THIS COULD BE SCOTTSDALE CHRISTIAN’S YEAR IN 2A

Note: This preview focuses on schools throughout the City of Phoenix, the northwest and southwest Valley, western, northern and northeastern Arizona.

By Don Ketchum

All those fancy electronic map and location devices will show you that Scottsdale Christian Academy is not in Scottsdale, but in Phoenix.

Confusing? Perhaps. But don’t worry too much. The Eagles know where they are supposed to be and, on the football field, know where they are going.

Up.

The team is expected to make a big run at the Class 2A championship in 2010, which would be the school’s first in 11-man ball. The team shared the Class 1A eight-man title with Williams in 1989 and finished state runner-up in 1988 and 1996.

In order to be able to hoist the championship banner, however, coach Jeff Fox and his SCA squad first must find a way to get through the tough 2A Central Region, which features defending state champion Chandler Valley Christian, among others.

Scottsdale Christian will be defense-oriented, with several key players returning, including lineman Luke Siwek. The trick will be to have the offense put enough points on the board. It all starts with quarterback Miller Bentley.

Valley Christian might find things a little more difficult than in recent seasons. Quarterback-safety Jordan Morgan, The Arizona Republic’s Small School Player of the Year as a junior in 2009, has transferred to Class 3A Lakeside Blue Ridge. Morgan’s father, Bill, stepped down as Valley Christian’s head coach, opening the door for assistant Kevin Allen.

Phoenix Northwest Christian features one of the top running backs in any classification, Casey Jahn. That should help enable the Crusaders to move into the ranks of the contenders.

Camp Verde fell to Scottsdale Christian in the first round of the playoffs last season. The Cowboys have a solid group of players returning from a 6-5 finish and a junior-varsity team that was 6-2. Coach Luke Steege and his team could pull a surprise or two.

Jake Spleiss, a quarterback and linebacker, is perhaps the team’s top player. Other key players are defensive end Cameron Stewart, safety-running back Tanner Rezonico, cornerback-receiver Austin Bower and linebacker-running back Deshon Tripp.

The 2A West Region likely will feature an open race, with 2009 semifinalist Yuma Catholic perhaps rating a slight edge. Coach Rhett Stallworth’s team is led by linebacker Ryan Gill.

Coach Bob Denson and his Phoenix Christian team are seeking to rebound from a subpar season.

Phoenix Bourgade Catholic wants to be in the mix, and coach Chris Andreadis has one of 2A’s top quarterbacks in Blake Comella, a first-team all-region pick a year ago.

The Golden Eagles also will rely on defensive end-tight end Nate Olson, linebacker Nate Rodriguez, receiver-defensive back Blake Heinley, two-way linemen Frank Rivera, Evan Barazza and Josh Reyes, running back-linebacker Ryan Burke and tight end-defensive back Joe Gallucci.

First-year coach Ray Karvis has a young, eager group of players who hope to establish themselves in the West.

The team’s tri-captains are senior running back-linebacker Ryan Pierce, junior quarterback and safety Deonte Smith and junior guard-linebacker Jeff Tilivala. Pierce and Smith were all-region selections last season.

Phoenix Arizona Lutheran also will be young, led by junior running back Ben Grams.

St. Johns likely will take its customary spot atop the 2A North Region. Despite the graduation of star Shad Bride, the team managed to reach the semifinals a year ago and has another strong group of players ready to go for coach Mike Morgan.

The team is led by seniors Zach Wengert, a defensive lineman, and Travis Wahl, a wide receiver.

Williams could challenge St. Johns. The team finished 8-3 in coach Rick Brownlee’s first season after making the jump to 11-man ball from eight-man.

“We plan to shake up the 2A North and 2A,’’ Brownlee said.

Williams participated in a passing league in Sedona this summer and finished a respectable third. The Vikings are led by quarterback Darius Brown, receiver-cornerback Jamal Drake, two-way lineman Cristian Prieto and running back-strong safety Wes King.

Red Mesa has a new coach, Jerome Blackwater, who replaces Pita Olomua.