The Sonoraville Phoenix made program history last season as they won a state playoff game for the first time ever. They’re back in 2016 to prove that wasn’t a one-hit wonder.
The Phoenix enter this season no longer just hoping to earn a playoff berth. After three straight trips to the postseason, that’s now what they expect. And once they get there, they want to do some damage.
Sonoraville coach Jim Kremer, who is headed into his third season at the helm for the Phoenix, said the culture of expected success for the team has certainly grown in the past few years, but they’ve got to continue to have the same hunger and drive to get better.
“I’m anxious to see where our program is this season,” said Kremer. “We’ve got to replace a lot of starters from last year’s team so it remains to be seen how much this team can grow. But they’ve had success at the middle school and JV level, and our kids have definitely grown in confidence the last few years. You can tell it’s more important to the kids to have success.
“We’ve still got a ways to go. Our expectations are high, but we’re focused and looking only toward that first game. We’ve got to have that mindset and try to improve every week.”
As Kremer said, the Phoenix have to replace a big and talented senior class from last year’s team that led the program to three straight playoff berths, which is a place they have never been prior, along with 18 total wins in that span — a high total considering the program won just 21 games in its first seven seasons of existence.
Kremer said he knows replacing that group will be tough, but he’s encouraged by the legacy they left behind for the next wave of Phoenix players coming behind them.
“Replacing guys like Cody (Long), Kenny (Cooper), Jonathan (Novicki), Austin (Carter), Tarik (Holmes) just to name a few is going to be difficult, but they’ve paved the way for the younger kids,” said Kremer. “I do think we’ve got some kids ready to step up. What I want our kids now to know is that that group knew what they had to do to be successful. They never missed a practice or workout or meeting. That’s what it takes. You’ve got to be highly dedicated, show up and work hard. We can’t cut corners. We’ve got to play with that team concept and have great chemistry to play at the highest level we can.”
The Phoenix are counting on junior Patrick Moore to step in for departed three-year starter Long at quarterback, and the signal-caller will have a big offensive line in front of him anchored by big tackles Parker McBurnett and Blake Goble and various weapons at the skill positions. Junior Tristan Key will lead the way at running back with several others getting their share of carries, including Trenton Daniel, who the Phoenix will use at various positions on the field. The receiver group is deep with Camron Keith, Bailey Reece, Bryce Waters and Stone Logan just a few of the names that will be called this season, and big tight end and H-backs Sherrod Agee, Ryan McCallion and Paul Hollander should help in the run and pass game.
Over on the defensive side, McCallion and Agee are talent- ed linebackers to keep an eye on with Morgan Holt, who set the single-season record for tackles last year, providing more playmaking ability at outside linebacker. Bruce Jennings returns with lots of experience from last year on the defensive line, which is another deep group, and Tate Moore should provide leadership in the secondary.
Kevin Villatoro will handle both the kicking and punting duties after a stellar junior season in 2015 that has gained him attention from several college programs. Kremer said that should be one of the team’s strengths.
“Kevin is one of the top kickers in the state,” said Kremer. “If we put the emphasis on it that we can, I feel like we could win that phase in every game.
“Offensively, Patrick is a quarterback that the kids respect. He possesses a quiet leadership, and I expect him to have success. For us to be as good as we can be, we need to win on the offensive and defensive lines. That line of scrimmage will determine how good we are. We’ve got some big country boys. We’ve just got to get them playing tougher and together as a unit.”