Sunset Region Football Capsules

SOUTHWEST LEAGUE

BISHOP GORMAN

■ Coach: Tony Sanchez, second season (15-0)

■ 2009 record: 15-0 (8-0 Southwest)

■ Returning starters: Eight offense, four defense

■ Top players: RB/CB Shaquille Powell (Jr.); QB Jarrett Solomon (So.); OL Ronnie Stanley (Jr.); OL Ronald Scoggins (Jr.); OL A.C. Patterson (Sr.); OL Nick Strehlow (Jr.); DE Jalen Grimble (Sr.); DT Jaylon Jackson (Sr.); LB Ronald Lyles (Sr.); FS Evan Zeger (Sr.); DE Bryson Mook (Sr.)

■ Outlook: The defending state champions have won eight of the last 10 Southwest League titles and are again the clear favorites.

Gorman lost eight seniors who signed with Division I schools, but there's plenty of talent returning. The Gaels return four starters on the offensive line, which averages 295 pounds.

That group should help the team's returning skill players have big seasons. Powell rushed for 1,555 yards and 29 touchdowns as a sophomore, and Solomon passed for 2,108 yards as a freshman.

Gorman lost three Division I defensive linemen, a linebacker and a safety. But Southern California recruit Grimble returns to anchor the line. Defensive end Bryson Mook transferred from Hawaii, and brothers Quinn and Evan Zeger return after spending a year at Skyline (Wash.). Evan Zeger has committed to Washington.

BONANZA

■ Coach: Shawn Dupris, fourth year (11-20)

■ 2009 record: 3-7 (3-5 Southwest)

■ Returning starters: Three offense, three defense

■ Top players: QB Sterling Sprau (Sr.); RB Dasean Martin (Sr.); LB Everett Freer (Sr.)

■ Outlook: The Bengals had a disappointing 2009 season after making a playoff run the previous year. And though they have only eight returning lettermen, they have two dynamic skill players in Sprau and Martin.

Sprau is back for his third season starting at quarterback. He was a first-team All-Southwest pick last season after passing for 1,488 yards and 15 TDs. He also rushed for 340 yards and four scores.

Martin showed big-play ability as a runner and receiver. He rushed for 1,306 yards and made 18 catches for 333 yards. He had 24 total TDs and also was a first-team All-Southwest pick.

Things aren't as rosy on the offensive line, which lacks experience, as does the defense. Dupris has entrusted the defense to new coordinator George Baker, who was Centennial's head coach last season.

Freer, a three-year starter, highlights the defense after recording five sacks last season.

CLARK

■ Coach: Don Willis, fifth year (11-28)

■ 2009 record: 5-5 (3-5 Southwest)

■ Returning starters: Five offense, four defense

■ Top players: RB/DB Chris Jackson (Sr.); RB Derrick West (Sr.); OL Jacob Holmstrom (Sr.); OL Brady Seligman (Sr.); LB Stevie Haut (Sr.); LB Vance Gilbert (Jr.)

■ Outlook: The Chargers were once a football punch line, but Willis has them in position to challenge for the program's first playoff berth since 2001.

Clark tied for fifth in the Southwest League last season and should be among the teams fighting for one of the league's four playoff spots.

The Chargers must fill the gap left by the graduation of running back Andre Clay, who topped 1,000 yards in 2008 and ran for 864 yards and 14 TDs last season. Jackson (478 yards, 6 TDs) and West (504 yards, 3 TDs) should get the first crack to replace Clay.

DESERT OASIS

■ Coach: Faron Seibel, second year (7-3)

■ 2009 record: 7-3 (6-2 Southwest)

■ Returning starters: Four offense, three defense

■ Top players: RB KamBrenn Heatley (Jr.); RB Chaunsi Heatley (So.); QB/RB Trevon Barnes (Jr.); OG Loni Funoa (Jr.); NG Angelo Bianco (Sr.); MLB Kyle Henry (Jr.)

■ Outlook: The Diamondbacks made the playoffs in their second season, but graduation hit them hard. They lost 30 seniors and must rebuild quickly with the help of last year's one-loss junior varsity team.

The Heatleys combined to rush for 458 yards and three TDs last season in limited action, averaging 8.5 yards per carry.

On defense, the Diamondbacks must replace all-state defensive back Elijah Mitchell. Undersized nose guard Bianco returns after recording 10 sacks and earning All-Southwest League honors.

DURANGO

■ Coach: Gary Maki, third year (9-12)

■ 2009 record: 8-3 (7-1 Southwest)

■ Returning starters: Six offense, two defense

■ Top players: RB Julio Mora (Sr.); QB Chase Roberts (Sr.); OL Aleks Vekic (Jr.); OL Bing Lin (Jr.); OL Patrick Gruttadauria (Sr.); DB Donovan Smith (Sr.)

■ Outlook: Durango made a remarkable turnaround last year, going from 1-9 to 8-3 and finishing second in the Southwest, and many key pieces return.

Mora made the all-state first team, rushing for 1,785 yards and 27 TDs. Roberts is back for his third season as the starter after throwing for 1,156 yards and 14 TDs and making second-team All-Southwest.

Vekic (6-7, 321) and Lin (6-3, 321) also made second-team All-Southwest and will combine with Gruttadauria (6-0, 255) on a massive offensive line.

The defense will benefit from the return of Smith, who broke his arm in the middle of last season.

PAHRUMP VALLEY

■ Coach: Leo Verzilli, third year (1-18)

■ 2009 record: 0-9 (0-8 Southwest)

■ Returning starters: Six offense, four defense

■ Top players: DB Brandon Murphy (Jr.); RB John Mitchell (Jr.); QB Alex McGuire (Sr.)

■ Outlook: Entering their third year of Class 4A competition, the Trojans are seeking their first victory over a 4A school.

Verzilli said this team is showing improvement, and counts an experienced offensive line and good team speed among the team's assets.

Getting his players to believe they can compete at the 4A level remains one of Verzilli's biggest hurdles. "They were kind of in awe the first couple years," he said. "That's what we've got to get over."

SIERRA VISTA

■ Coach: Mark Sauve, sixth year (19-33)

■ 2009 record: 2-8 (2-6 Southwest)

■ Returning starters: Four offense, four defense

■ Top players: OT Frank Patella (Jr.); TE/DE Cameron Carlson (Sr.); RB/LB Jordan Foster (Sr.); RB/QB Ryan Pheung (Jr.); DT/G Ross Pappas (Sr.); OL/DL Meshkat Mirzaei (Sr.)

■ Outlook: Having missed the playoffs last year, the Mountain Lions will need to show improvement in several areas to get back into the postseason.

Defense was Sierra Vista's biggest problem. It allowed 39.4 points per game, including 60 or more in two games. Sauve hopes speed and aggressiveness will improve the defense.

The Mountain Lions must replace lone all-league performer Dontrell Hall, who graduated after rushing for 746 yards and scoring a team-high 13 TDs. Sauve said he'll rely on the run, rotating multiple backs.

SPRING VALLEY

■ Coach: Marcus Teal, first year

■ 2009 record: 6-5 (5-3 Southwest)

■ Returning starters: Four offense, four defense

■ Top players: WR Brandon Lopez (Sr.); QB Jordan Cox (Sr.); OG Kevin Bodda (Sr.); OT Nick Overcast (Sr.); DT Javell Valley (Sr.); DE Mike Dyer (Sr.); LB Raymond Waters (Jr.); SS Rondale Scruggs (Jr.)

■ Outlook: Teal, the Grizzlies' offensive coordinator for three seasons, takes over a team that should be in the mix for a playoff berth.

The offense must replace Taj Allen, who rushed for 1,145 yards and 12 TDs. Lopez, a first-team All-Southwest pick, is a big-play threat. He caught 19 passes for 365 yards and three scores.

Cox saw some time at quarterback last year, completing 51.2 percent of his passes for 388 yards and four TDs.

Dyer, a first-team All-Southwest defensive end, leads a unit that allowed an average of 26.1 points in 2009.

WESTERN

■ Coach: Fernando Carmona, second year (1-8)

■ 2009 record: 1-8 (1-7 Southwest)

■ Returning starters: Three offense, three defense

■ Top players: RB/LB Allen Davis (Sr.); WR/LB Aaron Buckley (Sr.); RB Tadarrell Mason (Sr.); NG David Asoau (Sr.); DT Daniel Lake (Sr.)

■ Outlook: Carmona has gone to an I-formation offense that will lean on running backs Davis, Mason and Reggie Williams.

The offensive line is young but big. Freshman Joe Jackson might be the answer at quarterback, as the team tries to replace the graduated Dante Warren.

On defense, Carmona looks for big things from Buckley at linebacker.

NORTHWEST LEAGUE

ARBOR VIEW

■ Coach: Dan Barnson, fourth year (14-16)

■ 2009 record: 6-4 (4-4 Northwest)

■ Returning starters: One offense, three defense

■ Top players: FB Christian Rodriguez (Jr.); RB/DB Roderick Eason (Jr.); ILB Brandon Baker (Sr.); DE Ray Brito (Sr.)

■ Outlook: After a 2-0 start last season, the Aggies faltered and narrowly missed the playoffs for the second straight year. Now Barnson must find a way to replace several key players, including leading rusher DeMarlo Virgil (906 yards, 11 TDs) and two-way all-league selection Jordan Miller.

Rodriguez ran for 251 yards and five TDs. Eason showed promise, averaging 8.7 yards on 11 carries.

Baker (44 tackles) and Eason (36 tackles, two interceptions) return to lead the defense.

CENTENNIAL

■ Coach: Leon Evans, first year

■ 2009 record: 3-7 (3-5 Northwest)

■ Returning starters: Not available

■ Top players: LB/RB Willie White (Sr.); OL/DL Adam Ferman (Sr.); QB Cody Clark (Sr.); RB/DB Jacobi Owens (Jr.); OL/DL Jordan Allen (Sr.)

■ Outlook: Evans takes over for George Baker, who had a 13-17 record in three years. Evans went 5-15 the last two years at Eldorado, but guided Desert Pines to the state championship game in 2002.

Centennial last made the playoffs in 2003.

The Bulldogs must make up for the loss of QB Chris Henderson, who rushed for 384 yards and two TDs and passed for 839 yards and six TDs, and leading rusher Javahn Sanders (781 yards, 5 TDs).

Clark saw some action at quarterback, passing for 267 yards and no touchdowns. Taj Cole (148 yards) was the team's No. 3 rusher.

CHEYENNE

■ Coach: David Cochran, first year

■ 2009 record: 5-6 (5-3 Northwest)

■ Returning starters: Six offense, five defense

■ Top players: C Lenicio Noble (Sr.); WR/DB Marquis Holliday (Sr.); FB/LB Andrew Calhoun (Sr.)

■ Outlook: Cochran is the Desert Shields' fourth head coach in three seasons, so the players are again adjusting to a new system.

Cochran was a Cheyenne assistant for five years under former coach Charles Anthony, but was not involved with the program last season. He said he will change the offensive focus back to the running game and to stopping the run on defense.

Cochran must find a replacement for the graduated Jordan Butler, who rushed for 925 yards and five TDs and caught 24 passes for 332 yards and six TDs.

CIMARRON-MEMORIAL

■ Coach: Rod Vollan, third year (16-8)

■ 2009 record: 9-3 (6-2 Northwest)

■ Returning starters: Two offense, one defense

■ Top players: RB/LB Christian Brown (Sr.); LB A.J. Morrison (Sr.); OL Attwood Duncan (Jr.); CB Brandon Robinson (Sr.)

■ Outlook: Cimarron has made 15 consecutive playoff appearances and reached the Sunset Region final in 2009, but Vollan's young squad might face its toughest road to the postseason in recent memory.

The Spartans' 29-man roster has only nine seniors. Ten sophomores are on the initial roster, and most of last year's impact players are gone. The graduated James Poole, Zach Barbara and Stephen Nixon combined to run for 3,506 yards and 45 touchdowns. Poole was a first-team all-state pick after leading the team with 1,678 rushing yards and 20 TDs.

Junior quarterback Gerard Martinez sat out last season after transferring from The Meadows, where he passed for 2,146 yards and 33 TDs and led the Mustangs to a Class 2A state title as a freshman.

FAITH LUTHERAN

■ Coach: Jacob Kothe, 10th year

■ 2009 record: 1-8 (1-7 Northwest)

■ Returning starters: Six offense, five defense

■ Top players: QB Joe Portaro (Sr.); WR/S Don Pearson (Sr.); TE/DE Brett Lubbe (Sr.); T A.J. Kaplan (Sr.); LB Justin Dannan (Sr.)

■ Outlook: Injuries derailed the Crusaders last year in their first season at the 4A level, and their thin depth again makes them vulnerable.

Faith Lutheran will throw early and often and should be able to score. Stopping opponents could be more troublesome; the Crusaders allowed an average of 38.6 points last season.

Portaro passed for 971 yards and nine TDs last season in four games. Pearson was a second-team all-state receiver with 41 catches for 616 yards and six TDs. Those statistics are even more impressive considering Pearson played five games at quarterback after Portaro went down.

Lubbe made seven catches for 107 yards in the first two weeks before injuries ended his season.

LEGACY

■ Coach: David Snyder, fifth year (21-20)

■ 2009 record: 11-1 (8-0 Northwest)

■ Returning starters: One offense, two defense

■ Top players: RB L.J. McMorris (Jr.); OL/DL James Price (Sr.); DL Jamar Woods (Sr.)

■ Outlook: The Longhorns won their first league title last year, but have lost nearly everyone from that team and will struggle to prove they'll be annual contenders.

Price and Woods will anchor both lines. Price made first team all-state as a defensive lineman, and he and Woods will comprise a formidable tackle combo.

McMorris rushed for 510 yards and four TDs in limited action and will get plenty of carries after the graduation loss of Deshae Edwards (1,426 rushing yards, 15 TDs) and Martell Crockett (765 yards, 8 TDs).

Legacy also must replace first-team all-state linebacker Billy Purcell and quarterback Devin Wiedemann, who passed for 11 TDs and ran for eight.

MOJAVE

■ Coach: Tyrone Armstrong, eighth year (22-45)

■ 2009 record: 2-7 (1-7 Northwest)

■ Returning starters: Three offense, three defense

■ Top players: OL Sevaughn Thomas (Jr.); OL Jaishann Dean (Jr.); QB/DB Terrence Davis (Sr.); QB Trevonte Veal (Jr.); RB Antoie Virgil (Sr.); S Mike Lewis (Sr.); LB James Jones (Sr.); DE/OL Kevin Glover (Sr.)

■ Outlook: The Rattlers have won two games in the last two seasons, but Armstrong is optimistic his team will be better.

He said the offensive line is improved. Last season, the Rattlers allowed twice as many points in the first two weeks (108) as they scored all season (54), and the team was shut out five times.

Davis and Veal are battling at quarterback, and Armstrong said both looked good in a scrimmage. Jones moves to inside linebacker, and Armstrong said basketball player Lewis, who hadn't played football before this year, is looking good at safety.

"I think some people are going to be surprised by what the Rattlers can do this year," Armstrong said.

PALO VERDE

■ Coach: Darwin Rost, 15th year (107-37)

■ 2009 record: 10-2 (7-1 Northwest)

■ Returning starters: Four offense, five defense

■ Top players: RB/DB Brandon Wright (Sr.); DB Jerrol Garcia-Williams (Jr.); TE/LB Thayer Coon (Sr.); OT Francisco Andrade (Sr.); C Mitchel Geib (Sr.); DT Dillon Chaisson (Jr.); DE Doug Stultz (Sr.)

■ Outlook: The Panthers should again be one of the top teams in the Sunset Region, but graduation left several holes. Wright was the team's leading rusher with 1,181 yards and 16 TDs, but the graduated Tyrone Blake and Chappell Thomas combined to rush for 2,014 yards and 30 TDs.

But Palo Verde usually is able to plug another athlete into its double-wing offense and get quality production. Andrade, a first-team All-Northwest tackle, and Geib return to anchor the offensive line.

On defense, the Panthers must replace their top three tacklers in Daniel Godkin, Blake and Grant Bernhardy. Stultz and Chaisson combined for 20 sacks and will key the defensive front.

SHADOW RIDGE

■ Coach: Gabe Gledhill, fourth year (6-23)

■ 2009 record: 1-8 (1-7 Northwest)

■ Returning starters: Nine offense, eight defense

■ Top players: QB/FS Nick McDearmon (Sr.); OL/DL Alex Martinez (Sr.); FB/OLB Michael Tootle (Sr.); OL/LB Jordan Kurth; FB/ILB Cameron Raynor (Sr.)

■ Outlook: Shadow Ridge's roster is made up almost entirely of seniors. Only two juniors appear on the squad's 35-man roster.

McDearmon has been limited by injuries, but he's been a fixture since his sophomore year and should be ready to lead the team if he can stay healthy.

The Mustangs struggled on offense last season, scoring 65 points, and were shut out three times.

The defense fared better and should be improved, led by two All-Northwest players, Martinez and Tootle (99 tackles). Kurth also made 90 tackles.