The Arizona Interscholastic Association’s three-week period for spring football ended May 18.

Here is a brief look at some of the programs from this author’s area of coverage, from north Phoenix, the southwest and northwest Valley and northern Arizona . . .

Goodyear Desert Edge

Coach Rich Wellbrock reports that practices went well for the 2012 Division III runner-up.

“I was pleased with the tempo and could tell how hard the kids worked in the off-season,’’ he said.

Wellbrock listed four players among those expected to play key roles. They are wide receiver-linebacker Ismael Murphy-Richardson, wide receiver-defensive back Elijah Marks, running back-defensive back Raheem Dowdell and running back-defensive back Jordan Jackson.

Development of depth and leadership also was a key issue.

The Scorpions are expected to participate in various passing tournaments in the coming weeks, including one at UCLA. Their pre-season camp will be held in Payson.

Phoenix Horizon

First-year coach Kris Heavner talked about the enthusiasm displayed by those in his program, numbering more than 100 strong.

Heavner, a former University of Arizona quarterback who was head coach at Tucson Santa Rita last season, also has a core of four key players.

Start with defensive lineman Jake Grant, who is receiving strong looks from NCAA Division I schools such as Arizona and Notre Dame.

Wide receiver-outside linebacker Kristian Salinas also is receiving attention from some D-I schools and is one of the team’s hardest workers. Heavner likes his explosive speed.

Wide receiver-defensive back-punter Spencer Marciniak also has good speed and has been contacted by some D-I schools.

Heavner’s former position at Arizona has him leaning on Dalton Sneed to provide leadership and results on the field. Sneed got a taste of varsity play last year as a sophomore while the older signal-callers dealt with injuries, and showed a great deal of promise.

Heavner also expects to receive a boost from defensive coordinator Willie Dudley, a veteran of Arizona coaching circles who was the head coach at Phoenix Scottsdale Christian last season. Dudley also has been head coach at Marana, near Tucson, and Tempe Marcos de Niza.

The Huskies will participate in passing competition at Arizona’s three universities as well as the annual competition in Surprise, coming up later in June.

Phoenix Northwest Christian

Winning the Division V state title has had a residual effect here, where coach David Inness had a record number of players out for spring ball, as many as 65 with an average of 50.

The Crusaders will be young, but they will be good and likely challenge for another crown.

“We have a chance to be a really good team with as many as 15 underclassmen starting,’’ Inness said.

Among the team’s top players are defensive linemen Will Gades and Parker Valerius. Inness’ son, Drew, will take over at quarterback. And linebacker Matt Delos is back with a 41-game starting streak and a 12-tackle performance in the state-championship win over Morenci.

Northwest Christian will participate in passing leagues around the state and at San Diego State, and will have a three-day preseason camp in Flagstaff beginning July 31.

Phoenix Paradise Valley

Donnie Yantis is optimistic about his team after leading the group through what might have been the best spring in his 14 seasons.

He said his team will have the most depth as it has in the last five years.

Quarterback Ryan Finley has departed for Boise State, but Yantis’ offense appears to be in capable hands with Trent Gavelek. Yantis said Gavelek is picking up the new running game that includes many option concepts.

In Jordan Brown, Yantis says he has one of the state’s “sleepers’’ at wide receiver. Brown also excels as a defensive back.

Several Division I schools are taking a close look at safety-linebacker Max VanKampen, who Yantis says has the speed of a defensive back and the strength of a linebacker.

This group also should be one of the school’s fastest, with seven starters clocked at 4.7 seconds or faster in the 40.

“We have been emphasizing technique at every position for every coach and player,’’ Yantis said. “We have demanded the effort – our goal is that no one will play as hard as PV.’’

Numerous passing leagues are on the early summer schedule, and the Trojans’ preseason camp will be July 26-31 at Biola University in Los Angeles.

Prescott

The Badgers have been hitting the weights hard and should have a strong season for coach Cody Collett if a group of young players steps up and shows maturity.

“We have had a good spring. The players have adjusted to our tempo well,’’ Collett said.

Prescott is led by Sterling Johnson, a three-year starter at linebacker. Other key players are defensive lineman Jared Tiefenthaler, running back Chris Wright and linebacker-running back Kaine Bayzer.

Avondale Westview

Coach Jeff Bowen always has one of the state’s most consistent programs, and 2013 should be no different. He said the spring went well, with as many as 140 players taking the field.

The Knights’ top players are quarterback Kordell Provchy, running back Jalen Johnson, defensive back Desmond Washington, linebacker Richie Miranda, center Christian Balderas, offensive tackle Manuel Martinez, defensive tackle Diante Flowers and defensive end Cody Carriel.

Westview will be at the passing league and big man camp at Arizona State, the Arizona Football Coaches Association passing competition in Surprise and the Universal Sports Westside passing tournament. The preseason camp will be July 22-26 at Whittier College in southern California.