4A is up for grabs here in 2022, and there’s a handful of teams that need some more respect as we enter the fall. Take a look at 5 teams in 4A that could make some noise:
Prescott
Prescott has a ton of potential to have a very productive year in 4A. They return the Grand Canyon Region POY in ATH Cody Leopold
, as well as other impressive standouts like WR Jake Hilton
, OL/LB Landen Francis
, LB Cody Hanna
, and multiple others. They will look for numerous players to step up including the addition of ATH Levi VanDyke
who has looked promising thus far this offseason. They come off an 8-4 season which included a playoff win against rival Bradshaw and look to have all the necessary tools around them to compete once again.
Yuma Catholic
Yuma Catholic makes the jump to 4A from 3A after being so explosive and successful throughout the years. They are definitely not a team that will lay down and get ran over from bumping up in competition. They have numerous big time prospects such as the 2024 DE Jaxson Jones
who is a legitimate D1 talent, and standout QB Richard Stallworth
who has continued to put up some of the best numbers in the state for two years in a row. Jarred Marquez
at LB will have a massive role on that stout defense as things get rolling as well, and Yuma Catholic could be up to something here in 2022.
ALA Gilbert North
Another 3A powerhouse that got bumped to to 4A that I believe is loaded with tools and could actually make a run for that 4A state title. They’re led by dual-threat QB and Northern Arizona commit Adam Damante
who is absolutely dangerous on the ground given his top end speed, and has also proven to be able to sit back and pick apart defense. 2024 WR Brandon Phelps
has continued to emerge as on of the top 2024 WR’s in the state, as that Damante-Phelps connection will be nasty here in 2022. A very well rounded team on both sides of the ball overall.
AZ College Prep
ACP has some studs over there on coach Blueford’s squad. QB/ATH Jayden Diaz
has proven to be a very dynamic athlete and can excel from multiple dimensions of the game, and he should be entering his senior season with a big chip on his shoulder. Cayden Gibson
will return for his Jr. season after coming off an impressive sophomore campaign, and RB Biruk Stepehens could also be a player that could easily bust loose and make a statement early for ACP. Overall, definitely a sneaky team that holds potential.
Apache Junction
AJHS could be another sneaky team to make something happen. They come off a 7-3 season from 2021 and will retain QB and playmaker Gavin Limongello
. Limongello is a highlight reel alone, frequently extending plays and busting off long runs for TD’s and I don’t expect that to change this season. Standout DB Dane Fidler
(who just landed a PWO from Villanova) will also have a big role to fill on that AJ defense.
