PEORIA, BRADSHAW MOUNTAIN ARE CHALLENGERS IN 4A-I

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

By Don Ketchum

With high-profile running back Ka’Deem Carey carrying the ball, Tucson Canyon del Oro is a strong candidate to win its second straight Class 4A Division I football title.

Are there any teams from Phoenix or the northern part of the state capable of making life difficult for the Dorados?

The West Valley Region has two possibilities, Peoria and Prescott Valley Bradshaw Mountain.

Guided by longtime coach Doug Clapp, Peoria is coming off a region championship season at 8-3.

Five players form the nucleus for the Panthers – linebacker Dylan Contreras, quarterback Caleb Gillespie, defensive back Danny Hattabaug, free safety Chris Morales and linebacker LaVonte Lewis.

Coach Chuck Apap again will be on the sideline for Bradshaw Mountain, and he lists several key players for 2010: center Brady Cabral (6-feet-4, 303 pounds), running back Shaun Do, running back John Kelley, wide receiver James Reyes, running back Andy Rosas and defensive end Eric Jolley.

Apap doesn’t mince words when he said, “We have a very good team this year.’’

Peoria Sunrise Mountain could develop into a region contender if the players can adjust to new coach James Carter.

Carter’s top players are cornerback Dre Bookman, cornerback Richard Genero, linebacker Tony Troftgruben, cornerback K.J. Heddings, cornerback Josh Castro, defensive back Kyle Ziemer, defensive end Cameron Ford, linebacker Andrew Yanes, defensive lineman Jacob Greenwell, defensive lineman Bryce Brumagin, linebacker Shane Johnson, and defensive end Cameron Colman.

In the aftermath of a 0-10 finish, Glendale Copper Canyon is ready to put itself back on the map under coach Michael Segovia. The team has six returnees on offense, five on defense.

At 6-2 and 250 pounds, Ryan Mcle is expected to anchor the offensive line. Junior Michael Grubbs, the team’s leading rusher last season, is back. Segovia likes the ability and leadership of middle linebacker Tyler Rucker. Junior cornerback Monzell Childress is one of the top players in the secondary.

At Avondale Agua Fria, coach Kelly Epley is hoping that running back Keith Huckaby has inherited some of the ability of his father, Keith Sr., a former star for the Owls.

Glendale Raymond S. Kellis traditionally has had a hard-hitting defense, and this year should be no different. Nine defensive starters return for coach Jason Golden.

El Mirage Dysart looks to establish some stability with new coach Andrew Garrett.

Glendale Apollo coach Zack Threadgill was a quarterback at the school, and he takes pride in trying to develop Jon Brown as the team’s signal caller this season. Brown threw 25 touchdown passes in 2009 and is one of the main reasons why the Hawks are the most likely team to emerge at the top of the Western Sky Region standings.

Former Goodyear Millennium coach Mark Smith is slowly but surely finding this region to be more to his liking for Moon Valley’s Rockets.

Another former quarterback, Mike Giovando (Scottsdale Coronado), is the new coach at Phoenix Shadow Mountain. If he can develop a quarterback to get the ball to receiver Ian Juede, the Matadors might be able to make significant strides.

Linebacker Luke Berve is the leader for coach Lou Beneitone at Prescott High, which usually is tough at home.

Rounding out the region are Glendale, Glendale Independence and Phoenix Sunnyslope.