This is part of the countdown to the opening week of the Arizona Interscholastic Association high school football season with two region previews a day. The schools in 1A, 2A and 3A open their seasons on Aug. 17-19. The 6A, 5A and 4A schools open on Aug. 25.
We call these 2-a-days.
4A Desert Sky Region
The teams: Arcadia, Arizona College Prep, Combs, Desert Sunrise, Mesquite, Vista Grande.
The favorite: Arizona College Prep. This should be the year for Myron Blueford’s program to really break through and make some noise at state.
The challenger: Mesquite. Should be much improved on defense with a solid front and guys who can cover.
The dark horse: Arcadia. This team has some dynamic players and a seasoned QB in Braylen Rooney, who can sling it.
Predicted order of finish: 1. Arizona College Prep; 2. Mesquite; 3. Arcadia; 4. Vista Grande; 5. Desert Sunrise; 6. Combs.
Key players: Cayden Gibson, ACP, DE, Sr.; Jaxon Castro, ACP, QB; Jake Busot, ACP, WR; T.D. Vanderah, ACP, S; Mason Kintner, ACP, S; Karambir Singh, ACP, OL, Sr.; Gabe Byard, ACP, OL, Jr.; Ronan Saloman, ACP, Sr.; Jamar Trotter, Mesquite, DE/TE, Sr.; J.D. Cea, Mesquite, LB/WR, Sr.; Jaylen Coleman, Mesquite, OLB, Sr.; Jiah McClure, Mesquite, DE, Sr.; Carter Pruitt, Arcadia, S; Brady Forst, Arcadia, WR; Khary Beler, Arcadia, OL/DL; Braylen Rooney, Arcadia, QB; Vinnie Sanchez, Desert Sunrise, QB, So.; KyJuan McCutcheon, Desert Sunrise, WR; Ronnie Evans, Desert Sunrise, RB; Chase Theabold, Combs, WR/FS, Sr.; Alex Araujo, Combs, OL/DL, Sr.; Braiden Howard, Combs, RB/LB, Sr.; Izaak Jeffcoat, Combs, RB/LB, Jr.
Key date: Sept. 22 – By Week 5, Arizona College Prep will have a pretty good gauge on its season with a tough road trip to Yuma Catholic.
4A East Sky Region
The teams: Apache Junction, Eastmark, Marcos de Niza, Poston Butte, Snowflake.
The favorite: Snowflake. The Lobos will rely on a big, deep line group on both sides of the ball to control tempo and keep teams from scoring.
The challenger: Eastmark. Coach Scooter Molander left the program strong after taking the Desert Vista job after leading the team to the 3A state title.
The dark horse: Marcos de Niza. Coming off a nine-win season, the Padres have lots of confidence behind talented QB Braesen Leon.
Predicted order of finish: 1. Snowflake; 2. Eastmark; 3. Marcos de Niza; 4. Poston Butte; 5. Apache Junction.
Key players: Ramar Williams, Eastmark, DL, Sr.; Coleman Samples, Eastmark, RB, Sr.; Jaxon Bailey, Eastmark, WR, Sr.; Jett McCray, Snowflake, RB, Sr.; Brennan Bryant, Snowflake, QB, Sr.; Payton Papa, Snowflake, WR, Sr.; Mason Reidhead, Snowflake, OL, Sr.; McRea Hunt, Snowflake, OL, Sr.; Cody Flake, Snowflake, OL, Jr.; Ethan Christiensen, Snowflake, OL, Jr.; Ezra Baum, Snowflake, WR, Jr.; Braesen Leon, Marcos de Niza, QB, Sr.; Jamari Turner, Marcos de Niza, WR/RB, Sr.; Ja’Khi Robertson, Poston Butte, SS/RB, Sr.; Michael Whitman, Poston Butte, LB/RB, Sr.; Terraude Kisto, Poston Butte, FS, Sr.; Casey William-Gonzalez, Poston Butte, C, Sr.; Aiden Deleon, Apache Junction, QB, Jr.; Dennis Church, Apache Junction, WR, Sr.; Ben Valenzuela, Apache Junction, WR, Sr.; Micah Pape, Apache Junction, OL, Sr.; Gage Nitso, Apache Junction, OL, Jr.; Mikey Romero, Apache Junction, DE, Sr.; Danny Cardenas, Apache Junction, DT, Sr.
Key date: Oct. 20 – This will be the third tough region game in a row for Snowflake, which will be playing at Eastmark.
ARIZONA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL 2-A-DAYS: 4A DESERT SKY, EAST SKY REGIONS
