As football kickoff inches closer around the country, MaxPreps forecasts the top five teams in the state of Arizona for the 2009 season.
{VIDEO_b246dd09-b263-447b-a76b-b14c6e586120,floatRightWithBar}1. Centennial (Peoria)
With eight of the top 50 seniors in the state, according to Arizona Republic’s Richard Obert, the Coyotes (15-0 last year, 5A state champions) are the obvious pick here. Centennial returns a whopping 13 starters to a team that outscored foes 571-88 last year. The keys of the Coyotes’ high-scoring machine belong to returning quarterback Dane McFarland, who threw for 1,668 yards last year. Talented Anthony Hughes will get the bulk of the carries behind the team’s true strength, an enormous and talented offensive line anchored by Nick Rowland (6-foot-5, 305 pounds) and Dylan Lusk (6-2, 305). Others on Obert’s Top 50 list were linebackers Austin Arias (6-1, 225, UNLV commit) and Austin Garday (6-0, 205), cornerback/receiver Kyle Coffey (5-9, 175), Hughes, McFarland and lineman Junior Nieves (6-3, 305). Centennial is 74-7 the last six seasons under coach Richard Taylor. “(Taylor) has had a lot of great teams but this one is very likely the best,” Obert said. “He told me the only thing that can hold them back is complacency.”
2. Hamilton (Chandler)
The Huskies return eight starters from a 13-1 team last year including perhaps the best incoming junior lineman in the country Christian Westerman (6-5, 288). Throw in the state’s top safety, Stanford-bound Devon Carrington, and one of its best running backs Zach Bauman (5-9, 200) and coach Steve Belles’ squad is loaded again. The one big question is at quarterback. Just like Centennial, Hamilton is 77-6 over the last six seasons. “It’s a factory at Hamilton,” Obert said. “They never have a down year.”
3. Mountain View (Mesa)
There’s lots to like about the Toros but at the top of the list according to Obert is at the key position, quarterback. Brad Heap (6-3, 215) is the brother of NFL tight end Todd Heap and though last year he backed up now graduated Blake Decker (1,767 yards, 19 touchdowns) the talented senior is ready for a big season. Brad Heap threw for 395 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions relieving an injured Decker last year. “He’s a Tim Tebow type,” Ebert said. “He can do it all. All the scouts want to make him a tight end like his brother but he’s sticking to his guns and remaining a quarterback.” Jacom Brimhall is small (5-7, 165) but his production was huge last year (1,607 yards rushing, 16 TDs). Kicker Matt Gulbrandsen is another major weapon.
4. Brophy College Prep (Phoenix)
The Broncos (14-1) lost eight starters to their vaunted defense which gave up just 11.1 points per game last year, but they return one of the state’s top running backs in Max Leonesio (6-1, 185). Tight end A.J. Steimel (6-3, 235) and center Hank Jenkins (6-1, 260) are two of the best in the region but Brophy, which has gone a remarkable 83-4 the last six seasons, might need to rely on sophomore Chase Knox as its starting quarterback. Knox made quite a name for himself while leading a team to the Little League World Series.
5. Basha (Chandler)
The Bears went just 6-5 last year, but have been aided greatly by three impact transfers, including talented tailback Bobby Calvin. “He’s a big-time player,” Obert said. The team’s top returning players are linebacker Jared Jones (6-2, 200) and dual-threat quarterback Mike Benjamin (6-0, 175). “They have tremendous receivers, a good defense and probably the most depth they’ve ever had on the offensive line,” Obert said.
Others considered: Chaparral (Scottsdale) 12-2, Marcos de Niza (Tempe) 11-2, Red Mountain (Mesa) 7-6, Saguaro (Scottsdale) 14-0.
