Playmakers galore
No. 1 AWC has plenty of weapons on offense, new QB from ASU
The Arizona Western football team was eighth in the NJCAA and first in the Western States Football League in points per game at 42.2 last season. And yet, the upside and experience of this year’s offense may prove to surpass the production of the 2016 group.
The Matadors, who lost in the NJCAA National Championship to Garden City last December, often relied on their defense for short fields and easy scores last season. The defense allowed 14 points or fewer in nine of their 12 games and finished second in the nation in points (9.4) and yards per game (166.5).
While the defense was stellar all season long, the offensive players weren’t exactly slouches for the 11-1 team. The Matadors ran the ball on 70 percent of plays and had the country’s sixth-best rushing offense. A skilled core of returners and transfers at the skill positions on this high-upside AWC offense is primed to fly all over the field, as long as they can mesh in a new situation for most in junior-college football. A look at the offense for the Matadors, who begin the 2017 season Saturday at Eastern Arizona:
Quarterbacks
The reason for AWC coach Tom Minnick’s enthusiasm about the offense is primarily because of the new man under center.
Redshirt sophomore Bryce Perkins transferred to Arizona Western in May from Arizona State. Perkins suffered a neck injury in an August 2016 practice and ended up missing the season. The former Chandler High School star is fully healthy and “ready to go,” according to Minnick.
Perkins, who will be the starter for the seasonopener Saturday at Eastern Arizona, is a dual-threat quarterback, which allows for Minnick and offensive coordinator Michael Orthmann to get more creative with the playbook.
“He’s doing a nice job for us and adds that element of being able to run, as well as throw,” Minnick said after Tuesday’s practice. “But he’s a great thrower, too. He’s very accurate. He’s
a leader. He’s everything you’re looking for (in) a quarterback.”
Perkins’ career at Chandler was nothing short of phenomenal. In two years as a starter, he threw for 5,245 yards, 70 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, while adding 1,505 rushing yards and 23 scores on the ground. In his senior season, he threw 46 TDs and led the Wolves to a 28-7 win against Hamilton in the 2014 Division I State Championship.
“He’s a great leader, great kid,” Minnick said. “That’s the most important thing out of anything, having a quarterback that’s a great kid, listens, smart.”
Minnick does not envision Perkins’ presence altering the offense too much, saying the run-pass ratio will still be about 50-50.
Jack Colletto, a freshman from Camas, Wash., will serve as the backup. Redshirt freshman Bailey Arvizo, from Cibola, and redshirt sophomore Connor Kaegi are in the mix for third-string.
Running backs
There is no question as to who will be the Matadors’ workhorse this year.
Sophomore Greg Bell III earned All-American status in 2016 after rushing for 1,187 rushing yards, which was third in the NJCAA.
Bell is the No. 3 running back and No. 48 overall JuCo prospect in the nation, according to 247Sports. He announced his commitment to Louisville on Aug. 23.
“He always does a great job,” Minnick said. “He can see the hole, get through it and outrun you.”
Bell backed up Trey Rodriguez early in the season, but after a 101-yard performance against Pima in AWC’s third game, Bell’s workload increased to 17.1 carries per game in the final 10 games. During that 10-game stretch, he had six games of 100 or more yards and finished with fewer than 93 only twice.
Dejhion Parrish is the other sophomore ball-carrier on the team. As a freshman in 2016, Parrish had 489 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Freshmen Damon Williams, Ali Kelley and Cameron Coleman round out the backfield.
Wide receivers/tight ends
Perkins will have plenty of weapons to throw to — notably, sophomore starting wide receivers Steffon McKnight and Jaron Woodyard and sophomore tight end Dominick Wood-Anderson.
Wood-Anderson is the premier prospect of the group. The No. 1-ranked tight end and No. 11 overall JuCo prospect committed to Texas on Aug. 1.
Wood-Anderson did not get a ton of work as a freshman last year. In a runheavy offense and with top prospect Jeremy Patton (now playing for Arkansas) in front of him on the depth chart, Wood-Anderson finished 2016 with 14 receptions for 218 yards and two touchdowns. He scored in the NJCAA National Championship.
But that did not stop 20 Football Bowl Subdivision teams — including Alabama, Auburn and LSU — from offering the 6-foot-6, 255-pounder a scholarship for the next two seasons.
McKnight was AWC’s leading receiver last year, totaling 26 receptions, 334 yards and five touchdowns. Woodyard had 261 receiving yards and five touchdowns, and has offers from Arizona, Boise State and three others.
Sophomore returner Master Powell and freshmen Keyshawn Jones and Kendon Walker (from Chandler) are three other names to watch at wide receiver, according to Minnick.
Offensive line
The one area that has more questions than others on offense is the offensive line. The Matadors return sophomore center Zack Bennett, who was a First Team All-Conference selection in 2016.
But other than Bennett, it will be four new starters up front.
“It’s just getting them to jell,” Minnick said. “Last year, that was our best spot, our offensive line. Now, we’ve got to mold these guys to be our best guys. If they can do that, we’re going to be pretty hard to beat.”