The Gaels return few starters, but have plenty of talent as they look for a fifth consecutive state title.
Gorman was hit especially hard on offense, where the Gaels lost every starting skill player and three offensive linemen.
The Gaels have to replace four-year starting quarterback Solomon, who passed for 10,113 yards and 139 TDs in his career before signing with Arizona. Wide receivers Tillman and Smith, who combined for 1,814 yards and 27 TDs last season also graduated, and starting running back Starks (1,821 rushing yards) was dismissed from school in April.
Cunningham, the son of the former UNLV and NFL standout by the same name, steps in at quarterback and will bring a rushing threat to the position. The uber-athletic Cunningham, who has cleared 7 feet, 3 inches in the high jump, rushed for 483 yards and seven TDs in limited action last season.
Stewart (540 rushing yards) takes over at running back, and Chambers and Jones should step into key roles as receivers.
Singer and Gates return to anchor a line that Sanchez says is the school’s biggest in his time there.
Singer and Perry return to key the defense, which will get a boost from transfers Otukolo, who came in from St. Louis (Hawaii), and Jabari Butler, who transferred from DeSmet (Mo.).
BONANZA
Head coach: Kevin Volcic, first season
2012 record: 2-7 (1-4 Southwest, fourth)
Top players: DB Jayveon Taylor (Sr.)
Outlook: Volcic takes over a team that has been defensively challenged in recent seasons.
The Bengals gave up 40 or more points six times last season, including three games of 50 or more.
Taylor’s speed will be hard for teams to match. An elite sprinter, Taylor has yet to have as much of an impact on the gridiron. He scored four TDs and had nine tackles last season.
Cameron Wong returns after leading the team in rushing with 344 yards last season. Scott Dore (15 catches, 239 yards) is the top returning receiver.
CENTENNIAL
Head coach: Leon Evans, fourth season (24-11)
2012 record: 9-3 (4-1 Southwest, second)
Returning lettermen: 16
Returning starters: Two offense, two defense
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: 4-4
Top offensive players: RB Lantz Worthington (Sr.); OL Nate Gifford (Sr.)
Top defensive players: LB Toby Lopez (Sr.); LB Josh Gray (Sr.); DE Haikeem Arnold (Sr.)
Top special teams players: KR Lantz Worthington (Sr.)
Top newcomers: DL Greg Rogers (Fr.); DE Skye Rodriguez (So.); K Zach Mays (Jr.); DL Justin shellard (Jr.); H-back Hunter Brown (Jr.)
Key losses: QB Austin Turley; RB Coby Newton; WR Deontae Gilkey; OL/DL Jordan Karst; LB Chance McCutcheon; LB Andrew Romoff
Outlook: By any measure, 2012 was one of the most successful in school history for the Bulldogs.
Not only did Centennial advance to the Sunset Region title game, but two of the team’s three losses came to eventual state champion Bishop Gorman. The other loss, a 31-18 defeat against Arbor View, was avenged in the playoffs.
But Centennial had 35 seniors, so things may not go quite as smoothly this season, especially early.
Offensive leaders Turley (1,349 passing yards, 16 TDs) and Newton (1,356 rushing yards, 13 TDs) are gone, leaving Worthington as the main weapon.
Worthington flashed tremendous big-play ability in spot duty last season, rushing for 644 yards and 10 TDs. But he’ll have to carry the load this season.
Lopez will have to do the same on defense, after recording 126 tackles and two sacks last season.
The Bulldogs may not match last season’s success, but a playoff berth should be within reach.
CIMARRON-MEMORIAL
Head coach: John Parcells, third season (9-10)
2012 record: 3-6 (1-4 Southwest, fourth)
Returning lettermen: 13
Returning starters: Six offense, seven defense
Base offensive set: Multiple
Base defensive set: Multiple 40
Top offensive players: QB Derek Morefield (Jr.); RB Michael Barnson (Sr.): C Tim Wooters (Sr.); T Jeffrey Prince (Sr.)
Top defensive players: LB John Nelson (Jr.); LB Wayne May (Sr.); DT James Calamese (Sr.); DE Davon Pearson (Sr.); CB Djon Watson (Sr.)
Top special teams players: P Derek Morefield (Jr.); K Bakai Ceesay (Sr.)
Top newcomers: TE/LB Dallin Breen (Jr.); TE/DE Michael Fletcher (Sr.); OG/DE Gavin Dean (Jr.)
Key losses: RB Justin Davis; OT Aaron Manumaleuna
Outlook: The once-proud Spartans have fallen on hard times in recent years, missing the playoffs the last three seasons.
Parcells hopes to end that streak this season, and the team has solid experience in hopes of making a playoff run.
Cimarron will have to replace Davis, who was the team’s top offensive option. He rushed for 1,171 yards and 10 TDs last season.
Morefield is back for a second year as a starter, and should make more of a positive impact. He passed for just 250 yards and completed just 25.6 percent of his passes as a sophomore. He threw only one touchdown pass and was intercepted seven times.
Barnson steps in for Davis at running back. He got just 19 carries last season, but did average 10 yards per attempt and scored twice.
Parcells says the team will be as successful as the team’s offensive and defensive lines are.
DESERT OASIS
Head coach: Scott Staudinger, third season (9-11)
2012 record: 2-8 (1-4 Southwest, fourth)
Returning lettermen: 33
Returning starters: Five offense, six defense
Base offensive set: I Pro
Base defensive set: 50
Top offensive players: QB Richie Stammetti (Sr.); RB Jocquez Kalili (Sr.); WR Gary Abdella (Sr.); FB Blake Kutz (Sr.)
Top defensive players: LB Brandon Gaeta (Jr.); DL Rocco Cabrejos (Jr.); DL Ryan Heinz (Sr.); DB Qwade Huff (Jr.)
Key losses: DL Drake Leifried; WR Marvin Duty
Outlook: The Diamondbacks have made the playoffs four straight seasons, but it probably will take more than two wins this season to keep that streak alive.
Staudinger is counting on several underclassmen in key roles, and hopes they continue to work hard and get better throughout the season.
Stammetti takes over at quarterback for the graduated Herman Smith, who passed for 1,218 yards and 10 TDs.
Stammetti saw limited action last season, completing 17 of 26 passes for 288 yards and a touchdown.
Desert Oasis will have to replace Duty (53 catches, 634 yards), who was the team’s only all-league selection.
The defense will need to show improvement after allowing 40 or more points six times last season.
LEGACY
Head coach: Dave Snyder, eighth season (34-36)
2012 record: 5-5 (3-2 Southwest, third)
Returning lettermen: 20
Returning starters: Six offense, six defense
Base offensive set: I-formation
Base defensive set: 3-5
Top offensive players: QB Devin Williams (Sr.); RB Casey Hughes (Sr.)
Top defensive players: LB Josh Phillips (Sr.); LB Damian Robinson (Sr.); DB Casey Hughes (Sr.)
Top special teams players: KR DeMichael Walker (Jr.)
Key losses: OG Chris Campbell; RB Charles Julian
Outlook: Legacy was just a .500 team last season, but gave some of the Sunset Region’s top teams tough games.
And though the team lost its go-to offensive player in Julian, Snyder has high expectations for his squad.
The 5-foot-4-inch, 145-pound Julian rushed for 1,672 yards and 16 TDs in earning second team all-state honors last season.
Hughes brings a bigger frame and perhaps more explosiveness to the position. He was second in the state in the 100-meter dash in the spring.
The senior also should be a key defensive player in the secondary. Hughes picked off three passes last season.
Phillips, who also will play center, should be a key cog on both sides of the ball.
Snyder said the team has good overall team speed with good size, a combination that should make the team very competitive.
