SUNSET REGION FOOTBALL CAPSULES

SOUTHWEST DIVISION

BISHOP GORMAN

Coach: Bob Altshuler, first year

2006 record: 6-5 (4-2 Southwest)

Returning starters: 10 offense, six defense

Top players: FB/SS Beau Orth (Sr., 6-0, 190), RB Keola Antolin (Sr., 5-9, 185), CB Josh Jordan (Sr., 5-10, 175), DE Justin Chaisson (Jr., 6-3, 265), C Luke Culley (Sr., 6-1, 220), TE/DE Alex Turner (So., 6-2, 230), LB Nick Nicastro (Sr., 5-10, 205), WR/CB Kamana Kaimikaua (Sr., 6-2, 185), OT/DT Sam Womack (Jr., 6-1, 220), DT Matt Gates (Sr., 6-2, 230), QB Dylan Barrera (Sr., 5-9, 170), K Mike Levine (Sr., 5-10, 165), WR/CB Trey Mays (Sr., 5-9, 165)

Outlook: The Gaels have plenty of talent but will need to come together quickly under a new coach.

Altshuler said the team will employ multiple offensive sets and show varied defensive fronts.

The Gaels have plenty of experience, led by all-division players Antolin, Chaisson, Nicastro, Barrera and Levine.

Antolin, who has committed to Arizona, should carry the load on offense with the graduation of Corey White (1,314 rushing yards). Antolin rushed for 918 yards and 11 TDs and caught 33 passes for 518 yards and six scores.

Chaisson and Nicastro should lead the defense, which will benefit from having Jordan this season. Jordan, who has committed to Arizona State, sat out last year after transferring from Shadow Ridge.

BONANZA

Coach: Shawn Dupris, first year

2006 record: 2-8 (1-5 Southwest)

Returning starters: Two offense, four defense

Top players: FS Jordan Johnson (Sr., 6-1, 210), NT Gilbert Mata (Sr., 5-10, 250), RB Ryan Martin (Jr., 5-8, 170), C Rodney Haas (Sr., 5-10, 240)

Outlook: Dupris inherits a team that has won three games the last two years. The Bengals’ only league wins in that time came against a Clark team that has dropped 41 straight games.

The coach, who was an assistant at Centennial last season, hopes a change in attitude is what the team needs.

“We’re taking the attitude that last year, the year before, the 10 years previous to that don’t count,” Dupris said. “Everything’s different, and I think it shows.”

Dupris will scrap last year’s double-wing offense for a spread offense featuring multiple formations. He says many sophomores and juniors will be significant contributors and that someone must replace graduated all-state receiver Reggie Davis (55 catches, 903 yards, eight TDs), who was the team’s only consistent offensive weapon last year.

CLARK

Coach: Don Willis, second year (0-9)

2006 record: 0-9 (0-6 Southwest)

Returning starters: Four offense, six defense

Top players: DB Rico Torres (Sr., 5-7, 140), OL Davey Ho (Sr., 6-2, 272), RB/DB Dimarko Shoulders (Sr., 5-9, 144), TE/DE Tyson Carter (Sr., 6-2, 185), OL/LB Freddie Banales (Sr., 5-10, 205)

Outlook: Having Willis back for a second season should help the Chargers, who haven’t won since Oct. 12, 2002, a streak of 41 games.

“It’s huge,” Willis said. “Most of these kids haven’t had the same people in charge for three or four years, so I think that’s a big step for us.”

Willis said most of the team’s expected starters were part of the program a year ago, so they gained experience and understanding of the system.

“Last year, I was starting three offensive linemen, and it was their first year of playing football,” Willis said. “That’s never good on the varsity level.”

DURANGO

Coach: Bobby Reda, first year

2006 record: 5-5 (2-4 Southwest)

Returning starters: Two offense, four defense

Top players: RB/LB Ryan Kuehl (Sr., 5-11, 195), QB Stevie Flores (Sr., 5-10, 175), OLB/TE Robert Fundalea (Sr., 6-0, 195), WR/RB/FS Thomas Flanigan (So., 5-8, 165)

Outlook: Reda, who was the defensive coordinator at Cheyenne from 2000 to 2003, inherits a team without much experience.

But the Trailblazers return their top offensive player in Kuehl. He earned second-team All-Southwest Division honors after rushing for 1,110 yards and 10 TDs. Flores played free safety last year, and Reda likes his new quarterback’s leadership ability.

Depth is a question, especially on the lines, and Reda said the team will carry fewer than 30 players on the varsity.

SIERRA VISTA

Coach: Mark Sauve, third year (9-11)

2006 record: 7-3 (4-2 Southwest)

Returning starters: Four offense, four defense

Top players: TE/LB Joe White (Sr., 6-2, 210), RB/S Akil Sharp (Jr., 5-10, 190), QB Emir Lopez (Jr., 6-0, 190), WR/FB Chris Krumme (Sr., 5-9, 180), LB Steven Lockhart (Sr., 5-11, 210), WR/DB Cejay Ceniza (Sr., 5-11, 175)

Outlook: The Lions surprised some a year ago, rebounding from a 2-8 season to make the playoffs.

This year, Sierra Vista must find a replacement for graduated running back Brad Blankenship. Blankenship was voted the Southwest Division Offensive Player of the Year, rushing for 1,402 yards and 22 TDs. Sauve believes the team’s offense can be more balanced without Blankenship. Teams often had nine defenders in the box to stop the run last season.

The strong-armed Lopez takes over at quarterback and should help the offense be more balanced. Sauve said this year’s receivers have shown better hands, as well.

Sharp, who rushed for 307 yards backing up Blankenship, will start at running back and get help from junior Garlend Lathem. Krumme, who started at quarterback last season, will play a utility role this year, seeing time at fullback, as a slot receiver and as the special teams captain.

White could be a pivotal player. He’s the most experienced player on the offensive line, which will start two sophomores, and also will play on defense. Lockhart, a transfer from Missouri, figures to help the defense.

SPRING VALLEY

Coach: Johnny Macon, fourth year (11-20)

2006 record: 7-4 (5-1 Southwest)

Returning starters: 10 offense, nine defense

Top players: QB Kyle Wolak (Sr., 5-11, 185), FB Stefan Klein (Sr., 5-11, 205), RB Eric Dyer (Sr., 5-10, 205), G Mike Muise (Sr., 6-1, 260), WR Brandon Weisenberger (Sr., 6-0, 170), FS Corbin Brown (Sr., 6-1, 170), CB Perry Martin (Sr., 5-8, 175), CB Jermaine Hall (Sr., 6-0, 175), MLB Jeremy Kadoich (Sr., 5-11, 205), OLB Travis Harris (Sr., 5-11, 180), DL Victor Haehnal (Sr., 5-8, 210)

Outlook: The Grizzlies made their move toward the top of the division last season, and Macon hopes that was just the beginning for the fourth-year school.

Few teams have as much experience as Spring Valley, which returns nearly all of its starters. Macon said that experience could hurt the team if the players don’t continue to strive to improve.

“If you’re not a constant student of the game, you’re not going to get any better, and that’s the things we’re trying to get these guys to understand,” Macon said.

Wolak, a second-team All-Sunset Region quarterback, returns to lead the offense after throwing for 1,513 yards and 14 TDs as a junior. Macon is confident in the passing game with Wolak, Weisenberger (26 catches, 476 yards) and Martin (29 catches, 365 yards), but the running game might determine how far the team goes.

The team’s top two rushers — Dyer (444 yards) and Klein (308 yards) — return, but the team will need to improve in that area to go deeper into the playoffs. Macon said the running game’s effectiveness will hinge on the offensive line.

Brown, an all-state safety and Southwest Division Defensive Player of the Year, returns to lead the defense along with all-division defenders Haehnal, Kadoich and Harris.

WESTERN

Coach: Brian Murray, fourth year (16-16)

2006 record: 5-6 (5-1 Southwest)

Returning starters: Five offense, five defense

Top players: G/DE Lawrence Guy (Sr., 6-5, 280), WR Phillip Payne (Sr., 6-3, 200), RB/DB Reggie Bullock (Jr., 5-9, 160), SS Kemontre Stewart (Sr., 6-1, 160), QB J.D. Buonantony (Sr., 6-1, 190)

Outlook: The Warriors had a dismal start a year ago but finished strong to take the division’s top playoff seed, and the team returns many of its top players this year.

Guy is the top returner, after earning all-state defensive line honors last season. He is one of three returning starters on the offensive line, which will help open holes for the explosive Bullock. He rushed for 1,031 yards and 12 TDs and caught 28 passes for 554 yards and five scores as a sophomore.

Payne, who caught 38 passes for 666 yards and 10 TDs, returns to give the Warriors another weapon, and two Palo Verde transfers — quarterback Buonantony and receiver Ryan Patterson — figure to help the offense. Both of those players were among six Palo Verde students who pleaded guilty to felony conspiracy to commit arson charges.

Buonantony will take over at quarterback for James Smith, who passed for 1,580 yards and 17 TDs last season. Smith will become a utility player, seeing time as a slot receiver and at running back.

Bullock, who was a second-team All-Sunset defensive back, joins defensive leader Stewart in what should be a strong secondary. Depth might be the biggest question for the Warriors, who are carrying just 30 players.

NORTHWEST DIVISION

ARBOR VIEW

Coach: Dan Barnson, first year

2006 record: 1-9 (0-6 Northwest)

Returning starters: Six offense, five defense

Top players: WB/CB Greg Gloria (Sr., 5-8, 165), OL/DL Justin Karas (Sr., 6-4, 235), OL/DL James Rodrigues (Sr., 5-11, 225), OL/DL Nico Munoz (Sr., 6-2, 250)

Outlook: The Aggies will switch to the double wing under first-year head coach Dan Barnson, who coached the school’s junior varsity last season.

The team had one victory last year but was in many games in the second half. The Aggies had a two-point loss to Bonanza and a one-point loss to Desert Pines.

Gloria leads by example, Barnson said. He is the team’s top returning rusher, after gaining 512 yards last season, and was a second-team All-Northwest Division pick at defensive back.

Munoz, Rodrigues and Karas give the team experience on the line.

CENTENNIAL

Coach: George Baker, first year

2006 record: 5-5 (2-4 Northwest)

Returning starters: Two offense, six defense

Top players: QB/FS Tyson Turley (Sr., 6-3, 180), RB/DB Torrence Whalum (Sr., 5-10, 170), RB/LB Julius Smith (Jr., 6-2, 195), LB/TE Sean Cody (Sr., 6-1, 205), CB Stephen Dickerson (Sr., 5-11, 150), DT Billy Smith (Jr., 6-1, 290), FS/WR Matt Holley (Jr., 6-1, 190)

Outlook: Baker, who spent the last two years as an assistant for the Bulldogs, hopes to get the team into the playoffs this season.

Baker will retain the same multiple I-formation offense the team ran last year but must find a way to replace all-league quarterback Mike Tagliaferri and all-league receivers Austin Hill and Zach McCoy.

Baker believes Turley will be another strong leader under center and expects Whalum (569 yards, six TDs) to have a stronger season running the football.

Cody and Holley, both second-team All-Northwest Division picks, will help spearhead a defense that Baker hopes is more aggressive this season.

CHEYENNE

Coach: Charles Anthony, fourth year (24-10)

2006 record: 8-4 (4-2 Northwest)

Returning starters: Seven offense, nine defense

Top players: OLB/TE D’Angelo Butler (Sr., 6-2, 210), RB/LB Anthony Johnson (Sr., 5-8, 185), RB V’Son Milton (Sr., 5-6, 175), DL Cody Brown (Sr., 6-1, 220), QB/FS Jacorey Lefear (Sr., 5-11, 170)

Outlook: The Desert Shields should be among the area’s top teams with plenty of experience from a talented 2006 team that advanced to the Sunset Regional title game.

Butler, a first-team All-Sunset pick last year, will lead a strong and experienced defensive unit. Milton, a second-team All-Sunset pick who rushed for 703 yards and 10 TDs, leads an explosive group of running backs.

Anthony said the team will primarily employ the spread offense this year after mostly using three-back sets last season.

Lefear and sophomore Chris Spencer will battle for the quarterback spot.

“These guys, they’re kind of seasoned after that one year of getting their feet wet,” Anthony said. “Now is the time for them to put it all together.”

CIMARRON-MEMORIAL

Coach: Ron Smeltzer, fifth year (34-12)

2006 record: 10-1 (6-0 Northwest)

Returning starters: Five offense, six defense

Top players: OT/DT Shane Kanie (Sr., 6-0, 236), C Hunter Allen (Sr., 5-10, 184), DT Jordan Padgett (Jr., 5-10, 246), TE/SS Darius Hogans (Sr., 5-11, 183)

Outlook: The Spartans had a great year before being upset in the first round of the playoffs but must replace four all-staters from last year’s squad, three of whom are playing Division I football.

“We had a hell of a team last year,” Smeltzer said. “Some of the younger guys have to step up.”

Transfers also figure to help the team. Running back Rashan Lawrence ran for 1,468 yards and 20 TDs at Palo Verde last year. Lawrence was one of six Palo Verde students to plead guilty to a felony count of conspiracy to commit arson. Another former Palo Verde teammate who pleaded guilty to the same count, Travis Skochenko, also is playing for Cimarron.

Smeltzer said the team is relying on some seniors who haven’t played much football, so their quick development will be key.

LEGACY

Coach: Dave Snyder, second year (1-7)

2006 record: 1-7 (Independent)

Returning starters: Five offense, four defense

Top players: OL/DL Ramon Sainz (Sr., 5-11, 265), RB/LB Robert McCoy (Sr., 5-10, 175), FB Eric Sanders (Sr., 5-9, 260), TE William Purcell (So., 6-2, 200)

Outlook: Like most first-year programs, the Longhorns struggled last season. The team’s lone win came against Las Vegas’ junior varsity, but Snyder hopes having a senior class will help this year.

Legacy has eight seniors, some of whom didn’t play last year, but Snyder hopes they provide leadership that will show on the field. The team still is young, with more than half its roster made up of sophomores.

Still, Snyder believes the team can finish in the middle of the pack in the Northwest and contend for a playoff berth.

MOJAVE

Coach: Tyrone Armstrong, fifth year (12-26)

2006 record: 5-5 (2-4 Northwest)

Returning starters: Six offense, six defense

Top players: Not available

Outlook: The Rattlers have made strides the last couple of seasons but didn’t get over the hump to make the playoffs. Mojave was 3-1 heading into league play last season but struggled in the rugged Northwest Division.

“That’s why we’ve been kind of critical of our kids now, because we’ve been starting out like gangbusters in the beginning, and it’s been catching up with us when we get to league play,” Armstrong said. “We’re trying to get everybody to come together, and we’re going to peak at the right time.”

Senior Jordan Cannon will take over at quarterback this season, leading Mojave’s wing-T offense. Cannon also will start in the secondary for a third season.

Mojave will have plenty of options at running back, with fullbacks Reggie Powers and Justin Armstrong, wingbacks Deandre Taylor and Chris McSwain and combo-back Maurice Cotton leading the way.

Armstrong said the team hopes to employ a more aggressive approach on defense this season.

“We just call it the sick ’em defense,” Armstrong said. “We’re going to come after you.”

PALO VERDE

Coach: Darwin Rost, 12th year (71-33)

2006 record: 9-4 (3-3 Northwest)

Returning starters: Six offense, seven defense

Top players: RB/DB Rockney Ricafrente (Sr., 5-6, 150), RB/DB Torin Harris (Jr., 6-0, 175), RB/LB Chaz Thomas (Jr., 5-10, 195), FB/LB Dave Castro (Jr., 5-9, 215), OT/DT Ethan Drellack (Sr., 6-7, 230), OT/DE Elliott Gafford (Sr., 6-0, 225), TE/DE Mitch LaMonte (Sr., 6-3, 185), QB Jahari Selmon (So., 5-8, 140), RB/S/LB Tyrone Blake (So., 5-10, 175)

Outlook: The Panthers surprised Rost with their success last season, advancing to the state semifinals for a fifth straight year. But the season ended on a sour note when four players were arrested on arson charges on the Wednesday before the state semifinal, including quarterback J.D. Buonantony, leading rusher Rashan Lawrence and top receiver Ryan Patterson. Six Palo Verde students eventually pleaded guilty to felony conspiracy to commit arson charges, and all the players are at other schools.

Rost said the team put that behind it quickly and that this year’s seniors and juniors get along well.

Ricafrente rushed for 736 yards and seven TDs last season and will lead the Panthers’ double-wing offense. Rost has plenty of other running back options, led by Harris, Thomas and Blake.

Selmon was forced to play quarterback in the state semifinal game after Buonantony’s arrest, and he struggled. Selmon should be more prepared for the job this season, though.

Rost said line play will be a key. Drellack, a second-team All-Sunset Region offensive tackle, figures to lead both lines.

SHADOW RIDGE

Coach: Gabe Gledhill, first year

2006 record: 8-4 (4-2 Northwest)

Returning starters: Five offense, four defense

Top players: LB/WB Preston Davis (Sr., 6-3, 190), QB/LB Chris Jones (Sr., 6-3, 185), OT Robert Drye (Sr., 6-4, 285), LB/FB Tavis Brown (Sr., 6-2, 225), FS Gabe Toney (Jr., 5-11, 180)

Outlook: Gledhill believes a strong defensive group will help the Mustangs vie for a playoff spot in a tough league. Toney was a second-team All-Sunset Region pick as a sophomore and returns at free safety. Davis, a second-team All-Northwest Division pick at defensive back and wide receiver, moves to linebacker, where the Mustangs should be strong with Jones and Brown.

Gledhill said he didn’t make many changes to the defense and hopes to pressure other teams and take advantage of his squad’s speed.

On offense, Gledhill has installed a wing-T set. Jones, who didn’t play quarterback last year, has taken over, and Gledhill said the senior will be like a fourth running back. Drye, a second-team All-Northwest pick last year, leads the offensive line.