Looking at the past, present and future of high school football in the Grand Canyon State.
Staff Report
MaxPreps.com
Best Player: Devon Kennard, Sr., RB/DE, Desert Vista
This one was pretty easy. Not only is Kennard the top talent in Arizona, he is widely regarded as one of the top college prospects in the nation. Kennard earned MaxPreps All-America honors as a junior after racking up 24 sacks and helping Desert Vista earn a spot in the state championship game. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound specimen doubles as a running back. Returning state leaders - Passing: Hayden Eagar (Round Valley) 246 of 444 for 3,612 yards and 34 TDs; Rushing: Shad Bride (St. John's) 2,100 yards, 40 touchdowns.
Best All-Time Player: Terrell Suggs, RB/DE, Chandler Hamilton
It’s tough to top Minnesota Viking great Randall McDaniel’s 10 trips to the Pro Bowl as far as career resumes go, but the Terrell Suggs story is still being written. As a senior at Hamilton High School, Suggs rushed for 2,274 yards and 26 touchdowns, earning first team All-State honors. At Arizona State he transitioned to the defensive end position and broke school records with 65.5 tackles for loss and 44 sacks. Suggs has earned Pro Bowl recognition twice in five seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.
2008 Must See: Brophy College Prep vs. Bishop Gorman (Nev.)
Defending state champions from Arizona and Nevada meet Aug. 23 at the University of Phoenix Stadium, home of the NFL’s Cardinals. Brophy caught fire in early October last fall, winning its final eight games and the 5A Division I state title. Bishop Gorman was dominant from start to finish in 2007, beating teams from five different states en route to a 14-0 record. The Gaels could be an emerging national power.
On The Throne: Peoria Centennial
Centennial opened its doors in 1990 and has steadily developed into a state power under head coach Richard Taylor. The Coyotes have played in three-straight state championship games with back-to-back titles in 5A Division II in 2006 and 2007. Centennial is 60-7 since 2003.
Best Rivalry: Brophy College Prep vs. Chandler Hamilton
They don’t play in the same league, but the Broncos and Huskies have managed to meet a total of three times over the past three seasons and will do so again Sept. 5. Brophy College Prep beat Hamilton for the 5A Division I title in 2005. Last fall, Hamilton crushed Prep 29-6 in late August, but lost the rematch in the state semifinals as the Broncos went on to win their second title in three years. The two schools have combined to win the last five state championships in Arizona’s largest classification.
Future Star: Deche’ Milburn, Jr., WR/DB, Sierra Vista Buena
Milburn was a bright spot for Buena despite a 3-7 season, earning All-Region honors at defensive back. Milburn has upped his stock considerably on the camp and combine circuit this summer, earning MVP honors at the Ultimate 100 Sophomores event in Carson, Calif.
Fun Fact
Lake Havasu senior Brent Michaels turned in one of the nation’s best rushing performances of 2007. Against Agua Fria on Sept. 28, the 6-foot, 227-pound back carried 28 times for a state record 470 yards and six touchdowns. Michaels, who finished the season with 1,939 yards and 24 touchdowns, scored on runs of 73, 51, 45, 4, 82 and 79 yards in that game.
MaxPreps Preseason All-State Team
WR – Drew Terrell, Hamilton
WR – Adam Hall, Palo Verde
WR – JJ Holliday, Santa Rita
TE – Max Smith, Saguaro
OL – Doug Zisman, Shadow Mountain
OL – Matt Wilson, Payson
OL – Kody Koebensky, Saguaro
OL – Chris Putton, Cactus
OL – Taylor Lewan, Chaparral
QB – Kevin Yost, Mountain Ridge
QB – Matt Inman, Yuma Catholic
RB – Shane McCullen, Apache Junction
RB – Jamal Miles, Peoria
RB – Brent Michaels, Lake Havasu
ATH – Bryce Lamb, Chandler
K – Nick Marshall, Canyon Del Oro
DL – Devon Kennard, Phoenix Desert Vista
DL – Mike Tree, Brophy
DL – Corey Adams, Saguaro
DL – Craig Roh, Chaparral
LB – Ryan Reardon, Notre Dame
LB – Anthony Rose, Marcos De Niza
LB – Rodney Reagans, Chandler
LB – Anthony Jones, Hamilton
LB – Jake Fischer, Ironwood Ridge
DB –Alex Salas, Mesa Mountain View
DB – Dylan Borys, Paradise Valley
DB – Andy Wilder, Notre Dame
DB – Ryan Milus, Hamilton
P – Stacy Berg, Winslow
