Del Sol claims football honors

Del Sol's football team is in the Sunrise Region championship game for the fourth straight year.

And it's hard to imagine the Dragons getting there without senior Dezerick Reed.

"Dezerick has been the heart and soul of our football team," said Del Sol coach Preston Goroff, whose team hosts Basic in the Sunrise title game at 1 p.m. Saturday. "He is the motivational leader, he is the vocal leader, and he actually backs everything up on the field."

Reed highlighted the All-Southeast League team released by coaches this week. He was named the Most Valuable Offensive Player and also was a first-team all-league selection at outside linebacker.

Reed has rushed for 1,885 yards and 21 touchdowns this season.

"He's extremely tough, deceptively fast and very, very reliable," Goroff said.

Reed has been a force on both sides of the ball, where he switches between running back and linebacker, despite averaging 23.5 carries per game. He has had six games of 25 or more carries.

"He doesn't come off the field for us," Goroff said. "Exceptional kids do that. There's no doubt that he's exceptional."

Reed has had plenty of impact on defense. He leads the Dragons in sacks with 121/2 and is second in tackles with 83.

But his offensive production has been the biggest surprise. Reed had just 15 carries last season as the team's backup fullback.

But with the graduation of Derek Eamon and fullback Jon Kirschbaum and the transfer of Ernest Hall to Palo Verde, Reed was forced to step into a starring role. Eamon, Kirschbaum and Hall combined to rush for 3,857 yards last season.

"He surprised me as much as he surprised anybody," Goroff said. "When he had his opportunities, he really shined."

Liberty linebacker Samson Toalei, who helped the Patriots to their first playoff appearance, was named the Southeast Defensive MVP.

Goroff was named the Southeast Coach of the Year.

Desert Pines took the top two individual awards in the Northeast League. Wide receiver Eric Tuiloma (45 catches, 817 yards, 11 touchdowns) was the Offensive MVP, and linebacker Koerris Berry was the Defensive MVP.

Canyon Springs' Hunkie Cooper was the Northeast Coach of the Year.

In the Northwest League, Cimarron-Memorial's James Poole (1,678 rushing yards, 20 touchdowns) was the Offensive MVP, and Legacy linebacker William Purcell took the defensive honor.

Legacy's Dave Snyder was named Coach of the Year after leading the Longhorns to the league title.

In the Southwest, Bishop Gorman tight end Xavier Grimble (37 catches, 665 yards, eight touchdowns) was the offensive MVP, and Durango defensive tackle Eric Underhill was the Defensive MVP.

Durango's Gary Maki and Desert Oasis' Faron Seibel were co-Coaches of the Year in the Southwest.

Contact prep sports editor Damon Seiters at dseiters@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4587.