SUNSET REGION CAPSULES

NORTHWEST LEAGUE

ARBOR VIEW

• COACH: Dan Barnson, third year

• 2008 RECORD: 6-4 (3-4 Northwest)

• RETURNING STARTERS: Seven offense, six defense

• TOP PLAYERS: QB/DB Austin Anderson (Sr.), OL/DL Sam Melaerts (Sr.), RB/DB DeMarlo Virgil (Sr.), RB Taylor Wooten (Jr.), RB/DB Thomas Flanagan (Sr.)

• OUTLOOK: After winning only four games in three years, the Aggies had their breakout season in 2008 and just missed the playoffs.

Arbor View returns plenty of firepower in the backfield with Anderson, Virgil and Wooten all back. Virgil rushed for 556 yards in just six games. Wooten was a second-team All-Northwest League pick after rushing for 1,372 yards and 17 TDs as a sophomore.

Flanagan, a transfer from Durango, will add depth and competition in the backfield.

Melaerts is back to anchor the line after earning second-team All-Northwest honors.

Anderson and Flanangan, a second-team All-Sunset Region pick, will anchor the defense from the secondary.

CENTENNIAL

• COACH: George Baker, third year

• 2008 RECORD: 4-6 (2-5 Northwest)

• RETURNING STARTERS: Eight offense, five defense

• TOP PLAYERS: QB/DB Chris Henderson (Sr.), RB/LB Willie White (Jr.), RB/DB Jacobi Owens (So.), RB/LB JaVahn Sanders (Sr.)

• OUTLOOK: The Bulldogs missed the playoffs last year but should be helped by players off their junior varsity and freshman teams, which both went undefeated.

Henderson is back for his third year at quarterback. A superior athlete, he passed for 1,068 yards and rushed for 316 last season.

He might also see time as a slot receiver with Cody Clark stepping in under center.

Owens will take over as the primary running back along with Sanders, who missed his junior season with a torn knee ligament.

White should anchor the defense from his inside linebacker spot.

CHEYENNE

• COACH: Perryn Hale, first year

• 2008 RECORD: 10-2 (6-1 Northwest)

• RETURNING STARTERS: Not available

• TOP PLAYERS: QB/FS Chris Spencer (Sr.), RB/DB Jordan Butler (Sr.), SS/RB Davion Moore (Sr.), LB/TE Chyre Anderson (Sr.), FS/WR Duhjuan Miller (Sr.), DB Xavian Johnson (Sr.)

• OUTLOOK: Gone are coach Charles Anthony and speedy Marcus Sullivan, who accounted for more than 2,000 yards of offense and scored 28 touchdowns last season.

But the cupboard isn't bare for new head coach Hale. He returns a serious speed threat in Butler, who rushed for 465 yards and six TDs last year while sharing time in the backfield with a host of other backs.

Spencer, who has seen significant time under center since his freshman season, should lend experience.

Palo Verde transfer Jahari Selmon, who played quarterback and defensive back for the Panthers, should be another versatile offensive weapon, and Hale said senior wideout Darian Coats has big-play ability.

Without Sullivan, the defense will need to be strong again, and several pieces return, led by three-year letterman Moore and inside linebacker Anderson.

The Desert Shields might not win 10 games again this season, but the talent is in place for another playoff run.

CIMARRON-MEMORIAL

• COACH: Rod Vollan, second year

• 2008 RECORD: 7-5 (5-2 Northwest)

• RETURNING STARTERS: Seven offense, seven defense

• TOP PLAYERS: RB Stephen Nixon (Sr.), FB/DB Zach Barbara (Sr.), RB/LB James Poole (Sr.), QB/DB Kenneth Banks (Sr.), LB/OL Aaron Garcia (Sr.), WR/FS Tim Hasson (Sr.), DB James Carraway (Sr.), DL Brandarius Johnson (Sr.), DL Charlie Silva (Sr.)

• OUTLOOK: The Spartans should be one of the area's top running teams, led by Nixon, who rushed for 1,954 yards and 23 TDs as a junior.

Barbara (594 yards, six TDs) and Poole (404 yards, seven TDs) give Cimarron two more running threats. The team had little success throwing the ball a year ago, but a year of experience should help Banks.

Garcia (85 tackles) was a first-team All-Northwest pick at linebacker and returns to lead the defense along with second-team all-league picks Hasson (128 tackles, two interceptions) and Banks (58 tackles, two interceptions).

Cimarron has made the playoffs in 15 consecutive seasons, and the Spartans appear to be in line for another postseason berth.

FAITH LUTHERAN

• COACH: Jacob Kothe, ninth year

• 2008 RECORD: 5-5 (0-3 3A Southern League

• RETURNING STARTERS: Seven offense, seven defense

• TOP PLAYERS: WR/DB A.J. Finlayson (Sr.), WR/LB/S Don Pearson (Jr.), QB Joe Portaro (Jr.), TE/LB/DE Brett Lubbe (Jr.), LB Paul Morton (Sr.), LB J.T. Burns (Sr.), DT Evan Newton (Sr.)

• OUTLOOK: After going 0-3 in the 3A Southern League last season, Faith Lutheran not only enters the 4A ranks but heads to the rugged Northwest League.

The Crusaders have talent but lack depth, Kothe said.

Still, expectations are high for Faith Lutheran. It will help having Portaro, who threw for 2,020 yards and 20 touchdowns last season, and Pearson (74 receptions, 1,032 yards, 12 TDs).

LEGACY

• COACH: David Snyder, fourth year

• 2008 RECORD: 7-4 (4-3 Northwest)

• RETURNING STARTERS: Seven offense, eight defense

• TOP PLAYERS: RB/DB Deshae Edwards (Sr.), LB/FB Billy Purcell (Sr.), DT James Price (Jr.)

• OUTLOOK: The Longhorns return plenty of experience from their first playoff team, and expectations remain high.

Second-team All-Northwest League pick Price returns to lead the defensive line, and the presence of linebacker Purcell should help make the defense strong again. Legacy allowed an average of 15.3 points last season and posted two shutouts.

The Longhorns lost all-league fullback Prince Oroke (1,114 yards, 10 TDs) to graduation but return explosive running back Edwards (1,310 yards, 15 TDs) to lead the offense.

Western transfer Devin Wiedemann takes over at quarterback, allowing last year's starter, Zach Monticelli, to move to tight end and linebacker.

Many of the team's returnees have been starting on the varsity for two years already, so this might be the area's most experienced squad.

MOJAVE

• COACH: Tyrone Armstrong, seventh year

• 2008 RECORD: 0-9 (0-7 Northwest)

• RETURNING STARTERS: Six offense, five defense

• TOP PLAYERS: K/E/DB Chris Gorges (Sr.); LB Darnell Glenn (Sr.); RB/DB DeMarco Cowart (Sr.)

• OUTLOOK: The Rattlers are coming off a dismal season and play in arguably the toughest league in the area.

"There ain't too many weak sisters there, so you better come prepared every Friday night," Armstrong said of the Northwest.

The coach said the team has improved its speed with the addition of several players from the track team.

Mojave also should have a better handle on its single-wing offense, and Armstrong said the attitude has improved.

PALO VERDE

• COACH: Darwin Rost, 14th year

• 2008 RECORD: 14-1 (7-0 Northwest)

• RETURNING STARTERS: Four offense, four defense

• TOP PLAYERS: RB/LB Tyrone Blake (Sr.), OG/DT Erick Grijalva (Sr.), OT/LB Daniel Godkin (Sr.), TE/DE Jared Olsen (Sr.), RB/DB Chappell Thomas (Sr.), RB/DB Ernest Hall (Sr.), FB/LB Grant Bernhardy (Sr.), QB/DB Sean Mears (Sr.), OG/DT Kody Herzog (Sr.)

• OUTLOOK: The Panthers fell one point short in their quest for a state title last season, losing 13-12 to McQueen. That left a bitter taste for the players and served as offseason motivation.

The team graduated a host of talented players, led by Southern California signee Torin Harris. The offense took a huge hit with the graduation of Harris, Chaz Thomas and Sidney Hodge, who combined to rush for 3,320 yards and 35 TDs. The team also lost quarterback Kelly Zurowski, who passed for 1,135 yards and 17 TDs.

Blake (919 rushing yards, 11 TDs) will move from fullback to wingback and will get plenty of help from transfers Hall (Del Sol) and Brandon Wright (Centennial). Hall rushed for 1,198 yards and 15 TDs, and Wright ran for 977 yards and 13 scores, but neither is expected to start at the beginning of the season. Chappell Thomas, Chaz's younger brother, should start opposite Blake, but all four along with sprinter Courtney Robinson will get carries.

On defense, Godkin moves from defensive end, where he was an All-Sunset Region pick, to middle linebacker to replace graduated Dave Castro.

The team graduated three All-Sunset defensive backs, but Blake will move to safety and will be joined by All-Sunrise Region pick Hall.

SHADOW RIDGE

• COACH: Gabe Gledhill, third year

• 2008 RECORD: 2-8 (1-6 Northwest)

• RETURNING STARTERS: Four offense, three defense

• TOP PLAYERS: RB/DB Zak Hill (Sr.), RB/LB Garrick Allen (Sr.), FB/LB Michael Tootle (Jr.), QB/FS Nick McDearmon (Jr.), OL/DL Tyler Williams (Sr.)

• OUTLOOK: A strong group of linebackers gives Gledhill hope that his defense will be improved this season. The Mustangs gave up 30 or more points seven times last season, including five games of 40 or more.

McDearmon was injured the week he was named the starting quarterback last season, and his return should help give Shadow Ridge the ability to throw the ball that was missing for much of last season.

He'll have a speedy and athletic target in junior Zach Ducksworth.

Hill is poised for a strong season. He rushed for 1,196 yards and nine TDs last year and could be even better if the passing game can keep defenses more honest.

SOUTHWEST LEAGUE

BISHOP GORMAN

• COACH: Tony Sanchez, first year

• 2008 RECORD: 12-2 (7-0 Southwest)

• RETURNING STARTERS: Seven offense, three defense

• TOP PLAYERS: DE Alex Turner (Sr.), TE Xavier Grimble (Sr.), LB/OL Evan Palelei (Sr.), OL Geoffrey Gibson (Sr.), LB/FB Jordan Welte (Jr.), RB Victor Belen (Sr.), DE Jalen Grimble (Jr.), DT Tim Wilkinson (Sr.), WR Taylor Spencer (Sr.)

• OUTLOOK: Sanchez takes over a program that has lost just two games in the last two years, and the Gaels again should be the favorites to win the Southwest.

Though only three starters return, the defense should be one of the toughest in the area, especially up front. Turner, who has committed to Stanford, leads the way along with returning All-Southwest League pick Wilkinson. Jalen Grimble is getting interest from some of the nation's top programs, including Southern California and Louisiana State, and defensive tackle Ian Bobak has garnered Division I looks despite not starting last year.

Linebacker Palelei also has committed to Stanford, and Sanchez expects big things from Welte, as well.

On offense, the Gaels will be inexperienced in the backfield after losing all three players who played quarterback and leading rusher Kawika Antolin.

Welte returns at fullback after rushing for 639 yards and will help carry the load with running backs Belen and sophomore Shaquille Powell.

Belen and Powell combined for just 24 carries last season, but Sanchez said "they really can do some great things."

Gorman is especially young at quarterback with freshman Anu Solomon and sophomore Mark Philippi battling for the starting role. But they'll have good targets in Xavier Grimble, who has committed to USC, and Spencer and good protection from a line led by Gibson, who has committed to California.

BONANZA

• COACH: Shawn Dupris, third year

• 2008 RECORD: 6-5 (5-2 Southwest)

• RETURNING STARTERS: Six offense, seven defense

• TOP PLAYERS: QB Sterling Sprau (Jr.), DB/RB Dasean Martin (Jr.), OL/DL Deanti Perez (Sr.), LB Franz Ferguson (Sr.), OL/MLB Everett Freer (Jr.), DE Ellias Hinsey (Jr.), DB Dakota Barrix (Sr.)

• OUTLOOK: The Bengals were a turnaround team last year, making a strong run through the Southwest League and reaching the playoffs.

Dupris expects that experience to help keep the Bengals in the postseason mix this season.

Sprau is back at quarterback after passing for 1,019 yards and 11 TDs as a sophomore, but the key might be the defense, where Bonanza has several experienced players.

Ferguson, a two-time All-League selection, will lead the way along with three-year starters Perez and Barrix.

Martin is back for his third year as a starting cornerback and will take over as the team's primary ball carrier to replace the graduated Antonio Beals, who rushed for 1,550 yards and 17 TDs.

CLARK

• COACH: Don Willis, fourth year

• 2008 RECORD: 3-7 (3-4 Southwest)

• RETURNING STARTERS: Four offense, three defense

• TOP PLAYERS: RB Andre Clay (Sr.), TE Mike Withers (Sr.), LB Keneal Riley (Sr.), LB Edwin Gutierrez (Sr.)

• OUTLOOK: Not long ago, Clark was known only for losing. The Chargers piled up a 42-game losing streak but have begun to turn things around.

Clark won three games in each of the last two seasons, and the Chargers were just one win from making the playoffs last season.

With a clear drop-off after Bishop Gorman in the Southwest, the Chargers could make a playoff push.

Though Clark lost a 1,000-yard rusher in Aaron Arlt (1,107 yards, eight TDs), it returns another in Clay (1,058 yards, 10 TDs), who should key the team's offense.

DESERT OASIS

• COACH: Faron Seibel, first year

• 2008 RECORD: 4-6

• RETURNING STARTERS: Nine offense, 10 defense

• TOP PLAYERS: OL Cameron Jefferson (Sr.), RB Roycen Shepherd (Sr.), QB Brennan Stott (Jr.), LB Zach Knudsen (Sr.)

• OUTLOOK: The Diamondbacks move into the Southwest League this season after playing an independent schedule last year, and Seibel thinks the team can make the playoffs.

Desert Oasis has plenty of work to do to reach that goal, as two of the team's wins came against junior varsity teams. The only 4A school Desert Oasis beat last season was Pahrump Valley, which was winless against 4A opponents.

Jefferson (6-6, 260), who played tight end last season, will move to offensive tackle and anchor the line.

Stott passed for 1,164 yards and 12 TDs last season and is back to run the team's spread offense.

DURANGO

• COACH: Gary Maki, second year

• 2008 RECORD: 1-9 (1-6 Southwest)

• RETURNING STARTERS: Five offense, three defense

• TOP PLAYERS: OL/DL Eric Underhill; WR/DB Keiffer Mancebo (Sr.); OL/DL Brock Taylor (Sr.); RB/LB John Williams (Sr.); RB/LB Michael Mehling (Sr.); RB Julio Mora (Jr.); RB/LB Julious McLaurine (Jr.); QB Chase Roberts (Jr.)

• OUTLOOK: Maki's first season wasn't exactly a success, but the Trailblazers have high hopes heading into this season.

Durango scored 62 of its 161 points in a win over Pahrump and topped 20 points only twice all season. But the team returns its leading rusher (Mora), passer (Roberts) and receiver (Mancebo), so things should be better this season.

Roberts was a second-team All-Southwest pick after passing for 1,209 yards and five TDs last season. Mora rushed for 530 yards and seven TDs, and Mancebo had 24 catches for 277 yards and three TDs.

The defense needs improvement as well. Durango gave up 34 or more points six times last season.

PAHRUMP VALLEY

• COACH: Leo Verzilli, second year

• 2008 RECORD: 1-9 (0-7 Southwest)

• RETURNING STARTERS: Three offense, three defense

• TOP PLAYERS: LB Kenneth Sager (Sr.), LB Mavrick Manning (Sr.), DT Jesse Perez (Sr.)

• OUTLOOK: Pahrump's first go-round in Class 4A wasn't pretty. After beating Class 2A Mountain View to start the season, the Trojans lost nine straight.

They were outscored 330-70 in Southwest League play.

Verzilli said the team should be more balanced on both sides of the ball and that team speed is better.

He hopes a good junior class coming up to the varsity level will help the Trojans achieve more success this season.

SIERRA VISTA

• COACH: Mark Sauve, fifth year

• 2008 RECORD: 5-6 (4-3 Southwest)

• RETURNING STARTERS: Three offense, three defense

• TOP PLAYERS: OG/DT Andrew Ramos (Sr.), OT/DT Austin Jones (OT/DT), FB/OLB Jonathan Hall (Sr.), QB/S Kimury Miles (Sr.), RB/DB Dontrell Hall (Sr.)

• OUTLOOK: The Mountain Lions will need to reload, with just three starters returning on each side of the ball.

But Sauve said the team should be strong up front, led by three-year starter Ramos.

Running the football will be the key to success on offense. Jonathan Hall is a 225-pound bruiser, and the speedy Dontrell Hall could give Sierra Vista a good 1-2 punch.

Sauve said the team will run more option than it has in the past. The Mountain Lions figure to be in the mix for a playoff berth again this season.

SPRING VALLEY

• COACH: Kelly Murphy, second year

• 2008 RECORD: 8-2 (6-1 Southwest)

• RETURNING STARTERS: Five offense, five defense

• TOP PLAYERS: QB/FS Anton Stallworth (Sr.), WR Brandon Lopez (Jr.), RB T.J. Allen (Sr.), FB Jeremy Geary (Sr.), OG/DT Travon Davis (Sr.), LB Roy Mares (Sr.), DE Mike Reed (Sr.), CB Khoa Nguyen (Sr.)

• OUTLOOK: The Grizzlies have won 15 games in the last two seasons and have become a playoff fixture in the Southwest.

But they'll need to find a replacement for graduated running back Jacques Adams to repeat last year's success.

Adams was the key to the offense last season, rushing for 1,574 yards and 23 touchdowns and averaging more than 11 yards per carry.

The athletic Stallworth is back at quarterback and will need to take on more of the offensive load.

He passed for just 623 yards last season, but he was efficient, completing 54.4 percent of his passes. He had 11 TD passes and was intercepted just twice.

The Grizzlies allowed an average of 13.5 points last year, but the defense lost six all-league performers.

WESTERN

• COACH: Fernando Carmona, first year

• 2008 RECORD: 2-7 (2-5 Southwest)

• RETURNING STARTERS: Three offense, three defense

• TOP PLAYERS: OT/DT Nelson Cruz (Sr.), RB/LB Allen Davis (Jr.), C/DT Barrington Mason (Sr.), RB/S Brian Mickel (Sr.), WR/CB Donavan Oberkramer (Sr.), RB/LB Dante Warren (Sr.)

• OUTLOOK: Carmona, who was the head coach at Chaparral last season, brought in an entirely new coaching staff and implemented new schemes on offense and defense.

He'll also have almost an entirely new team, as just six seniors and one junior return from last season.

Carmona, the team's third head coach in three years, said he has just 25 players on the varsity. But he said the school would field a freshman team for the first time in three years.

Mickel, the leading returning rusher, will lead the way on offense. The 240-pound Warren also should get carries.

Carmona said his defense will emphasize speed over size and be keyed by Warren at linebacker and Mickel at safety.