Canyon Springs out to take top spot in Northeast

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Monday, Aug. 23, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

It’s a game that won’t happen until the end of October.

And while there are plenty of meaningful contests on the schedule before the Canyon Springs football team faces rival Las Vegas High , it’s never too early to start talking about the game that will likely determine the Northeast Division champion.

Unlike last year, when Canyon Springs dropped a heartbreaker by 10 points, Pioneers’ coach Hunkie Cooper is optimistic that it will be his team that emerges on top.

“Las Vegas has some great tradition,” Cooper said. “You just don’t go in there and beat Vegas. They beat us last year with a team I thought we were better than. Only time will tell what happens this year. It’s going to be a big game.”

But it’s premature to talk about a game in October — especially when you look at the Pioneers’ non-league schedule.

The season starts Sept. 2 for Canyon Springs against defending Sunrise Regional champion and state runner-up Del Sol. They play an always-tough Basic team the following week.

In Cooper’s second year, he feels his program is on the cusp of greatness. Knocking off Del Sol and Basic would help be a step in the right direction.

“We have no superstar,” Cooper said. “If everyone does what we need them to do, we can be a successful team.”

Cooper said one of the team’s strength is its team speed. Now, it’s up to him to take advantage of the athletes.

“If we eliminate the mistakes, and play fast and physical, we’ll be in good shape,” he said. “But more than anything I want them to play smart. I tell them all the time, no matter how fast you are, you can’t run in the wrong direction.”

Cooper expects Canyon Springs to be strong defensively. Led by Eddie Smith IV, an All-Sun preseason team selection at linebacker, the unit surrendered less than 15 points a game in six contests last year.

“Eddie is the leader of our defense,” Cooper said. “He’s a guy who is always around the football. He find it and makes the play.”

The other leaders of the defense include returning players Ronnie Glover (5-foot-10, 195-pounds) at defensive line and Marquan Webster (5-foot-7, 155-pounds) in the secondary.

Offensively, senior wide receiver Trey Evans (5-foot-11, 180-pounds) reminds Cooper of Pioneer-great Juron Criner, the state’s single season receiving leader who is at the University of Arizona.

In the backfield, senior tailback Malik Brown rushed for 411 yards and six touchdowns last year. DeVonte Howard and Jamal Martin are even in the battle to start at quarterback, Cooper said.

On the line, senior Galyn Graham (6-foot-3, 275-pounds) could win up being the Pioneers’ top Division I prospect, the coach said.