3. Philo Sanchez, RB, 2002
Philo "The Phantastic" Sanchez might have been the coach's son, but he proved time and again he deserved to be on the field. The 5-foot 7-inch, 176-pound running back used his speed and toughness to rack up 2,479 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2001. That effort helped Sunnyside win its first state title. After losing in the finals in 2000, Sanchez and company finally made it over the hump with a convincing 28-6 victory against Phoenix Greenway in the championship. Sanchez had championship-game-record 41 carries for 184 yards in his final game before heading off to college at NAU. Sanchez was a two-time All-Southern Arizona running back and finished with the second-most career yards (4,839) in Tucson history. Philo Sanchez and his father, Richard Sanchez, were named All-Southern Arizona Player and Coach of the Year, respectively, in 2001.
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The Star's series of top 10 football players at major Southern Arizona high schools continue…
This summer the Star counted down some of Southern Arizona's top high school football athlet…
Meet Southern Arizona's top high school football players of 2001.
Faculty concerned about changes to U of A admissions policy
