FORMER POWER ST. MARY’S TRIES TO SURVIVE IN 5A-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

The Knights from Phoenix St. Mary’s aren’t looking for sympathy.

Yes, they play defending Class 5A Division I champion Chandler Hamilton in the season opener on Aug. 27 and know the odds are against them, particularly since Hamilton won its opening game 24-17 over Las Vegas Bishop Gorman in the Sollenberger Classic in Flagstaff.

What St. Mary’s coach Eddy Zubey would like to see is some improvement and potential out of his young team. If he can get that, it would go a long way toward survival in the 5A Desert Valley Region.

St. Mary’s likely will try to run the ball first, with three junior running backs, and see if it can diversify from there.

The 5A Desert West Region is loaded with teams such as Peoria Centennial and Avondale Westview, a difficult task for Laveen Cesar Chavez to overcome. The team also recently learned that it has been placed on probation by the Arizona Interscholastic Association for the second straight year and will not be eligible for the playoffs.

In 2009, Phoenix Trevor Browne regained some of its former luster with a 7-4 finish in the 5A Metro Region and a playoff spot under coach Randy Gross, a Bruins alumnus. The team is looking to equal or better that effort this season.

Gross’ top player is senior David Robles, a three-year starter and one of the most underrated defensive backs in the state. This year, Robles will add running back to his resume.

Robles will have plenty of quality teammates for support: quarterback Matt Shurtleff, fullback-linebacker Anthony Rivera, tight end-linebacker Gilbert Enriquez, center-defensive lineman Edgar Chavez, two-way lineman David Morales, tight end-free safety Gilberto Lopez and running back-defensive back Richard Turner.

Phoenix Alhambra should be able to be in the Metro mix under longtime coach Frank Lautt.

His top player is linebacker Adam Peralta, a three-year starter and the team’s leading tackler last season. The Lions also return their leading rusher, Keith Newsome, who figures to be improved.

Other key players are fullback Javon Lopez, quarterback-linebacker Miguel Torres, defensive back Sinard Louis, offensive lineman Jonathan Renteria and linebacker Joaquin Arriaga.

Glendale Mountain Ridge has 15 returning starters and should be a contender for the 5A Northwest Region title under coach Bobby Green.

Linebacker Spencer Hammitt showed promise as a sophomore last season and should continue to raise his level of play. On offense, the team will rely on the running of P.J. Sparks.