Quarterback Tyler Bruggman is back at Brophy College Prep, and that's a big reason why we have tabbed the Broncos as Arizona's top team for 2012.
Photo by Doug James
11-1
Head coach: Scooter Molander
Team previewIt's hard not to like this year's Brophy squad. It returns Washington State-bound quarterback
Tyler Bruggman along with one of the state's most dangerous offensive weapons in speedster
Devon Allen. With
Andrew Curtis,
Robert Felf and
Joe Nauert, the team's linebacking unit should be the best around. An interstate showdown with Santa Margarita (Calif.) will be one of the state's most significant games in years, insofar as a victory would be a major statement for Arizona football on the national scene. Search for Brophy College Prep players on the
2011 Arizona All-Section football teams list.
2. Centennial (Peoria)2011 finish: 11-2
Head coach: Richard Taylor
Team previewLast season, Centennial lost two games by a combined eight points. This fall, it has the talent to potentially go undefeated.
Marcus Farria, truly a physical specimen, will star at defensive end while running back
Jalen Ortiz will carry the offense. Transfer
Trevon Grant threw for more than 2,300 yards last season at Phoenix North Canyon. If he performs anywhere near that level in 2012, expect to see Centennial playing for a state title. Centennial ranks No. 2 on our
Arizona's Top 10 most consistent football programs list.
3. Hamilton (Chandler)2011 finish: 13-1
Head coach: Steve Belles
Team previewOnce again, Hamilton will be strong in the trenches, led by junior tackle
Casey Tucker, who has an early commitment in to USC. Fellow junior
Qualen Cunningham, a defensive end, is also a national recruit. Defensive back
Cole Luke will provide senior leadership to the defense. Quarterback
Allen Thigpen could be the difference-maker for this Hamilton squad. Hamilton tops our June, 2011 list of the
Top 10 Arizona football dynasties.
4. Desert Vista (Phoenix)2011 finish: 13-1
Head coach: Dan Hinds
Team previewThe reigning Division I champion, Desert Vista certainly has holes to fill, thanks to the graduation of a whopping 36 seniors. But head coach Dan Hinds and staff have some pieces to work with, including running backs
Jarek Hilgers and
Kaleb Germinaro, the team's leading returning rushers. Defensive back
Nick Farina and defensive end
Lorenzo Melvin are two of the team's top players on the defense. Desert Vista sits atop our list of
Arizona state football champions for the past 10 years.
5. Chandler2011 finish: 8-4
Head coach: Shaun Aguano
Team previewQuarterback
Darell Garretson returns for Chandler this fall, but keep an eye on sophomore
Bryce Perkins, who already has several big-time offers. Having two capable quarterback is a luxury for head coach Shaun Aguano. Tight end
Patrick Baldenegro, a 6-foot-5 target, will see his share of passes. Chandler lost narrowly to crosstown rival Hamilton during the regular season, but was shut out 28-0 in the playoffs. It will need a dynamic offense as well as a physical defense to overcome that hump this season. Chandler will need to replace four of the players from the list of
every Class of 2011 Arizona Division 1 signee.
