High school football preview: Tucson's must-see players

Veteran linebacker Ksiazek a big piece for Lancers 

JAKE KSIAZEK

The rundown: Salpointe Catholic, senior, TE/MLB, 6-3, 235

Who he is: The ideal Salpointe football player, according to coach Dennis Bene. “He’s big, he’s physical, he’s talented, and more importantly, he’s coachable, he’s disciplined and has a great work ethic,” Bene said. Ksiazek is a veteran player for the Lancers, who saw significant action his sophomore year, when Salpointe went 14-0 and won the Division II state championship. Now Ksiazek, a team captain and two-way starter, is hoping to make another run for a title after last season came to a disappointing end, with him suffering a broken left foot just a few weeks before the Lancers made a first-round exit from the state playoffs. Ksiazek brings a dazzling combination of speed and size; he played as an outside linebacker last year but is looking forward to filling the hole left in the middle by Taylor Powell, who is now at NAU. “I’m excited to go sideline to sideline,” Ksiazek said. “Every play, I have a chance to get in on.” Ksiazek has added 10 to 15 pounds of muscle since last year and has a wide range of abilities on both sides of the ball: He can block well, had solid hands and in tough to bring down. Stanford linebacker Blake Martinez, a former Canyon del Oro star, visited Salpointe’s practice over the summer and was standing next to Ksiazek at one point. Bene noticed a similarity. “They’re pretty much the same size, they’re big guys,” he said. “You don’t see many linebackers that big, especially in Southern Arizona.”

Proof he’s good: Ksiazek already has several schools interested in him but Bene believes he can add another five or six scholarship offers by the time his senior season comes to an end. Air Force, Army, Nave, Holy Cross, South Dakota State, UC-Davis and UNLV are the ones who have offered Ksiazek, but Colorado, Colorado State, San Diego State, San Jose State, Wyoming are the ones who have him their radar. What makes Ksiazek a quality recruit, according to Bene, is his upside. “His best football is in front of him,” Bene said. “After he’s in a college system for a couple of years, he’s going to play at another level.”

Season goal: Break the program’s single-season tackle mark of 172 and finish his high school career on a high note. “This senior class, there’s only a few of us that won a state championship and I think that’s just make us hungrier for it,” Ksiazek said. “Having that feeling before, we want to lead our team back to that.”

He said it: “Our defense will probably go as Jake goes. He anchors the center of our defense at the linebacker spot and if he can be productive, make a lot of tackles and work off the opportunities that the D-line gives him, then we have a chance. That’s our only chance to be there at the end, if we play really good defense.” – Bene

Eagerton covers everyone's best for Empire 

Ethan Eagerton

The rundown: Empire, senior, ATH/DB, 6-1, 190

Who he is: A long, cover corner with a smooth backpedal, who looks nothing like the player he was his freshman year. Eagerton began playing in the second grade, stopped two years later and picked it back up in eighth grade. Now he is entering his fourth season as a varsity starter. Eagerton was mainly a wide receiver as a freshman, because as a corner, “He played like he was afraid to make a mistake,” coach W.T. Jeffries said. Thanks to working hard since then, running ladders, doing defensive-back drills and running sprints on the track, Eagerton has become the team’s best cover corner, according to Jeffries. The senior has also added 40 pounds of muscle over the last three years, which allows him to play physically in the press. On top of his defensive duties, Jeffries plans to have Eagerton average 20 touches per game, whether it comes from catching passes, taking handoffs, returning punts and kickoffs or playing in the wildcat formation.

Proof he’s good: Despite playing in a run-oriented offense, Eagerton recorded 1,025 all-purpose yards,while leading the team in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. He also accounted for 499 kickoff return yards and one touchdown. In a 70-13 loss to Catalina Foothills last year, Jeffries used Eagerton mainly in the wildcat position — when the ball is snapped to a player other than the quarterback. He racked up 142 rushing yards and one touchdown on 15 carries. Eagerton is being recruited by Arizona, NAU, Northwest Missouri State, UC-Davis, Western New Mexico and Cornell.

After attending the Blue-Grey All-American Combine in Dallas, Eagerton has been invited to play in the All-Star game at AT&T Stadium. Salpointe Catholic’s Justin Holt, an Arizona commit and four-star recruit, was also invited to the game.

Season goal: After a disappointing 4-6 season in 2014, Eagerton wants to get into the postseason, something the Ravens haven’t done since his freshman year, when they reached the state quarterfinals. But Eagerton didn’t get much time on the field in the playoffs that year, said Jeffries, who is entering his third season as Empire’s coach. The only personal goal Eagerton has is to break the single-season mark of 12 touchdown catches, set by J.J. Gret-ta during his freshman year.

He said it: “I know I can put him on their best receiver and he can lock them down. It’s nice to know I have one half of the field covered. I can tell you right now, he will be covering their best receiver, it doesn’t matter where they line up. Ethan will be on their best receiver.” – Jeffries

'Tenacious' Turnbull is a 2-way star for Marana 

Garrett Turnbull

The rundown: Marana, senior, OT/DE, 6-4, 220

Who he is: The anchor along the line for the Tigers. If anyone can make the move from rushing end to strong-side defensive end — while also adding offensive lineman to his résumé — it’s Turnbull. The team captain is being asked to pick up the slack left behind by graduation. While Turnbull still expects to get his statistics at end, moving to the strong side should force teams to use a second blocker, freeing up space for others to make plays. Double-teams shouldn’t affect Turnbull, who proved last year he had all the tools to be successful anywhere along the line. His quick feet, high football IQ and instincts on the edge should also benefit him as he moves from blocking tight end to offensive tackle.

Proof he’s good: Turnbull’s tape doesn’t lie. There is a reason colleges are coming after him. He makes proper reads, sheds blocks with ease, and has shown an ability to get his hands up to disrupt passes. Turnbull led the team in sacks a year ago with seven, to go along with 3ƒ tackles per game and a team-high seven tackles-for-loss. He already has an offer from Division II Adams State, while NAU, Montana and Western New Mexico have also been hot on his trail. He had a busy summer, attending camps at NAU, UC Davis, Cal Poly, Montana and Adams State. Along with increasing all his lifts and adding weight, Turnbull shaved time off his 40-yard dash, which is now down to 4.8 seconds. Turnbull has also been a member of the track and field team the past three seasons as a decathlete, which proves his athleticism.

Season goal: Turnbull came into his junior year ready to contribute. Now he enters his senior year ready to lead. From being called up to varsity toward the end of his freshman year, to struggling to earn playing time as a sophomore and being sent back down, to starting as a junior, Turnbull’s journey hasn’t always been easy, but it made him the high-motor player he is today. His top priority this season is helping Marana make the playoffs for the first time since 2007. The Tigers took a step back last year in the win column, going from 5-5 to 3-7. Individually, he’s aiming for all-region accolades, which will take the kind of play necessary to get the Tigers where they want to be.

He said it: “He’s quick and has that motor. He’s not ever going to give up. When the ball is in play, he’s going to go. That makes him tough to block because he’s tenacious to the football.” — Marana coach Andy Litten

Stronger RB Joseph looks to keep Red Wolves rolling 

Louis Joseph

The rundown: Walden Grove, senior, RB/DB, 5-9, 185

Who he is: What Joseph lacks in polish, he makes up for with hard work and an even harder running style. You’d better be an octopus if you expect to arm tackle the senior. Although he’s only been playing the game since his sophomore year, Joseph’s performance in 2014 was a major reason the Red Wolves had their first winning season and qualified for the postseason for the first time in the program’s short history. He credits a rude introduction to the game as an offensive scout team pinball for his toughness today. Joseph saw some time on the field as a sophomore, and eventually secured the starting gig toward the end of 2013 after an injury opened up a spot.

Proof he’s good: Joseph rushed for more than 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior. He got a chance to see where he stacked up against other top prospects when he attended camps at Arizona and UCLA this offseason. He came away feeling confident in his abilities and more motivated than ever to round out his rough edges. Already a power with the ball, Joseph increased his bench press from 210 to 300 pounds. He has also been working on his hands, as the Red Wolves hope to get him even more involved. Joseph may see time situationally on defense at safety or outside linebacker.

Season goal: Along with setting his sights on 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns this season, Joseph’s top priority is to keep Walden Grove winning under first-year coach Chris May. With the departure of fullback/linebacker and captain Izzy Calvillo, along with three-fifths of the offensive line, Joseph will have his work cut out for him — which is just the way he likes it. He should be in good hands with Calvillo’s replacement, Lance Kilgore, leading the way.

He said it: “He’s a unique blend of power and speed. He’s put on a little bit of weight, he’s gotten stronger, his lifts have gone up. He’s a guy that’s going to go downhill; he’s really figured out that he has the ability to put his shoulder down and finish runs. That’s a big difference from his sophomore year to his junior year, but he’s also got great speed in the open field. So once he gets loose, he’s hard to catch up to. He’s unique in that combination, and for us that’s a great combination to have.” – May

Sabino's dual-threat QB Dixon loaded with talent 

DREW DIXON

The rundown: Sabino, junior, QB, 6-4, 195

Who he is: The most talented quarterback that coach Jay Campos has had in his time at Sabino. Dixon is entering his first season as Sabino’s starting quarterback but he’s got plenty of experience as a signal caller. Furthermore, he understands the offense even better, thanks to starting as a wide receiver for the Sabercats last fall. “I know what’s open, I know the windows even better so it helped me a lot,” Dixon said.

The junior has been playing football since he was in the fifth grade and had always been a quarterback, until the last two seasons. Even though Dixon wasn’t the starter he was still getting plenty of reps under center during practice, according to Campos. Dixon put on 15 pounds but feels faster than ever; he projects to be a dual-threat player, just like Braxton Miller, Marcus Mariota and Cam Newton. Coincidentally, Miller is transitioning to wide receiver this season as Dixon goes the opposite way. “To be able to make plays, that’s just my comfort zone,” Dixon said. “Being back at quarterback, I love it.”

Proof he’s good: What his coach says. Campos, who is entering his 13th season as Sabino’s skipper, puts Dixon ahead of some of his greats, such as Justin Randall and Dallas Brown. “The list goes on and on with some of the guys we coached,” Campos said. “But, in terms of natural talent and ability, there’s nothing close to what he brings to the table.” Dixon also caught the attention of the Arizona Wildcats when he attended their prospect camp; he took an unofficial visit to the UA a couple weeks ago. Though he hasn’t gotten any scholarship offers, BYU and San Diego State have also shown interest.

Season goal: Dixon wants to be balanced. “I want to rush for as much as or close to what I have passing-wise,” he said. That should not be a problem since Sabino’s offense favors the rushing game. On top of that, Dixon said he’s most looking forward to playing Catalina Foothills, which is now in the same section with the Sabercats. “I almost think it’s going to be a bigger game than Sahuaro this year,” Dixon said. “That’s our rival but CatFoot is going to be a big game.”

He said it: “I’ve never coached a quarterback with just pure talent like Dixon. He can throw the ball, he can run the ball and he can carry people on his back because he’s such a big kid. I just think he’s going to have a breakout season this year as a junior and help carry his team.” – Campos

Berryhill bears bag of tricks at Mountain View 

Stan Berryhill Jr.

The rundown: Mountain View, junior, WR/DB, 5-9, 155

Who he is: A silky smooth, hardworking technician who is constantly trying to prove he belongs. Berryhill started his football career with the Tucson Falcons and earned his stripes alongside future college players such as Cam Denson, who is now with the Arizona Wildcats. Berryhill, a three-sport athlete at Mountain View, also plays basketball and baseball. His father signed to play with the UA out of high school and has been training him on perfecting his technique from a young age, specifically his route running. Despite senior teammate quarterback Justice Summerset being nicknamed “Superman,” Berryhill has his own bags of tricks. His favorite route is the post-corner because of how he can set up defenders with a double-move. Mountain View coach Clarence McRae plans to get the ball in the hands of Berryhill as much as possible; the speedy senior will also return kicks and punts. Berryhill will also play some corner and safety, McRae said, because of his ability to communicate in the secondary. Berryhill said his experience and understanding of route combinations allows him to stick to opponents.

Proof he’s good: McRae praises Berryhill’s ability to get out of his breaks quickly and pointed to the fact defensive backs have trouble jamming him at the line. That helped him haul in 44 passes for 787 yards (a 17.9-yard average) and eight touchdowns in 2014. He also scored on a punt return and intercepted a pass. “Most people think being a receiver is all about running and catching the ball,” McRae said. “But Stan does a good job of setting up defenders, getting up on top of his toes before he breaks.”

Season goal: Berryhill would like to see all those Saturday and Sundays he spent with Summerset and senior running back Bryce Coleman running routes and working on their timing pay off with a trip to the playoffs. Berryhill does not have any scholarship offers, but he uses that as the chip on his shoulder to continue to work hard in hopes of landing some. He went to a few camps individually this summer, in addition to attending passing tournaments at Arizona, Arizona State, NAU, New Mexico State and San Diego State.

He said it: “He’s very elusive when he gets the ball in his hands. We want to get our best athlete in the open field against yours, and let’s see who wins. I think Stan, if you can get him in one-on-one situations, he will probably win those most of the time.” — McRae

Bigger, better Watson anchors Amphitheater's line 

David Watson

The rundown: Amphitheater, sophomore, LT/DE, 6-5, 290

Who he is: The son of former Arizona Wildcats offensive lineman David Watson and UA softball slugger Laura Espinoza-Watson. Athleticism and leadership are in his genes, and Watson brings an unusual combination of size and coordination. Plus, his doctor has said that he could still grow another three inches.

The second-year starter plays with a big-brother mentality while protecting the blindside of Amphi quarterback Taylor John. Watson began playing football when he was 8, lining up often as running back because of his size, and quarterback for his knowledge of the game.

Watson started as a freshman, anchoring the offensive line and plugging up the middle in the trenches as a defensive tackle. He played mostly on offense in the second half, helping lead senior running back Dante Anderson to nearly 1,800 yards rushing. Second-year coach Jorge Mendivil is expecting big strides from Watson this fall, as the sophomore can play anywhere on the line. “If we need to get a yard or 2, we will run it behind him,” Mendivil said.

Proof he’s good: The college interest. Although he can’t be offered a scholarship until next summer, Watson is already on the coaches’ radar. He was invited to an Oregon camp a few months ago, where he dominated; he was pulled up to play with the juniors and won the offensive lineman of the camp award for sophomores.

Watson has also received interest from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico State and South Carolina. As long as he stays healthy, Mendivil said, Watson will likely be a blue-chip recruit with several offers to choose from.

Season goal: The Panthers aren’t much for individual goals, but the front five have a few. Watson doesn’t want to give up any sacks, after he allowed four last year. They also want to average 300 yards of total offense per game, with 200 coming through the air and 100 on the ground. Watson’s lone individual goal is to make sure he plays through the whistle and that he does not take any plays off, something he admits to doing last season.

He said it: “He will challenge kids, get in their face a little bit. It’s just that competition in him, that fire in him all the time. He doesn’t want to take plays off. He will challenge a guy and get in his face because he doesn’t want to just go through the motions of practice, since he is bigger than everyone.” — Mendivil

McAdams brings raw power to Santa Rita 

Matthew McAdams

The rundown: Santa Rita, senior, ATH/MLB, 5-11, 200.

Who he is: McAdams is a superior athlete built with an unbreakable, self-motivating will. He plays with a chip on his shoulder, ready to prove he’s the ultimate alpha male. McAdams speaks with the confidence of a trained warrior and flashes plenty of charm with a full smile and piercing eyes.

First-year coach Felix Jamero compares McAdams’ athleticism to that of former Heisman Trophy winner and Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. It’s why Jamero plans on giving McAdams plenty of snaps under center in a new up-tempo, no-huddle offense similar to that of Oregon and Auburn.

McAdams will also see time at running back and slot receiver to make sure he gets the ball in his hands as much as possible. His natural position, however, is linebacker. He’s making the switch from outside to inside this year.

Santa Rita was on pace to finish with a winning record last season but the use of ineligible players resulted in the forfeiture of five wins, spoiling what could have been the first trip to the postseason since 2009. On top of that, McAdams said, a handful of players transferred to rival Palo Verde over the offseason.

Proof he’s good: The third-year varsity player is back feeling stronger than ever this season after missing the first seven games in 2014 with a torn meniscus in his left knee. McAdams is a big believer in stretching and being in the weight room as much as possible: He squats 500 pounds and bench presses 270. Despite injuries over the years, McAdams impressed at a Rivals camp in Phoenix last month when he was hand-timed at 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

Because of his limited playing time due to injuries, schools are just starting to take notice. Northern Arizona University and Pima Community College both like him, and Arizona defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel met with McAdams in late May.

Season goal: With three different coaches coming through Santa Rita’s program in the last three years, McAdams hasn’t received too much guidance on the fundamentals of playing linebacker.

He has mostly relied on his instincts to produce but he’s also been watching film every day. McAdams’ favorite player to watch is San Diego Chargers rookie Denzel Perryman because of his quickness and the way he’s able to carry his weight so fluidly. McAdams believes since his team will be counting on him so much, he needs to stay healthy and on the field to fulfill his goal of giving his team everything he’s got.

He said it: “Gosh, playing Palo Verde is so amazing. Knowing that we have friends that left us to go play for our rivals, it’s like, how dare you betray the squad like that. Like, oh you’re going to get it so bad. It’s an emotional game and it always has been. Even when I was a little kid in the stands watching Palo Verde and Santa Rita, you’d see the intensity and want to be in that.” — McAdams

Carnaghi hoping to be the 'go-to guy' for Cougars 

CASEY CARNAGHI

The rundown: Sahuaro, senior, WR/FS, 6-3, 190

Who he is: A hungry player hoping to make a big splash. Carnaghi projects to be Sahuaro’s top receiver this season as he steps in to replace the graduated duo of Qwaundre Yancy and Omar Lloyd, which combined for 1,086 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2014 as the Cougars won nine straight games to open the year. Carnaghi was limited mostly to defense last fall after he suffered a broken left hand in the second game, a 21-13 victory at Sabino. The hand is “100 percent better,” Carnaghi said, and he is hoping to have a breakout season. Seventh-year coach Scott McKee hopes to capitalize on Carnaghi’s abilities on both sides of the ball this year, as the Cougars also try to replace Derik Hall, a 1,200-yard rusher and the Star’s 2014 defensive player of the year who is now at NAU. Carnaghi, who has drawn interest from Montana and South Dakota State, will spend most of his time lining up as a wide out but will also move around. Meanwhile, the team captain will remain at free safety on defense. “We’re hoping that he’ll emerge as a go-to guy for us this year,” McKee said.

Proof he’s good: Because of his injury, Carnaghi caught just 11 passes last season — all in the second half of the year — but still finished with 294 yards and three touchdowns. Most of that came in the first round of the Division II state playoffs, when he had four receptions for 135 yards, including a 60-yard touchdown catch. Carnaghi is best friends with quarterback and fellow team captain Stephen Miller, who passed for 1,790 yards, 19 touchdowns and just three interceptions as a junior. The two have been playing together since the eighth grade, Carnaghi said, and they have great chemistry, so the stage is set for a big season.

Season goal: Get over the playoff hump. Carnaghi has been a part of 17 wins over the last two years but two of Sahuaro’s five losses in that span have come in the postseason. In fact, the Cougars haven’t won a playoff game since 1999, and Carnaghi is hoping to help put an end to that spell.

He said it: “He’s a real good kid to have in the program. He’s been there before, he knows what we need to get done and we’re hopeful that he’ll become that guy, become the next one in line that we’ve had before.” – McKee

Experienced Ontiveros hoping to keep Sahuarita strong 

JACOB ONTIVEROS

The rundown: Sahuarita, senior, RB/LB, 5-11, 185

Who he is: A key piece among six returning starters on defense for the Mustangs. Ball carriers may not see Ontiveros coming, but he’s coming. The undersized but explosive Ontiveros helped lead Sahuarita to a memorable 12-1 season last fall, which ended with a 36-33 loss in the Division IV state semifinals, to Mohave Valley River Valley, the eventual state champion.

While most linebackers spend the offseason bulking up, Ontiveros decided to keep his weight down and focus on conditioning heading into his senior year. The Mustangs’ 4-3 system is build more on speed, and Ontiveros also wanted to be better prepared for any offensive action. He is expected to see some time at running back and tight end. The former Walden Grove wrestler transferred to Sahuarita as a sophomore. He was thrust into the starting lineup at middle linebacker by the second half of the season due to injury.

Proof he’s good: Ontiveros has a decade’s worth of linebacker experience. As a junior, he finished second on the team in tackles with 118, just three takedowns off Tanner Liddicoat, also a senior. Ontiveros had seven games with at least 10 tackles, including a season-high 17 against Safford last September. He also forced three fumbles, tallied two sacks and recorded a safety as the Mustangs held teams to 14.8 points per game. Ontiveros also played soccer and finished tied for third in goals and points.

Season goal: Ontiveros wasn’t interested in discussing postseason accolades from 2014 but first-year coach Rodney Day, a longtime assistant with the program, wasn’t so reserved about his thoughts on his standout player being overlooked. The senior has always been a leader by example and answered the call of being a team captain this offseason. Sahuarita will be leaning on Ontiveros’ leadership more than ever to maintain the team’s winning ways in recent years as it replaces the majority of the defensive line and part of the secondary.

He said it: “I’ve been playing a lot of years so I feel comfortable with the game, seeing the play before it happens. I just try and give it my all. I love hitting and being in the trenches.” – Ontiveros

Walker a two-way threat for Pusch Ridge 

Ben Walker

The rundown: Pusch Ridge Christian, senior, TE/WR/DE, 6-4, 198

Who he is: A long and athletic pass- catcher. Walker, one of just 10 seniors on the team, will likely start both ways. He’ll be tested on the defensive side of the ball, as he’ll get extended snaps for the first time in his high school career. On offense, Pusch Ridge coach Troy Cropp plans to use Walker mostly as a hybrid tight end, the position at which schools are recruiting him. Arizona, NAU, Missouri, UNLV, Montana, Azusa Pacifica and Colorado State are all paying attention to Walker’s senior year. Adams State has offered him a scholarship, but he’s holding out for Colorado State. Walker is heading into his last season feeling rejuvenated and healthy as ever. Both his mother and sister are doctors, and they helped him overhaul his diet, cutting out soda and bread and paying better attention to when he eats carbohydrates. It has made a difference: No longer does he have to practice at half-speed, and his knees and joints finally feel at ease.

He’s also noticed a difference in his speed, as he’s able to get out of his breaks quicker and beat his opponent, something Walker admits he wasn’t able to do last season. He cut his 40-yard dash down to 4.8 seconds. As Pusch Ridge moves up into Division IV this season, Walker’s play could help propel it to newfound heights.

Proof he’s good: Most of Walker’s snaps will come at the tight end spot, as the Lions use a run-heavy offense. To prepare, he’s been focusing on his blocking, but that doesn’t mean he can’t put up some big numbers. With a wingspan ranging as wide as 6 feet, 7 inches, and hands 9 inches long, he can easily haul passes in from a wide radius. Walker gained 603 receiving yards and scored seven touchdowns on 32 receptions as a junior. Over his three seasons on varsity, he has caught 72 passes for 1,310 yards and 20 touchdowns. Walker’s best game of the season last fall came when he caught seven passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns in a win against San Manuel.

Season goal: Walker knows his numbers won’t be as flashy as last season because the Lions want to run more. But the play-action will be a main staple of the offense as well. He will be able to leak out and stretch the defense over the top on favorable matchups. Two goals Walker would like to achieve in his final season are to notch wins against Sahuarita and Flowing Wells.

He said it: “I’ve mainly been focusing on blocking. It’s kind of cool to see you open up a hole for a guy, not necessarily to take credit, but to see what you’ve done. It makes you want to do it more. When your guys show confidence in you, put their trust in you, its an overall good feeling.” — Walker

Sunnyside Figueroa returns with big goals, high expectations 

RUBEN FIGUEROA

The rundown: Sunnyside, senior, RB/LB, 5-11, 190

Who he is: A tenacious linebacker who led the state in tackles a year ago. Figueroa averaged 16.1 tackles in 2014 and is back for the Blue Devils along with senior defensive lineman Aaron Sanders, who led Division II with a whopping 16 sacks as a junior. Sunnyside also notched its first postseason victory since 2009 when it stunned second-seeded Ironwood Ridge in the first round of the state playoffs last fall, so the expectations coming into this season are certainly high. “We want to shut people down,” Figueroa said. “We’re looking to come out physical, just setting the tone for the game and dominating.” While Figueroa had his way on defense, fifth-year coach Glenn Posey is hoping he can be just as successful on the offensive side of the ball. Figueroa touched the ball just 12 times last season but scored three touchdowns, one of which came in the 35-14 postseason victory at I-Ridge. “We know what we’ve got,” Posey said. “We just kept him under wraps for last year, and we’re excited for this year.” The team captain is expected to be a two-way starter and is willing to help out wherever needed. Figueroa will likely see time as a slot receiver in addition to being the team’s top running back, where he has some big shoes to fill. The top three rushers from 2014 — Carlos Lara, Isaiah Salazar and Anthony Peralta — are all gone; the trio amassed 1,449 rushing yards along with 21 touchdowns.

Proof he’s good: The numbers from last year speak for themselves. Figueroa, one of 33 seniors on the team, should cause an even bigger headache for opponents this season. He has improved his footwork and speed, has gained 10 pounds and has increased both his bench press (to 305 pounds) and squat (to 435 pounds). Figueroa, who was born and raised on the south side, also spent extra time during the offseason watching film to get an even better understanding of Sunny side’s scheme.

Season goal: Figueroa wants to lead the state in tackles again. He also wants to rush for at least 700 yards, though he’s not exactly sure how many touchdowns he’d like to score. Figueroa wants to treat each game as a playoff game and, of course, get back to the postseason.

He said it: “He’s a natural leader, he’s a natural football player, he gets it. He’s our coach on the field, and he helps us out tremendously. When you have a football player you can lean on, it sure is nice.” – Posey

Tucson High's Williams back healthy, looking to dominate 

DeANDRE WILLIAMS

The rundown: Tucson, senior, ATH/DB, 5-9, 175

Who he is: The best running back in Southern Arizona, in the eyes of fifth-year coach Justin Argraves. Williams is entering his third season on varsity but was limited last fall after he suffered an ankle injury in a season-opening loss at Sahuaro. “Everything was all there,” he said, “I just wasn’t as explosive as I am normally.” Since then, Williams has healed up just fine, and he’s more explosive than ever. During the track season, he helped the Badgers win a 400-meter relay state title. Tucson will rely on Williams — a team captain for the second straight year — on both sides of the ball. The speedy senior will see time at running back, wide receiver and in the slot, and he will alternate between cornerback and safety on defense. “He’s a huge piece to the puzzle,” Argraves said. Williams has grown into a phenomenal leader and understands that this is his team, Argraves added. “I 100 percent believe we’re going to be a force to reckon with, and I’m ready for the first game,” Williams said.

Proof he’s good: Williams played in just eight games last year but still led the team with 522 rushing yards on 100 carries. He finished tied for the team-high with six pass deflections. “I had to be on the field,” he said. “I had to play because I couldn’t just leave the team out cold like that.” The Badgers return four starting offensive linemen and quarterback Jorge Flores, so the offense could have a breakout year. Williams hopes to put on another five pounds by the time Tucson travels to Apache Junction for its Aug. 28 season opener.

Season goal: Williams said he wants to rush for at least 1,000 yards and be a lockdown corner, allowing hardly any completions and intercepting at least four passes. “I want to be able to do my job well so I can help this team,” he said. A big season could help Williams land his first scholarship offer. Colorado and Stanford have shown interest, along with Western New Mexico.

He said it: “The sky is the limit for DeAndre; he can do whatever he wants on this field. He’s that type of player and, in my opinion, he’s the best running back in town. On top of that, I think he’s one of the best corners in town.” — Argraves

Returning QB Soto a key piece to Dorados' success 

Noah Soto

The rundown: Canyon del Oro, senior, QB, 5-10, 165

Who he is: CDO’s playoff hopes rest on the arm, feet and dynamic playmaking of Soto, who led the Dorados to a nine-win season and state playoff victory a year ago. With Soto under center, CDO experienced its best statistical passing season since 1995. Soto should be even better this fall: He has added 10 pounds of muscle and can now throw 60 yards on a line. Soto will be CDO’s first returning quarterback since Dan Nicholas in 2007; Nicholas was named the Star’s player of the year and the Dorados reached the Class 4A-I state championship game. Soto is just an all-around athlete: He’s the point guard on the basketball team and he played volleyball for the first time last year. CDO baseball coach Keith Francis has even asked Soto to occupy center field for the defending Division II state champions.

Proof he’s good: Soto excels at improvising and extending plays. In 12 games last season, Soto threw for 2,178 yards with an efficient touchdown-to-interception ratio of 26-to-3. In a balanced offense, Soto also provided relief on the team’s backs by rushing for 523 yards and five scores. Soto had six games with multiple passing touchdowns and, against Catalina Foothills, threw for 233 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for another score.

Season goal: CDO moved up into Division II and will dress just 31 players this season. Soto isn’t one for personal stats, but said if he can throw 15 touchdown passes, run in a few more and — most importantly — help the Dorados qualify for the playoffs, he’ll be content. Soto has caught the attention of Eastern Washington and several Division II schools. While all the universities have been recruiting him as a quarterback, Soto said he’s willing to play slot receiver at the next level.

He said it: “We have a guy like Noah who can put together the pieces of the puzzle. Our guys know he’s going to make plays, they’re confident that he’ll lead them and there’s no questions about it. It says a lot for the team.” — CDO football coach Dustin Peace

'Nasty' Walker ready for bigger role with Cienega 

WILL WALKER

The rundown: Cienega, senior, FB/LB, 5-11, 220

Who he is: Walker is a wrecking ball, a combination of attitude, ability and physical attributes that make him one of the top two-way players in the state. Walker, a varsity level football player and wrestler since his freshman year, has a downhill mindset and sideline-to-sideline quicks, mixed with a high IQ and a motor that doesn’t quit. Walker was called up to varsity toward the end of his freshman year. He started at fullback as a sophomore and was a starting linebacker as a junior. Cienega finished the season 11-2 last season and advanced to the Division II state semifinals.

Proof he’s good: Walker helped pave the way for running back Francisco Dicochea, the Star’s 2014 offensive player of the year, who finished with 1,582 yards and 21 touchdowns. Cienega finished with more than 2,600 rushing yards as team. Walker is no slouch on production himself. As a junior, he finished third in catches (15) and fourth in both rushing yards (183) and carries (32); he also scored four total touchdowns. His favorite play is trap right, when he gets the ball. Walker was also the team’s leading tackler last year (107) and the only Bobcat with triple-digit takedowns. He had five games with at least 10 or more tackles and finished the season with one sack and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. College interest has began to pick up for Walker, who attended summer camps at the Air Force Academy and the Colorado School of Mines.

Season goal: Walker, one of two returning running backs with double-digit carries, will see an increase in his workload as the team attempts to replace the majority of its offensive skill players. Meanwhile, he will continue to anchor the defense as Cienega makes the switch to a 3-3-5. The more aggressive style of play should benefit Walker, as added bodies in the secondary will allow him to do what he does best, search and destroy. The Bobcats have to replace most if not all of the secondary from a season ago, so they will be counting on the veteran player to control the middle that much more.

He said it: “My first job was always linebacker but fullback just came natural to me. I love the toughness it takes. I love getting after it, going 100 percent every play. You just get to be nasty and have some fun.” – Walker

Romero hoping to rush Pueblo back to postseason 

JORGE ROMERO

The rundown: Pueblo, senior, RB, 5-11, 190

Who he is: Romero is arguably Southern Arizona’s best-kept secret. After being slowed last year by an early-season foot injury, Romero still managed to rush for more than 1,200 yards at 8 yards per carry. He returns as one of the state’s top running backs. Being hampered by injury last year only helped Romero with his patience and vision. Even with a bad toe, Romero scored in every game he played and had four games with at least 165 yards, including two with 225-plus.

Proof he’s good: Romero is already Pueblo’s all-time leading rusher, and helped will the Warriors to their first winning season (7-3) since 2000. Romero scored as many touchdowns by himself last year (15) as the Warriors did as a team in 2013. It took all of a handful of games as a freshman before Romero was splitting carries with the seniors. As a sophomore, in his first full season as a starter, Romero was responsible for nearly 60 percent of the offense (1,269 yards), finishing with 988 yards on the ground and 281 through the air. Second-year coach Brandon Sanders hopes to utilize Romero’s hands even more than last season, when he hauled in 14 catches for 121 yards and a score.

Season goal: With four starting offensive linemen returning, Pueblo should make a push to qualify for the state playoffs for the first time since 1991. Individually, Romero has his eye on doubling — and then some — his total from a year ago. Along with plenty of speed work, Romero rededicated himself in the weight room and at the dinner table to be better prepared to handle the load. While colleges aren’t knocking down his door yet, another strong showing this season should change that. The Warriors will be tested early thanks to a front-loaded first-half schedule, including Catalina Foothills, Marana and Flowing Wells.

He said it: “Everyone thinks the season was a fluke. Just one big season. Like, ‘OK, they’re going to go back to before.’ But we are here to show them.” — Romero

Like a bowling ball, Colgate keeps Nogales rolling 

COY COLGATE

The rundown: Nogales, senior, FB/LB, 5-9, 215

Who he is: A human bowling ball, according to what some opposing coaches said. Colgate is heading into his fourth season as a varsity starter, and is hoping to rekindle some of the magic from his freshman year, when Nogales made an unprecedented run to the Division III state semifinals. Since that memorable 10-win season, however, the Apaches have won just eight games total, playing in Division II. But with the move back down a level because of the realignment and the experience Colgate brings to the field, the expectation is for the Apaches to at least qualify for the state playoffs.

The two-way starter and team captain prefers playing defense because he likes hitting people, but believes he’s more valuable to the team at fullback, getting blocks down and creating holes. Colgate, who also does the longsnapping, said he added roughly 20 pounds to both his bench press and squat, and can now hit 315 and 515 in the two lifts, respectively.

Proof he’s good: The numbers. Colgate led the Apaches with 13.2 tackles per game in addition to nine tackles-for-loss, one sack and one forced fumble. Furthermore, he was second on the team in rushing yards last season with 405. He also scored five touchdowns and averaged 7.1 yards per carry.

Second-year coach Kevin Kuhm voiced a desire to give his hard-nosed senior a much bigger role as a ball carrier compared to 2014, when he averaged just 5.7 touches a game. Kuhm also called Colgate the quarterback of the defense and said he’s like a coach on the field because of his experience.

“It’s nice to have an extra set of eyes on the field and someone who understands what we’re doing and helps relay that message to the rest of the players,” Kuhm said.

Season goal: Colgate wants to continue playing in college, but he hasn’t landed a scholarship offer. He has been in contact with NAU, Northern Colorado and San Diego State, and is hoping an offer could come during the season.

The goal from the team standpoint is to qualify for the state playoffs for the first time since 2012. Aside from that, Colgate doesn’t have any individual goals at this point, but said he will likely come up with something once the season gets going. “It’s not time to be focused on myself, it’s more time to be focused on the team,” he said.

He said it: “He is very physical; he plays through every block and runs through tackles. And when he has the ball in his hands, he’s running through arm tackles and running over guys, just like a bowling ball.” – Kuhm

Dynamic Summerset like 'Superman' for the Mountain Lions 

JUSTICE SUMMERSET

The rundown: Mountain View, senior, athlete/safety, 6-3, 156

Who he is: The centerpiece of what projects to be one of the state’s most explosive and high-scoring offenses. Summerset, who is entering his fourth season as a varsity starter, passed for more than 2,700 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2014 in addition to rushing for 303 yards and eight scores. Mountain View finished the season 6-4 but was ineligible for postseason play because of a recruiting violation. But, thanks heavily to Summerset, the Mountain Lions are a legitimate contender for the Division II state championship. He is among seven returning starters on offense for Mountain View and has a strong receiving corps that includes junior Stan Berryhill, who caught 44 passes for 787 yards and a team-high eight touchdowns a year ago. On top of that, the ground game will be much more of a factor with senior Bryce Coleman in the backfield. Summerset described his team’s offense as super-athletic and fast. “Personally, I don’t think anyone can stop us,” he said.

Proof he’s good: Athleticism. Summerset is known as one of the nation’s elite high jumpers outside of football and his natural athleticism translates to success on the field. For fourth-year coach Clarence McRae, that actually creates a bit of a dilemma. Although Summerset is expected to be the starting quarterback for the second year in a row, McRae voiced the possibility of moving him around. “He’s a dynamic athlete we can use all over the field,” he said. “I have a lot of dynamic players on this team which gives me the opportunity to use him in a lot of different ways.” McRae, who is cousins with Summerset, even joked that his official position should be “Superman.”

Season goal: Get a state championship. Pretty much every player longs for a state title heading into the season but Summerset took his desire to another level. For the first time he can remember, Summerset sat out his club track season this summer to concentrate on football. “I think the time commitment is huge to win a state championship so that’s why I took this summer off and focused on one thing,” he said. Summerset also worked on strengthening his upper body, specifically his shoulders, which has helped improve his accuracy from 2014, when he had a 52.1 completion percentage. The desire to go out on top for Summerset is also because of the possibility that this may be his last football season; he doesn’t have any grid offers but has drawn interest from NAU, New Mexico and New Mexico State.

He said it: “There’s a lot riding on this season but I think I’ll be able to answer.” – Summerset

Arizona line commit Holt lifts Salpointe's hopes 

JUSTIN HOLT

The rundown: Salpointe Catholic, senior, OL/DL, 6-2, 305

Who he is: An Arizona Wildcats commit and the son of former UA lineman Julius Holt. The three-year starter is fired up heading into his fourth and final season with the Lancers and is poised to make an even bigger impact with a move from the inside to defensive end. Additionally, Salpointe coach Dennis Bene said Holt will see time at center and will be a huge factor in bulking up the offensive line with returning tackles Andrew Palomares and Dylan Eikmeyer.

Holt said he has grown about an inch since last season and has gotten stronger; he recently squatted 500 pounds and can bench 300 pounds five times. Holt has also gotten faster and was clocked at a 5.62-second 40-yard dash.

He is among the best players in the Southwest and is among the top defensive linemen in Arizona: He was named to the U.S. Army All-American Combine all-star team earlier this year and attended The Opening Regionals in Los Angeles in March.

Proof he’s good: Size and skill. Holt should benefit from his large frame and strength with the move to the outside, but Bene still said he could move back to nose guard or tackle at times, depending on the opponent. Being at defensive end, however, will allow for Holt to have more one-on-one matchups and could keep him from getting double- or triple-teamed in the middle. “I like to play in space and playing at D-end gives me a lot more room to do moves, get my hands right and be quick off the ball,” Holt said.

Season goal: Win a state title. Holt isn’t worried about how many tackles and sacks he gets, saying his main focus is to help the Lancers get their second state championship in three seasons. “That’s at the top of my list above everything else,” Holt said. He is also looking forward to Salpointe’s fourth game of the season, at Ironwood Ridge, and hopes to get a shot at Mountain View in the postseason. Both teams beat the Lancers at home last year.

He said it: “I don’t know if we’ve had a D-lineman as big and as strong as Justin; he’s really a tremendous combination of size and strength. … The expectations are very high for Justin and he should be a really dominant player. I think anything short of that would be disappointing, not only from my perspective, but most definitely from Justin.” – Bene

'RhettRod' hoping for a big season at Foothills 

RHETT RODRIGUEZ

The rundown: Catalina Foothills, junior, QB, 6-0, 190

Who he is: A dual-threat quarterback with two winning seasons under his belt. Rodriguez, the son of Arizona football coach Rich Rodriguez, is poised to take full command of the offense. Rhett Rodriguez — or “RhettRod,” a variation on his dad’s “RichRod” nickname — expects to be even more of a vocal leader on and off the field. Foothills has won 15 games over the last two seasons, with Rodriguez under center, but it has stumbled in the first round of the state playoffs both times. “To have a playoff win, that would just be great for our team,” Rodriguez said. “Of course, a state championship is the ultimate goal.”

Proof he’s good: Football intelligence. Third-year coach Jeff Scurran describes Rodriguez as “a smart person who has grown up around smart coaching.” On top of that, he’s exceptionally athletic, Scurran said. Rodriguez attended the Manning Passing Academy last month and got to absorb even more knowledge from the likes of Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy. The Falcons also shined in several passing tournaments this summer thanks to Rodriguez’s accurate arm and the confidence he’s developed with his deep corps of receivers, Scurran said.

Season goal: Minimize mistakes and score more touchdowns. Rodriguez said he looks back on his mental lapses and errors more than his stats, so the mistakes are something he’s hoping to minimize. Also, Rodriguez threw 15 touchdown passes and rushed for another 10 in 2014 but, this season, the goal is to account for at least 35 scores. “Scoring touchdowns is the greatest part of football,” Rodriguez said. “Especially rushing touchdowns, I love getting them because then everyone gives you a chest bump and gives you all the love.”

He said it: “He reminds me of a golfer that doesn’t have a bad club in his bag. Some guys can hit the short game and some guys can putt. Some guys can hit the fairway stuff and some guys can drive. But Rhett seems to be in balance with all those phases.” – Scurran

I-Ridge's lineman Chase Laurita set to be a two-way factor 

CHASE LAURITA

The rundown: Ironwood Ridge, senior, OL/DL, 6-4, 245

Who he is: A gigantic and exceptionally mobile anchor to an offensive line that cleared the way for 3,500 rushing yards a year ago. Laurita, a quick tackle, believes the Nighthawks can do just as well as they did in 2014, when I-Ridge finished the regular season 9-1 and earned the No. 2 seed in the Division II state playoffs. Seventh-year coach Matt Johnson said Laurita will also have a bigger role as a defensive lineman this season — at nose guard and tackle. Laurita has been a starter on the offensive line in each of the last two seasons, as has senior running back Cole McLafferty, who rushed for 1,079 yards and 14 touchdowns last fall.

Proof he’s good: Football is in his genes. Laurita’s father, Al, was an offensive lineman at Oklahoma under coach Barry Switzer. Chase Laurita also isn’t a normal lineman: While most of his similar counterparts were throwing the discus and shot put during the track season, he was running in the 100- and 200-meter dashes to get faster. In addition to improving his speed, Laurita grew almost 2 inches and added about 15 pounds of muscle.

He received a scholarship offer from Northern Arizona University in the spring and has been in contact with Colorado and Colorado State. Laurita is also waiting to see if he can land an offer from the hometown Arizona Wildcats.

Season goal: Come together as a team, win a state championship. Laurita was pulled up to varsity his freshman year for the postseason, when I-Ridge won its first state title. Since then, though, the Nighthawks are 0 for 2 in postseason games. Laurita is hoping to end that skid and go out on a strong note, especially after the way last year’s season ended with a shocking first-round upset at home against 15th-seeded Sunnyside.

He said it: “I’d like to win as many games as possible, come out to our full potential. I feel like that’s what we didn’t do last year, play to our full potential. And I feel like we can work hard and do that this year.” — Laurita

Flores aiming to get Flowing Wells into the playoffs 

DIONTE FLORES

The rundown: Flowing Wells, senior, RB/DB, 5 feet 10 inches, 180 pounds

Who he is: Flores was one of the state’s top rushers in 2014 and is arguably Southern Arizona’s most exciting player heading into this season. The three-year starter rushed for 1,423 yards and accounted for 26 touchdowns last year as the Caballeros finished 7-3, their best record since 2001. Flores will remain the team’s go-to guy in the backfield and will also be a factor defensively as a corner and possibly an end. He’s able to make a lot of good things happen, regardless of where he is on the field, coach Mark Brunenkant said. Although Flores hasn’t gotten any official college offers, he’s drawn plenty of interest from schools such as Montana, Northern Arizona, San Diego State and South Dakota State.

Proof he’s good: The numbers. Flores scored 10 more touchdowns last year than in 2013, and rushed for almost 200 more yards; his 8.2 yards per carry was 2 full yards more than his sophomore totals. Flores posted at least 100 yards rushing in eight games, and had four with 200 or more.

But more important than the numbers Flores put up was the team’s win total: Flowing Wells won seven games last season after going just 1-9 in 2013. Flores’ personality helps makes everyone around him better, Brunenkant said.

Season goal: Flores said he wants to be better than he was last year and, in turn, help the Caballeros reach the postseason for the first time since 2001. Flowing Wells narrowly missed the playoffs a year ago; a move down to Division IV should make the road easier this fall.

He said it: “He has a special awareness on the field and is instinctively very good. He’s been that way since his freshman year and you can’t teach that. He makes bad plays into good ones on both sides of the ball and I just tease people that that’s good coaching.” – Brunenkant

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More high school football coverage 

Click the links below for more high school football coverage. 

Gridiron Guide: Tour of Tucson's football stadiums 

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