Top 10 Arizona high school football OLs
If football championships are built in the weight room and won in the trenches, there are many Arizona high school football teams with a fighting chance to hold the gold ball in December.
Here are The Arizona Republic's top 10 offensive lines that pack a punch ahead of the 2023 season. Coaches provided input.
1. Chandler Hamilton: The Huskies might not only be the biggest and strongest but the best and that could make for a strong case in the chase for the Open gold ball. They're led by junior Toby Mealer (6foot-5, 339 pounds), senior Layton Firestone (6-6, 329), senior Carson Keim (6-2, 280), junior Liam Mistlebauer (6-3, 297), junior Michael Roth (6-8, 289) and sophomore Rex Waterman (6-5, 265). They also have Diego Hurtado, the little guy in the group at 5-11, 260, who will see time on the line.
2. Phoenix Brophy Prep: Coach Jason Jewell, a former college offensive lineman himself, liked what he had in the trenches this May, and that was before he heard that Logan Powell (6-5, 280, class of 2025) would be transferring in from Scottsdale Saguaro at the end of the semester. Then, suddenly, it got really good. Brophy returns four offensive linemen and a tight end who started games on varsity last year. Chaz Carson (6-3, 260), Kharlo Sandez (6-4, 335) and Ryan Brown (6-1, 260) all were full-time starters in 2022. Center Duncan Viscum (5-10, 220) and tight end Nassim Isaac also started the last three games. Junior Anderson Kopp (6-3, 270) had a big offseason and will contribute.
3. Phoenix Horizon: It's time to ground and pound for the Huskies, behind what some might argue is the best offensive line in the state. They have bookends that rival Hamilton with right tackle Carter Lavrusky (6-6, 275) and left tackle Dylan Nolan-Cook (6-6, 300). Lavrusky is one the state's most-recruited offensive linemen with offers from Colorado
State, Arizona, California and Oregon State. He will play both ways. And he played basketball and was a state qualifier in track and field in the discus and shot put. Right guard Conner Secor (6-1, 240) returns as an athletic, tough, strong lineman who plays with a chip on his shoulder. Center Reece Parker (5-10, 225) started three games as a sophomore last year and is an emotional leader, and the strongest player on the team. Marek Wojno (6-3, 230), Matteo Johnson (5-11, 232) and Zach Szafranski (6-5, 270) are battling it out for the left guard spot.
4. Glendale Apollo: This is a talented group, led by left tackle Matthew Lado (6-6, 270) and right guard Michael Watkins (6-3, 290), who both have multiple Division I offers. Watkins might be the most powerful lineman at the school, a punishing blocker who finishes plays. Left guard Londell Muldrow (5-11, 260) started at center last year and played every game. He's making the move to guard because of his ability to move in space. Alexander Solis (5-11, 265) takes over at center, a smart kid who can direct the line. Right tackle Miguel Guilpi (6-2, 250) moved from tight end late last season. This line should spring running back Adam Mohammed loose to have a monster
season.
5. Peoria Liberty: This team that has made it a tradition to reach the Open semifinals will reload on the offensive line with tackle Ryan Wolfer (6-5, 245) transitioning to tight end. He's a great blocker who started on the O-line last year. Tackles Kaden Haeckel (6-6, 280) and Nick Spence (6-6, 280) anchor it with left guard J.R. Hecklinski (6-2, 250), center Jace Gardner (6-1, 235) and right guard Cam Uresti (6-3, 245) figuring big in the Lions' plans as they're led by quarterback Navi Bruzon.
6. Phoenix Mountain Pointe: A team that won eight games and had nearly 3,000 rushing yards should be even better this year with the return of four starters from the offensive line, led by junior Kaleb Jones (6-2, 285). Running the ball has always been a big part of Mountain Pointe football. And for Christian Clark and company to have guys like Jones, Jayden Berrios (6-1, 290), center Elijah Hernandez (5-11, 220), Christian Winston (6-2, 260) and Nick Taylor (6-3, 250), this could be a banner year for the Pride.
7. Scottsdale Desert Mountain: This could be the best-ever season at Desert Mountain, and it's going to take a tremendous effort in the line to get to a championship. Leading the way are seniors James Cobb (6-4, 275), Kolton Muntz (6-2, 265), Cole Tappin (6-3, 250) and Will Havard (6-2, 260) and junior Bryce Hevesy (6-3, 260). And you might see 2026 defensive lineman Tony Cumberland (6-6, 260) help out on the line, maybe even as a tight end during the season. Cumberland has 10 major college offers already. Cobb, Muntz and Tappin will be three-year varsity starters.
8. Goodyear Desert Edge: There is a mix of youth and experience on a team that figures to be in the Open playoffs. The Scorpions' best offensive lineman by season's end could be super sophomore left tackle Jalayne Miller (6-4, 305), already being sought after by major colleges. The other tackle could be another sophomore, Xavier Johnson (6-2, 255). But he'll be in a battle with Duncan Igbokwe (6-3, 280). Center Johnny Blue (6-2, 290) is a beast up front, along with guards Brody Wellman (6-1, 260) and Antonio Gutierrez (6-2, 260).
9. Mesa Desert Ridge: Coach Roy Lopez can't say enough great things about his O-line. He feels this could be like his great Marcos de Niza teams that made runs to the state finals. Leading the way is Greg Bienvenue (6-4, 290), who can play either tackle or guard. He is one of the best in the state and one of several seniors leading the line. Jayden Cathey (6-5, 275), Koa Keanini (6-3, 280), Cade Seely (6-5, 270), Talon Langston (6-3, 275), Creed Hallows (6-3, 230), Taevin Bean (6-4, 265) and Kaden Blas (6-0, 260) give the Jaguars great depth and a chance to make a lot of noise.
10. Tucson Salpointe Catholic: This is a lineman's assembly line, producing college and pro players, including former long-time NFL lineman John Fina. This year, the Lancers have three linemen tipping the scales at 300 pounds. This should be another in a long line of formidable offensive lines, led by Luis Cordova (6-3, 319), Sabian Moreno (6-1, 280), John Zenan (5-9, 260), Tharran Koran (6-1, 300), Luis Cordova (5-10, 260) and Cidro Guillen (6-5, 300).