McClintock QB Knutson poised for big season
Tempe McClintock went 6-4 last year with quarterback Jaxon Knutson and receivers Khalil Bender, Amari Scroggins and Kemon Jackson.
They’re all going to be back after combining for massive yardage. And they all look even better during spring workouts at McClintock this month with a scattering of college coaches watching. And they’re all looking for their first Division I college football offers.
“I’ve been in contact with a lot of coaches,” Knutson said. “I’ll say my recruiting has ramped up this offseason with coaches coming by. That hasn’t happened at McClintock for a while. I feel like it’s going to come.”
Knutson has the physical attributed colleges like. He’s 6-foot-3, 200 pounds. He trimmed down since last season, feeling he’s faster and in the best shape of his high school career, after completing 181 of 291 passes for 2,786 yards and 31 touchdowns with seven interceptions in 2023.
Knutson has an excellent trio of receivers returning.
Bender, 6-1, 170, who will be a junior, caught 66 passes for 1,145 yards and 11 TDs last season. Scroggins, 6-3, 180, who will be a senior next season, caught 50 passes for 906 yards and 11 TDs. And Jackson, 5-11, 175, who will be a senior, caught 32 passes for 336 yards and two TDs, playing only half a season due to the AIA transfer rules after leaving Chandler. They’re all waiting for their first offer, too. They each have their special strengths and a connection with Knutson that could provide one of the most devastating passing games in 5A next season.
“We have a lot of good chemistry coming into this season from last season,” Jackson said. “We’re all building each other up hoping for a big season.”
Everyone at McClintock believes this will be a playoff team after the Chargers missed out last season, losing a 48-47 shootout with Tempe Marcos de Niza, losing to Vail Cienega by four points and falling to Phoenix Sunnyslope by 10 points.
“Last season, after not making the playoffs, I feel like we all came together like a brotherhood,” Scroggins said. “We have to have the mindset to come into the season to try to win it all.”
Bender feels that’s possible.
“My goal is to make the championship,” Bender said. “I feel like we can go deep in the playoffs. We’ve all be working. We should be good this year.”
Coach Mike Fell believes this team is special, despite losing a couple of offensive linemen to transfer that he’ll have to replace.
There is balance in the run game with Kahmar Hawkins and Edward Walker returning. Those running back combined for 780 yards and 14 TDs last season on varsity.
“We’ve got good athletes,” Fell said. “They’re a good group of kids. They’ve worked really hard. They had success last year. So they know.”
Knutson feels the offense is wide open with so many talented big-play athletes on offense.
“There are weapons everywhere,” Knutson said. “If this guy’s not open, this guy’s probably open. It makes it easier for me.”