Chaparral brings back a glut of skill players after a spectacular 14-0 season.
Photo by Chris Pondy
Chaparral's 2011 team is generally referred to as likely better, or maybe just as good, as the 2010 squad.
So to put that in other words, the 2011 team is referred to as likely better, or maybe just as good,
as the highest scoring team in Arizona history and a 14-0 state champion.
Last year was magical in Scottsdale and this year is expected to feature even more fireworks.
A pair of Top 100 recruits in quarterback
Connor Brewer and wide receiver
Davonte Neal are the biggest names, and a supporting cast of spectacular skill players also returns.
What sometimes gets lost when a team has a high-octane offense is the defense, and Chaparral has reason to believe it can punish opponents on that side of the ball as well. Coach Charlie Ragle has a defensive background and has a defensive line that should cause major issues for opponents. That defensive line is likely to include transfer 6-foot-4, 250-pound behemoth
Jarvis Lewis and first-year football player
Dylan Cousins.
But make no mistake: Chaparral's offense will be the headline-grabber. Last year the Firebirds outscored the opposition 727-130. Depth abounds in the skill positions and teams will have to try and keep up with the blazing speed from all angles.
Chaparral will be replacing three offensive linemen who left with scholarships, including Oregon signee Andre Yruretagoyena. If the new guys on the line can give Brewer enough time and space to get the ball to Neal, running back
Lucas Petrullo and others, it should be a romp once again in the Grand Canyon State.
Chaparral is the No. 2 team in the Top 10 Arizona Football Dynasties list, according to the Freeman Rankings.
Of course, before the Arizona schedule starts, Chaparral will get tested in the first week by No. 10 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) in the Sollenberger Classic, which pits the Arizona champ against the Nevada champ.
Local look: "These guys are going to be loaded, they should be really good again. I think their offense will be better than or as good as last year. They've got a great quarterback, a great receiving core and a good running back who has a nose
for the end zone. They have work to do and Ragle will make sure they don't take anything for granted and he’ll have them working hard. He always has had a great offseason program. The only question mark is defense and shoring up scenarios. They'll have to fill some offensive line spots too."
- Richard Obert, Arizona Republic
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