HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL 2-A-DAYS
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 opened their seasons on Aug. 17-19. The 6A, 5A and 4A schools open on Aug. 25.
We call these 2-a-days.
5A Northwest Region
The teams: Agua Fria, Apollo, Barry Goldwater, Ironwood, Willow Canyon.
The favorite: Apollo. There is firepower on offense with three University of Arizona commits, but a lack of depth on defense is a concern.
The challenger: Willow Canyon. The Wildcats are the defending region champions but have big pieces to replace on both sides of the ball and special teams.
The dark horse: Barry Goldwater. Lost big-time back in a transfer move but the Eagles boast a strong offensive line.
Predicted order of finish: 1. Willow Canyon; 2. Apollo; 3. Goldwater; 4. Ironwood; 5. Agua Fria.
Key players: Carlos Pedregon, Goldwater, OL, Sr.; Chris Barton, Goldwater, OL, Jr.; Jayvion Whitt, Goldwater, OL, Jr.; Zach Munoz, Goldwater, C, Sr.; Leo Hillings, Goldwater, OL, Sr.; Adam Mohammed, Apollo, RB/WR, Sr.; Michael Watkins, Apollo, OL/DL, Sr.; Matthew Lado, OL/DL, Sr.; Kamarion Bell, Apollo, WR/DB, Sr.; Aiden Jones, Ironwood, WR, Sr.; Nathan Darley, Ironwood, WR, Sr.; Mohammad Salman, SS, Jr.; Maddox Rich, Ironwood, OLB, Sr.; Jonathan Daniels, Agua Fria, QB, Sr.; Braylon Cryer, Agua Fria, WR, Sr.; Austin Rhodes, Willow Canyon, DB, Sr.
Key date: Sept. 1 – Apollo will get an early challenge, facing Sunnyslope at home in what could be a high-scoring game.
5A Central Valley Region
The teams: Cibola, North Canyon, Paradise Valley, Raymond S Kellis, West Point, Westview.
The favorite: Raymond S Kellis. Great leadership on this team, starting with the Bacon brothers.
The challenger: Paradise Valley. The Trojans went 8-2 last year and will see how Brophy transfer Charlie LeVinus can lead the offense, which they might have to wait for the second half of the season.
The dark horse: West Point. A .500 team last year, it has enough skill guys back to make noise.
Predicted order of finish: 1. Raymond S Kellis; 2. Paradise Valley; 3. West Pointe; 4. North Canyon; 5. Westview; 6. Cibola.
Key players: Makhi Golston, North Canyon, QB, Sr.; Alex Serrano, North Canyon, WR, Sr.; Damien Atchue, North Canyon, DB, Sr.; Langston Asante, North Canyon, OL, So.; Jeremiah Polk, Cibola, DB, Jr.; Jayden Patterson, Westview, QB, Jr.; Nygel Clay, Westview, WR, Sr.; Baylor Paden, Paradise Valley, LB/ LS, So.; Tristan Bacon, Kellis, WR/OLB, Jr.; Ronald Coty III, Kellis, QB/S, Jr.; Bryce Bacon, Kellis, LB, Sr.; Michael Taylor, Kellis, WR, Sr.; Cayden Walker, Kellis, WR, Jr.; Carson Hutchings, Kellis, OL, Sr.; Jacob Johnson, Kellis, OL, Sr.; Richard Valdez, West Point, QB, Jr.; Anthony Lopes, West Point, RB, Sr.; Jordan Malone, West Point, WR, Jr.; Charlie LeVinus, Paradise Valley, QB, Jr.; Brock Behrend, Paradise Valley, LB/OL, Sr.; Petar Milosavljevic, Paradise Valley, WR/S, Sr.
Key date: Oct. 20 – Kellis travels to Paradise Valley likely to determine the top team out of the region.