SEASON OUTLOOK
This year's Firebirds are focused on living up to the expectations that last year's team set.
Photo by Chris Pondy
:
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas). The Gaels are ranked No. 10 in the preseason rankings and on Aug. 20, the Nevada champs will take on Chaparral. Gorman plays more of a punishing style than Chaparral so look for a good matchup of different styles. Also of note, the game was supposed to be played at Northern Arizona University's Walkup Skydome, but that venue will not be available. A replacement venue has not been selected yet, Ragle said.
Question Mark:
The offensive line is replacing three Division-I recruits. Can the new group give the skill players enough time and space to do what they do best? Also, the defense has a host of new names. Will that group be able to jell?
Local look:
Centennial (Peoria), which Chaparral beat 32-17 in the title game, will once again be solid. So will Marcos de Niza (Tempe). Hamilton, the defending 5A-I champion, may be the only in-state team on par with Chaparral.
Overall outlook: This team will put up points. Lots of points. Offensive coordinator Dave Huffine, who had set the scoring record at Moon Valley before breaking it last season at Chaparral, has an absurd amount of weapons and those weapons will destroy many defenses. It's hard to see an in-state team beating Chaparral, as the closest contest last year was 13 points. The Gorman game is a toss-up, but Chaparral is the state title favorite.
Coach quote: "We're going into year No. 5. If you are not expecting to compete for state titles by year No. 5, you're not doing the right things. From the time we got here it was already a good program in contention for state titles. The bar has been set: To go and compete for state titles every year. With our quarterback back for his senior year and one of the best receivers in the country and a beast running back, plus a cast of skill kids, our expectations are that we better be there at the end."
- Charlie Ragle
