Arizona football players engage in signing day activities

By Jason P. Skoda Jan 26, 2011, 12:29pm

AIA to release football schedule in February; Mountain View job re-opens.

Scottsdale Saguaro senior Cyrus Hobbi, a 6-foot-4, 265-pound guard, is set to announce his decision on Friday at 1 p.m. The state's second-rated offensive lineman is expected to choose between Arizona State, USC and UCLA. ... Phoenix Mountain Pointe defensive end J.R. Plote chose South Dakota State over Air Force and New Mexico State.

MOUNTAIN VIEW JOB IS OPEN AGAIN
The Mountain View (Mesa) head football position has been re-opened and re-posted on the Arizona Interscholastic Association Web site.

Several reports said the initial interview process led to two out-of-state candidates, but the financial package was not big enough to lure either coach to Arizona. It forced the process to replace Tom Joseph to be re-booted, but without new applicants. Athletic director Shaun Rustad still had plenty of candidates to choose from amongst the initial candidates.

The Toros made the postseason in 2010 but had their first losing season so Joseph was let go. In his nine seasons at Mountain View, Joseph, since hired by Tempe Corona del Sol, won a state title in 2002, made three championship game appearances, won six region titles and finished with a record of 92-23 (.800).

Other openings needing to be filled are at Gilbert Mesquite and Phoenix St. Mary's, with the latter coming open after Eddy Zubey left for Gilbert Higley.



FOOTBALL SCHEDULE WILL BE OUT ON FEB. 23
The AIA will release the football schedules for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons, created by a computer based on proximity and school size, on Feb. 23. Schools get to pick two of the 10 games while the rest will be generated by the computer. Internal reviews of the schedules are held on Feb. 2 and then will be presented to the Executive Board on Feb. 22.