Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2003 | 9:16 a.m.
Predicted order of finish
1. Durango: Key injuries a major concern.
2. Bishop Gorman: Wildcard team is very talented.
3. Sierra Vista: About time for a step forward.
4. Western: Lack of depth, eligibility troubling.
5. Clark: See No. 4.
6. Bonanza: So close, so many times in 2002.
1. Palo Verde: Best by a hair over Shields.
2. Cheyenne: Watch out for David Peeples.
3. Centennial: Cupboard looks bare after 2003.
4. Cimarron-Memorial: Look for them around .500.
5. Mojave: Mired in a brutal division.
Bishop Gorman Gaels
Coach: David White (1st year)
2002 Record: 6-4 (Lost to Cimarron-Memorial in Sunset quartefinals)
Returning starters (O/D): 7 (3/4)
Key returners: D.J. Senters, RB, Sr.; Chris Mark, TE/DE, Sr.; Bert Ference, LB, Sr.; Morgan West, OL, Sr.; Steve Harris, QB, Sr.
Breakout player: Ryan Reynolds, LB, Jr.
A transfer from White's former school in Lake Havasu, Ariz., Reynolds is expected to get offers from some of the nation's top programs within a week.
Said White: "He has a great work ethic and he's quick. He's so powerful, has a good nose for the ball, and he's a yes sir, no sir guy."
Outlook: Cimarron exposed the Gaels as the best of a weak Southwest crop in last year's playoffs. The challenge for Gorman is to overcome inexperience and compete with Durango for the division crown. "A lot of people expect us to be down, but we're rejuvenated in terms of excitement about playing football," White said.
That excitement is mainly about the offense. Strong-armed Harris can shine this year, with Senters and Mark possessing potential to be all-conference performers. The Gaels, however, will start a defense of mostly sophomores around Reynolds and that is a scary thought. It's looking a lot like second place behind Durango and a tough first-round playoff game for Gorman.
Bonanza Bengals
Coach: Johnny Macon (2nd year)
2002 Record: 1-8
Returning starters: 5 (2/3)
Key returners: Mark Seward, SS, Sr.; Brett Perry, QB, Jr.; Matt Marsh, CB, Sr.; Al Bayardo, RB, Sr.
Breakout player: Tico Pringle, CB, Sr.
The Bengals need impact players all over the field and with two tough QBs in the division, secondary help is a must.
Said Macon: "He has the determination to do what it takes to get the job done. I think he has the skills and I know he has the attitude."
Outlook: What a weird season it was at Bonanza -- the Bengals could have won three or four more games with even a little bit of defense. With just five starters back from a squad that struggled, Bonanza wants only to continue to rebuild its program. "If we start to listen to people outside and base what we do on the opponent we play, we'll get in trouble," Macon said.
Seward should be an important player in the secondary. The bloodlines are certainly on his side. Bonanza simply has too many holes to fill to be in serious contention in the Southwest this year. The Bengals will hope to compete for one of the division's final playoff spots.
Clark Chargers
Coach: Carlton Lamb (2nd season)
2002 Record: 4-6 (Lost to Centennial in Sunset quarterfinals)
Returning starters (O/D): 10 (5/5)
Key returners: Josh Tuitele, QB, Sr.; Curtis Knight, DB/RB, Sr.; Darrell Carter, DB/RB, Sr.; Ilander Parks, OG/LB, Sr.; Bartolo Espana-Austin, OL/DL, Sr.
Breakout player: Theron Young, FB/LB, Sr.
Young sat out last year after transferring from Foothill and coaches have high hopes for him in the ground game.
Said Lamb: "He's a very strong runner. He's a very smart, heady player."
Outlook: The Chargers feel they have options this year -- or more appropriately, one important option. "We're an option team and not many teams will be running the option," Lamb said. "That will kind of be our ace in the hole." Lamb is counting on Tuitele, the team's best player, to run the option offense effectively.
It is the same old story for Clark, Lamb said. If the Chargers can remain both healthy and eligible throughout the season, they will have a good chance to win some games. Without much size on the lines, Clark will have to be faster and smarter. That will work against weaker foes, but the Valley's big boys will not push over so easily.
Durango Trailblazers
Coach: John Mausbach (8th year)
2002 Record: 6-4 (Lost to Palo Verde in Sunset quarterfinals)
Returning starters (O/D): 10 (5/5)
Key returners: Robert DeMartini, DL, Sr.; LaBroi Walton, RB, Sr.; LaBroi Walton, RB, Sr.; Thomas Ott, WR/DB, Sr.; Tommy Viskovich, LB, Sr.
Breakout player: Emilio Gonzales, QB, Sr.
With a strong arm, Gonzales hopes to lead a normally ground-oriented Blazers offense.
Said Mausbach: "If we can put a surrounding cast around him, he'll probably be one of the best quarterbacks in the city."
Outlook: Durango's potentially bright season had some shadows fall on it this week. DeMartini, one of the city's best defensive prospects, has a torn meniscus in his right knee and could miss three weeks or more. Walton, possible the team's best runner, is out at least two weeks with a bad right ankle. "I'm not giving up," Mausbach said.
Nor should he -- the Blazers overcame major injuries last season to finish second in the Southwest. On paper, Durango is one of the city's elite this year, but the pressure falls squarely on Gonzales if other key players are lost for a while. If everyone is healthy by season's end, the Blazers will be a factor in the playoffs. Right now, that's a big if.
Sierra Vista Lions
Coach: Ben Johnson (2nd year)
2002 Record: 3-6
Returning starters (O/D): 10 (5/5)
Key returners: Chet Whitley, WR, Sr.; Ronald Boone, OT, Jr.; Chris Trillo, S, Sr.
Breakout player: Garrett Chapel, LB, Jr.
With room to shine on a young Lions team, Chapel (6-foot-1, 210 pounds) should step forward and fulfill the potential that many are forecasting.
Said Johnson: "He is a very strong, physical kid. I think he can be outstanding. He's the second-best I've coached since (Oregon State standout linebacker) Richard Seigler."
Outlook: In its first year in the Southwest, Sierra Vista struggled just to put enough players on the field. "Our depth is so much better," Johnson said. "Last year, we were just basically trying to field a team." Unfortunately, it showed, as the Lions raced to a strong start and faded in division play.
The Southwest is more open this year, meaning that the Lions might compete for a playoff spot. Sierra Vista is not extremely talented at any one spot, but there should be enough talent in the tank to scrap with Clark, Western, and Bonanza for the spots below Durango and Bishop Gorman. Whitley is a solid athlete who could be interesting if Johnson finds ways to keep him involved in the offense.
Western Warriors
Coach: Charles Anthony (3rd year)
2002 Record: 4-6 (Lost to Cheyenne in Sunset quarterfinals)
Returning starters (O/D): 7 (4/3)
Key returners: Duane Paul, LB/RB, Sr.; Demario Harris, WR, Sr.; Vidal White, OLB, Sr.; Ben Thompson, C, Sr.; Ryan Voight, OG/LB, Sr.
Breakout player: Dwan Wilson, FS/RB, Sr.
Think Chad Pool: Undersized (145 pounds) but active player with a nose for the ball.
Said Anthony: "He's in on every play. He's one of those guys that shows up on film every play."
Outlook: The Warriors are looking to get back into the mix this season, and it is entirely possible in the four-team parity below Durango and Bishop Gorman in the Southwest. Anthony feels there is plenty of talent if his team can come together. "I think we'll do pretty good," Anthony said. "I think we'll hold our own."
Anthony raves about Wilson, whose 5-foot-7 frame is what keeps him from getting more recognition and recruiting attention. Western will again be thin throughout the ranks, but Anthony feels the players he has are mostly contributors. Expect Western, Clark, and Sierra Vista to be battling for the final two playoff spots in the division.
Centennial Bulldogs
Coach: Joel Bertsch (1st year)
2002 Record: 10-1 (Lost to Palo Verde in Sunset semifinals)
Returning starters (O/D): 8 (2/6)
Key returners: Brooks Lewis, WR/CB, Sr.; Blake Valles, C, Sr.; Stephen Nwogbe, DL, Sr.; Chris Romero, DL, Sr.; James Jacobs, DL, Sr.; Wykean Johnson, FB/LB, Sr.
Breakout player: Aaron Prado, QB, Jr.
More of a drop-back quarterback than Cory Gray, Prado should lend a different look to the Bulldogs' offense.
Said Bertsch: "He catches on really quickly, throws a really nice ball, and he can read the defense."
Outlook: One of the city's most balanced teams last year, Centennial will have to rely on its defense to carry an offense stripped of every key position player. "We're going to have to come together on offense really quick," Bertsch said. "I think we'll be pretty solid on defense. The offensive line will be key."
Bertsch said players like Lewis and Johnson will be important skill position contributors on offense. Watch Nwogbe this season as he attempts to make the leap from good to great. The Bulldogs lost many players to graduation and seven starters to Shadow Ridge, but there should be enough in the cupboard for one more push into the playoffs before things get dicey.
Cheyenne Desert Shields
Coach: Dave Snyder (3rd year)
Record: 9-4 (Lost to Desert Pines in state semifinals)
Returning starters (O/D): 12 (6/6)
Key returners: David Peeples, TB, Sr.; Chris Lowery, OL, Sr.; Perry Eppinger, OL, Jr.; Clint Rossum, OG, Sr.; Julian Clark, LB, Sr.; Trivion McKenzie, LB, Sr.; Ray Garvin, DB, Sr.
Breakout player: DeMarco Virgil, ILB, Sr.
For the second straight year, the Shields should be strong at linebacker, and Virgil is a likely candidate to surprise.
Said Snyder: "He worked really hard in the weight room and got himself physically stronger. I think that will make the difference in his ability to play the game."
Outlook: The Shields snuck into last year's state playoffs and return 12 starters, including stud RB Peeples. To hear Snyder describe this season with question marks is rather surprising. "It's kind of a rebuilding year," Snyder said. "The defense will be a big question."
True, replacing second-team All-State LB LaVar Porter will be a challenge, but McKenzie, Clark, and Virgil will help. Cheyenne is always dangerous because of its team speed and an improved offensive line should make a huge difference as well. The Shields will battle at the top of the Northwest with Palo Verde, and they are viable playoff contenders.
Cimarron-Memorial Spartans
Coach: Ron Smeltzer (1st year)
Record: 5-6 (Lost to Cheyenne in Sunset semifinals)
Returning starters (O/D): 7 (3/4)
Key returners: Dylan Hinton, QB/CB, Sr.; Matt Miller, LB/TE, Sr.; Mike Tew, FB/ NG, Sr.
Breakout player: Andrew Smith, WR/DB, Sr.
The Spartans lost standout WR Fred Wilson in the offseason, and Smith (6-foot-2, 180 pounds) will be counted on to replace his production.
Said Smeltzer: "I'm really impressed with him. I think he's a kid who can eventually play at the next level. He runs well, has great hands, and can leap."
Outlook: Even after a successful 2002 campaign, Cimarron starts anew with some old faces. Smeltzer returns to Cimarron from Coronado to team with former head coach Greg Spencer, who now runs the defense. The Spartans should be competitive in the smashmouth Northwest. "I think we're going to be OK," Smeltzer said. "I don't think I'd say we'll be one of the best teams in the county."
Smeltzer is concerned about a lack of size on the offensive and defensive lines, and that is a bit troubling. Miller is the real deal at linebacker and should buoy the defense, and Tew is also very solid on both sides of the ball. This year will look similar to 2002 for the Spartans -- a playoff berth and maybe some first-round excitement. Give it a year, though, and this program might rise higher.
Mojave Rattlers
Coach: Tyrone Armstrong (1st year)
2002 Record: 0-9
Returning starters (O/D): N/A
Key returners: N/A
Breakout player: N/A
Outlook: It was another difficult season for the Rattlers, who found themselves on the wrong end of a number of blowout losses last year. The Rattlers did not have the horses to survive in the treacherous Northwest last season, and while they will likely be more competitive in 2003, they are not ready to hang in this division. First-year coach Tyrone Armstrong, a veteran coach in Las Vegas, will get the most out of this team, and Mojave will likely end the winless streak at some point this year.
Palo Verde Panthers
Coach: Darwin Rost (8th year)
2002 Record: 9-4 (Lost to McQueen in state semifinals)
Returning starters (O/D): 7 (4/3)
Key returners: Tyree Walton, RB/DB, Sr.; Jamal Brumfield, RB/DB, Sr.; Nick Hulbert, OG/LB, Sr.; Matt Ladesic, OG/LB, Sr.; Justin Scheeler, TE/DE, Sr.
Breakout player: Jarrell Harrison, QB, Jr.
He's not a well-kept secret after starting at quarterback last year, but Harrison could be even better than most already expect him to be.
Said Rost: "He's such an athlete. His leadership ability is just phenomenal."
Outlook: There is a brimming sense of optimism around Palo Verde that its unorthodox double-wing offense and smothering defense might be poised to go even deeper into the playoffs. The Panthers lost a number of important players, but Rost feels this group can be as good as last year's state semifinalist. "We still have a couple of holes to fill," Rost said. "If we fill those holes, we'll be a pretty consistent team."
A plodding offense kept the Panthers from challenging McQueen last year. Rost said the offense will open up a bit this year, and that can't hurt in Northwest games typically decided by a touchdown or less. Walton and Brumfield must be able to find space to run against the stacked fronts the Panthers will face. Look for Palo Verde to be one of the South's top state contenders.
archive
