Photo by Mitchell Reibel
Ka'Deem Carey, Canyon del Oro
It's hard to focus on anything else in Arizona's 4A ranks when Canyon del Oro (Tucson) running back Ka'Deem Carey is still taking hand-offs and Saguaro (Scottsdale) is trotting out Division I prospects. But a few quarterbacks demand attention this season.
In 4A Division I, dual-threat Teddy Ruben sparks Saguaro's hopes for its fourth title in five years. Ruben is the younger brother of former Sabercats quarterback Tim Ruben, who led Saguaro to two state championships. Teddy was only 5-foot-8, 140 pounds when last season ended, but he is dangerous on the run and is a capable thrower.
More traditional slingers to watch in the 4A-I ranks are Cienega (Vail) senior Jordan Mills and Apollo (Glendale) Jon Brown. Mills passed for 2,009 yards and 22 touchdowns last season with a completion percentage just a shade under 64 percent. Brown threw for 2,295 yards and 25 TDs as a sophomore.
"That kid is really impressive," CDO coach Dustin Peace said of Brown. "He makes them a dangerous team."
Not to be outdone, the 4A-II ranks also sport some superlative signal callers. Seniors Alex Buya and Tom Ross give Coronado (Scottsdale) and Williams Field (Gilbert) hopes to advance beyond lat season’s round of 16, and Washington (Phoenix) Devonte Smythe has the Rams thinking playoffs in the rugged Black Canyon Region.
"There are definitely some solid kids at that position," said Williams Field coach Steve Campbell, who should know after playing the position at Arizona State from 1994-98.
Here’s a preview of what to look for in the 2010 4A-I and 4A-II seasons.
4A-I favorite
Canyon de Oro: Senior running back Ka’Deem Carey is the most exciting player in the state, and is capable of changing games all by himself. The Dorados also return standout offensive lineman Jesse Caldwell, who moves to center, and nose guard David Catalano, while adding linebacker Blake Martinez, who starred at Tucson Santa Rita last year. That makes CDO the team to beat, until proven otherwise.
4A-I top contenders
Saguaro: On the heels of three-straight 4A-I state championships, the Sabercats played a ton of underclassmen last season and "only" made it to the state semifinals. There is plenty of Division I talent on this team and the Cats are itching for a rematch with Canyon del Oro. They’ll get it Oct. 1 at Saguaro in what could be a title-game preview.
Cienega: The Bobcats often get overlooked in the state championship discussion, but a semifinal berth last season is a feat that could easily be improved upon this season with quarterback Jordan Mills and running back Willie Willis back in the fold. Cienega put a serious scare into CDO in the first half of the semis before unraveling in the third quarter.
Sabino (Tucson): The Sabercats lost a glut of big-time performers from last season, but quarterback Nathan Brooks returns and the numbers and depth are very good in this program. Don’t expect much of a fall-off from last season’s state championship game berth. Coach Jay Campos doesn’t.
Apollo: Quarterback Jon Brown (2,295 yards, 25 TDs) is back from last season's state quarterfinalist. So are receivers David Gonzales and Chrisdeon Ayiyi (1,386 yards, 15 TDs combined). The Hawks put up more points on CDO than any team last season (35). This club bears watching.
4A-I darkhorses
Cactus Shadows (Cave Creek)Cave Creek Cactus Shadows: The Falcons’ 2009 success was tied to great players, most notably quarterback Dillon Classen, who threw for 2,550 yards and a gaudy 37 touchdowns. But the biggest overall reason this program wins is coach Chad DeGrenier. After flirting with leaving, DeGrenier is back. The guess here? The Falcons will be, too.
Agua Fria (Avondale): The Owls will have a junior-laden line and a green linebacking corps, but tailbacks Leandre Vaughan and Keith Huckaby return. If the line matures quickly, Agua Fria could make some noise.
Bradshaw Mountain (Prescott Valley): Tyler Audsley threw for 1,088 yards as a sophomore and the Bears made the quarterfinals with a young lineup. That experience could pay dividends this year.
Peoria: Linebacker Dylan Contreras is one of the best in the 4A ranks and quarterback Caleb Gillispie returns for his senior season. The Panthers are a perennial playoff threat under coach Doug Clapp. This season is no different.
4A-II favorite
Cactus (Glendale): The defending champs boast a huge and talented offensive line, led by tackle Ryan Nowicki, (6-5, 285), junior guard Denzell Dotson (6-2, 315) and senior Richie Monrial (6-4, 280), who took last year off to focus on baseball. The Cobras also return second-leading rusher Lashunn Norris (822 yards, 11 per carry), who will benefit from a larger workload. The sum of these parts? Likely another state title.
4A-II top contenders
Notre Dame Prep (Scottsdale): With 38 returning lettermen and 18 returning starters, the Saints have lofty expectations. New quarterback Jordan Gehrke has impressed in camp but will need to adjust to coach Scot Bemis’ demanding system. Defensive lineman/tight end Peter Igras has a non-stop motor and D-I skills while safety/receiver Brian Poupore is a key contributor.
Mingus (Cottonwood): With quarterback Nick Alred, the Grand Canyon Region player of the year, back in the fold, the Marauders have big plans. Fullback/free safety Juan Gonzalez, a potential D-I safety, and Z-back Carson Sandoval give depth to those hopes. Mingus always gets strong line play and coach Bob Young is rarely outwitted.
Liberty (Peoria): The Lions made quite a showing in their first season with seniors, rolling to an undefeated regular season for before bowing out to Tucson Palo Verde in the playoffs. A 4A powerhouse is brewing on the west side.
Palo Verde (Tucson): The Titans run a full-house backfield and rarely show up in the summer passing leagues so opponents never know what to expect or how to prepare. Palo Verde lost its coach when Todd Mayfield retired after his father passed away, but the Titans have been a threat every season in 4A-II, advancing to the first round once, the quarters twice, the semis once and winning the title in 2005.
Greenway (Phoenix): Capable coach Mike Brown, who always had his team primed for the playoffs, resigned after the season. But the Demons started a host of fresh faces last season who gained valuable experience. Greenway could give Cactus a run in the Black Canyon Region.
4A-II darkhorses
Williams Field: Quarterback Tom Ross (1,669 yards, 17 TDs) is a capable signal caller, and J.D. Layton had more receptions (36) than any receiver on the team last season. How the Black Hawks defense and young, but bulky offensive line develop could determine the course of the season.
Santa Rita (Tucson)Tucson Santa Rita: Legendary coach Jeff Scurran has moved on, but the system is in place for a solid program. The Eagles will have to overcome more than graduation losses, though, after star linebacker Blake Martinez transferred to CDO.
Amphitheater (Tucson): The dean of Arizona coaches, Vern Friedli, took the Panthers to the state quarterfinals last season behind a staunch defense. Leading tackler Clarence Williams (LB) and a strong supporting cast returns on that side of the ball.
10 players worth watching
Alex Buya, Sr., QB, Scottsdale Coronado; John Brown, Jr., QB, Glendale Apollo; Brock Haman, Sr., DE, Scottsdale Saguaro; Peter Igras, Sr., DL, Scottsdale Notre Dame; Ryan Nowicki, Sr., OL, Glendale Cactus; Willie Willis, Sr., RB, Vail Cienega; Ka’Deem Carey, Sr., RB, Oro Valley Canyon del Oro; Tyler Bergsten, Sr., TE, Phoenix Greenway; Dylan Contreras, Sr., LB, Peoria; Juan Gonzalez, Jr., DB, Cottonwood Mingus.
Five things we like
1. The balance in 4A-II: All five regions boast a legitimate title contender, although Glendale Cactus may not agree.
2. The Canyon del Oro-Saguaro rivalry: They’re two hours apart, but the Dorados and Sabercats have developed a healthy dislike for one another after multiple meetings over the past two seasons, most of them with state championship implications. The next reunion date is Oct. 1 at Saguaro.
3. Ka’Deem Carey: We know. We already mentioned him above. Twice. But seriously, go see this kid play when he comes to your neck of the woods. Or wait until he starts carrying the ball for the University of Arizona. Electric. Elusive. Dynamic. The superlatives all fall short of the live experience.
4. The East Sky Region: Four teams were in this tightly contested region race until the bitter end, making it the most balanced yet unpredictable region in the conference. This season, we’re predicting more of the same.
5. 4A championship games in The Old Pueblo: Tucson schools CDO, Sabino and Santa Rita all made it to the state title games last season. It was nice that their fans didn’t have to travel two hours to watch them play.
REGION PREDICTIONS
Black Canyon
Champ: Cactus
Top contender: Phoenix Greenway
Desert Sky
Champ: Saguaro
Top contender: Cactus Shadows
East Sky
Champ: Notre Dame
Top contenders: Williams Field, Coronado, Phoenix Arcadia
Gila
Champ: Tucson Palo Verde
Top contender: Tucson Santa Rita
Grand Canyon
Champ: Mingus
Top contender: Mohave
Kino
Champ: Cienega
Top contenders: Tucson Desert View, Nogales
Sonoran
Champ: Canyon del Oro
Top contender: Sabino
Skyline
Champ: Peoria Liberty
Top contender: Buckeye
West Valley
Champ: Peoria
Top contenders: Bradshaw Mountain, Agua Fria
Western Sky
Champ: Apollo
Top contenders: Glendale Independence, Prescott
Craig Morgan is a freelance writer who has covered professional, college and high school sports in the Phoenix area for the past 18 years. He currently serves as the Phoenix correspondent for CBSSports.com, covering the Arizona Cardinals and other local teams. He also writes a weekly column and other features for The Arizona Republic. You can reach him at craig@wordsmithonline.com.