Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2003 | 9:42 a.m.
Coach: Cliff Frazier (12th year)
2002 Record: 8-3 (Lost to Las Vegas in Sunrise semifinals)
Returning starters: 4 (2/2)
Key returners: Chris Montano, QB, Sr.; A.J. Montano, WR, Jr.; Adrian Abril, WR, Sr.; Jordan Jaramillo, OT, Sr.; Donnie Eredia, TE, Sr.
Breakout player: Anthony Brenagh, OG/DT, Jr.
With a developing body at 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, Brenagh must come along quickly for a Basic line that needs help.
Said Frazier: "Every day, it seems like he improves by leaps and bounds. He does a great job on both sides of the ball."
Outlook: The Wolves are one of the city's most interesting teams. With a pass-happy offense, Basic needs QB Chris Montano to return to the form that made him a college prospect before a season-ending knee injury late last year. Surrounding Montano is an unusually athletic Basic group. "This is probably the best team speed we've ever had," Frazier said.
The key here is up front. Basic lost standout Lance Jaworski over the summer, weakening a trench group already shredded by graduation. If the Wolves can protect Montano, this offense might be able to score enough points to cover for a potentially suspect defense. Coaches are expecting help from sophomore RB Chris Lowe. Look for Basic to finish right behind Foothill in the Southeast, and don't be surprised if Frazier primes this group for the playoffs.
Coach: Paul Berg (1st year)
2002 Record: 3-6
Returning starters: 15 (8/7)
Key returners: Quincy Poole, RB/LB, Sr.; Ben Keller, TE/LB, Sr.; Austin Byrd, FB/NT, Sr.; Mike Marano, OL/DL, Sr.; Forest Washington, WR/DB, Sr.
Breakout player: Koury Fingers, WR, Sr.
Tough receiver could make a name catching passes from sleeper QB Andrew Hatch.
Said Berg: "He has a chance of stepping up and becoming a solid leader for us, as well as being one of our leading receivers."
Outlook: Coming into its third year of existence, Coronado continues its search for an identity as a program. The Cougars are yet to make the playoffs, and Berg -- doing double duty as both basketball and football coach -- said that needs to change. "Their expectations are a little bit higher (this year)," Berg said. "They set the main team goal as making the playoffs."
Scrapping with Silverado and Green Valley for the two spots below Foothill and Basic, that is a realistic goal for the Cougars. If they can find some team chemistry, there are some strong individual athletes in Byrd and Keller who can lead the charge. Berg expects the strength of the team to be on the defensive line and in the linebacking corps. With 15 returners, the playoffs are not out of the question in the Southeast.
Coach: Ray Fenton (5th year)
2002 Record: 9-2 (Lost to Desert Pines in Sunrise semifinals)
Returning starters (O/D): 11 (6/5)
Key returners: Mike Roland, DE, Sr.; Mark Mattison, DT, Sr.; Isaac Espejo, ILB, Sr.; Jon Monga, OT/DT, Sr.
Breakout player: Chris Gillaspy, SS, Sr.
After playing free safety in the shadow of standout SS Nate Wederquist last season, Gillespie now takes over as leader of defensive backfield.
Said Fenton: "He's a really bright kid and we're playing some games with him on defense. We're really going to expand that position."
Outlook: Without a clear-cut favorite in the Sunrise this year, watch out for the Falcons. Remember that this team was a bad penalty away from the Sunrise final last season. "We've been there basically the last two years, competing at the top level of the city," Fenton said.
For as good as Oregon State-bound DE Jeff Van Orsow was, expect Roland to be even better. With Roland and Mattison manning the defensive line, and strong Monga leading the offensive line, Foothill will be tough in the trenches. Watch out for promising freshman DeAngelo Jones, who will make noise this year. Fenton also feels that the Falcons will be both stronger and faster than they were last season. This year could bring a return trip to state for Foothill.
Coach: Greg Murphy (1st year)
2002 Record: 2-8 (Lost to Desert Pines in Sunrise quarterfinals)
Returning starters (O/D): 6 (3/3)
Key returners: Lance Patonai, QB, Sr.; Andrew Kosloske, OL/DL, Sr.; Ron Lyster, TE, Sr.; Josh Soriano, WR/DB, Sr.; Daniel Britt, RB, Sr.; Jimmy Lee, OL/LB, Jr.
Breakout player: Brett Johnson, WR/FS, Jr.
Tall, athletic (6-foot-3, 185 pounds) player with physical tools to become Patonai's top target.
Said Murphy: "He's very talented, but we've got a lot of work to do."
Outlook: Murphy built the highly successful Centennial program from the ground up, and his task will be much the same with once-mighty Green Valley. "We're getting back to basics, just starting from scratch, building from fundamentals," Murphy said.
The Gators will rely on Patonai to lead the offense, which sputtered last season. The big left-hander can sling it, and Green Valley will return to a more balanced offense this year. This program will rise from the ashes, but it will take at least a couple of years for Murphy to make the Gators contenders.
Coach: Doug Thornhill (1st year)
2002 Record: 2-7 (Lost to Las Vegas in Sunrise quarterfinals)
Returning starters (O/D): 8 (4/4)
Key returners: Nick McCombs, QB, Jr.; Larry Pabst, SS, Sr.; Dominic Camarata, LB, Sr.
Breakout player: Spencer Armstrong, FS, Sr.
Teamed with Pabst, Armstrong could be one of the better safeties in the division.
Said Thornhill: "He came into camp in great shape. He might end up being our starting tailback too. He's looking really good."
Outlook: Silverado is just hoping to avoid the devastating injuries -- particularly the loss of star RB Larry Patterson -- that ripped through last year's team. The bright side is how many players saw the field in a lost season, but the Skyhawks are not expected to be among the best of the Southeast. "We're not getting a lot of respect because of our record and losing some big names, but these kids think they can play," Thornhill said.
Pabst also played quarterback last year when McCombs injured his ankle, and his full-time return to strong safety will aid the defense. Silverado, Coronado, and Green Valley are all in the same boat -- fine on effort, short on talent, and scrapping for two playoff spots. An infusion of new energy from Thornhill could be just what this middling program needs.
Coach: Cary Mitchell (1st season)
2002 Record: 4-5 (Lost to Foothill in Sunrise Region quarterfinals)
Returning starters (O/D): 7 (5/2)
Key returners: Brad Woodward, QB, Sr.; Andre Frazier, FS, Sr.; Anthony Daforno, TE, Sr.; Joe Frank, OT/DE, Sr.; Mario Jeberaeel, OT, Sr.; Chris Chambers, OL, Jr.
Breakout player: Kamar Bryant, WR/DB, Sr.
Out of football last year, Bryant returns to the field for the Cowboys and looks to make an immediate impact.
Said Mitchell: "He was very impressive in passing league and he caught the eye of some college coaches. We're hoping for big things out of him."
Outlook: The Cowboys nearly pulled the upset of the year against Foothill in the opening round of the playoffs last season, but they may be hard-pressed to repeat that success. "We do have some good skill people and a couple of good linemen," Mitchell said. "We just don't have very good numbers. I think we're a team that can have the potential to reach the next level ... I still think we have an outside chance."
With just two returning starters on defense, the Cowboys may need to put up some points to cover for that unit. Chaparral will just be happy to leave behind the turmoil of last season, when former coach Ricky Watts was suspended in the middle of the year. The Cowboys are probably in for another four-win season.
Coach: Leon Evans (2nd year)
2002 Record: 12-2 (Lost to McQueen in state championship)
Returning starters (O/D): 5 (3/2)
Key returners: Josh Webster, QB, Sr.; Mike Washington, WR/DB, Sr.; Otis Hawkins, LB, Sr.; Robert Travers, OL/DL, Sr.; Vic Sehdev, OL, Sr.; John Stoldorf, WR, Jr.
Breakout player: Donte Minton, RB, Jr.
Replacing Nevada player of the year Cornell Johnson is no easy task, but the Jaguars have high hopes for the speedy Minton.
Said Evans: "He has great vision and great feet. He's more of a scat back, making people miss. He's completely different than Cornell."
Outlook: Four years of talent matured at once for Desert Pines last season, resulting in a run to the state title game. That means the bar is set quite high for future teams. "I don't think you can have an encore for this team," Evans said. "We're in a rebuilding phase."
There is some talent left over from last year. Washington displayed a nose for the ball in the playoffs, Travers is one of the city's most fiery players, and Stoldorf is underrated at wideout. Success breeds success at this level, and it is Evans' responsibility to make it happen. The Jaguars will make the playoffs and maybe win a game to make things interesting.
Coach: Frank DeSantis (1st year)
2002 Record: 3-7 (Lost to Basic in Sunrise Region quarterfinals)
Returning starters (O/D): 10 (5/5)
Key returners: Brandon Godfrey, QB, Jr.; Cody Cunningham, TE, Sr.; Sean Tracy, C, Sr.; Steve Deborski, LB, Sr.; Charlton Hankston, LB, Sr.
Breakout player: Anthony Lide, WR, Sr.
With the Sundevils placing an increased emphasis on the passing game, this sleeper wideout will get a chance to shine.
Said DeSantis: "I think he's going to have a really good year. He's been working hard."
Outlook: After an abrupt and unexpected dismissal from Cimarron-Memorial, DeSantis lands on his feet with an intriguing Eldorado program. The Sundevils return nearly half their starters from a team that came on late last season. "Our schedule's tough," DeSantis said. "We just want to see how they react in game situations."
The emphasis is simple, DeSantis said: Block, tackle, cut down on penalties, and improve the kicking game. The pressure is on Godfrey with increased reliance on the pass. Keep an eye on Hankston, a rock who can be disruptive on both sides of the ball. The Sundevils will be in the mix for a playoff berth in the thin Northeast.
Coach: Kris Cinkovich (9th year)
2002 Record: 11-1 (Lost to Desert Pines in Sunrise final)
Returning starters (O/D): 9 (6/3)
Key returners: Ryan Meuir, CB/RB, Sr.; Stanley Copeland, CB/WR, Sr.; David Mann, OL, Sr.; Chris Gifford, OLB/QB, Sr.
Breakout player: Steve Holmes, DE/TE, Sr.
A contributor during Las Vegas' strong 2002 campaign, Holmes is expected to take on more responsibility in his senior season.
Said Cinkovich: "He won't get a ton of recognition, but he's a great blocker for a tight end and just a really good defensive end."
Outlook: For the past two years, Las Vegas has been the prohibitive favorite in the South. Despite losing a number of key performers, the Wildcats are still generating a buzz around town in the preseason. Cinkovich says thanks, but no thanks. "It's nice that people think we've got a good program, but nobody's seen our team play," Cinkovich said.
Las Vegas' reputed offseason weightlifting program produced another solid offensive line, which Cinkovich expects to anchor the team. The cornerback tandem of Meuir and Copeland is likely the city's best, and Meuir will share time at tailback with sophomore Eric Jordan. Someone must step up and replace the leadership void left by Chad Pool. If the senior leadership is present, count on the Wildcats to win the division.
Coach: Roger Whalen (3rd year)
2002 Record: 3-6
Returning starters (O/D): 13 (6/7)
Key returners: Antonio Scott, QB, Sr.; Josh Fox, LB, Sr.; Howard Cuveston, TE/ LB, Sr.; Dale Poole, RB/CB, Sr.; Lionel Vincent, WR, Sr.
Breakout player: Bryson Beasley, FB, Sr.
After missing the past two season, Beasley is expected to contribute big things on offense.
Said Whalen: "He seems really hungry and he's been impressive in the preseason."
Outlook: After starting well, the Rams melted down with 27 turnovers in their final four games, playing themselves right out of contention. Whalen senses some lingering frustration with that finish from his large group of returners. "I think these kids seem really hungry," Whalen said.
Scott will be pivotal if the Rams are to do anything this season. Lacking size on both lines, Rancho will attempt to use its advantage in quickness all over the field to beat opponents. The Rams are interesting because they have shown flashes of great play over the past two seasons. The time is now for Rancho in a tightly bunched Northeast race.
Coach: Greg Sellers (5th year)
2002 Record: 0-9
Returning starters: 8 (4/4)
Key returners: Joe Morgan, OL, Sr.; Will Goodrich, OL, Sr.; Marcus Cotton, LB, Jr.; Kevin Scott, LB, Jr.; Major Gray, RB, Jr.
Breakout player: Mike Barnes, CB, Jr.
After seeing significant playing time as a sophomore, Barnes looks to develop into one of the Sunrise's best defensive backs.
Said Sellers: "Not a lot of receivers caught balls against him last year. No one knows about him."
Outlook: It certainly cannot get worse for the Vikings, who went winless in a painful season. Sellers became the most frequent advice recipient in Las Vegas. "Everyone in town's telling you what you've got to do different to win a game," Sellers said.
What Valley needed to do was grow up, literally -- the Vikings featured numerous sophomore starters. This year, the Vikings will start 17 juniors and Sellers said the season lies in their development. With Gray in the backfield, the Vikings may not be the city's best team, but they should be fun to watch. The goal around Valley is at least a break-even season.
archive
