This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Phoenix Sunnyslope’s football team, but somebody forgot to tell the players.

The Vikings finished with a 7-3 record and just missed the playoffs. Sunnyslope, which won 10 or more game in each of its three previous seasons, is accustomed to winning.

But the 2016 roster was filled with underclassmen that lacked athleticism, experience and size.  

“As a coach, we just wanted to see improvement from players,” Sunnyslope head coach Damon Pieri said. “Going in we knew we wouldn’t have the most athletic team. We were sneaky. We crept up on teams, and once the game was over (our opponents) would look around like as if they were asking ‘How’d they beat us?’”

Sunnyslope won its final four games and lost its three games to teams, Oro Valley Ironwood Ridge, Scottsdale Chaparral and Glendale Kellis, that reached the playoffs.

Pieri's squad recorded 1,449 passing yards and 963 rushing yards and will look to improve offensively next year.

“We still have to find an offensive line,” Pieri said. “One that gels. One that’s powerful. One that’s explosive. So that’s going to take some time. As far as skilled players, we have almost everyone coming back.”

On the defensive side, Pieri expects that group to be more physical and create more turnovers next year.

Senior quarterback Eric Espinoza said his team was motived by what skeptics were saying.

“We came in this summer and everyone didn’t believe in us, but as a team we knew we could make the playoffs,” Espinoza said. “But we came up short.”

As the 17^th seed, Sunnyslope missed the playoffs by one spot.

“We won more games then expected, but I feel like we could’ve done way better,” Sunnyslope starting running back junior Marlon Noralez said. “For next year I feel like we’re going to be really good, but it depends on how hard we work.”

Noralez, a junior, led the team with 402 receiving yards, 715 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.

Besides being more of a leader, Noralez said he has to work more in the weight room during the off-season and help get his team focused for next year.

Looking ahead, Sunnyslope is striving to make the playoffs again and ultimately win a championship. Sunnyslope was young and small this past season, but that won’t be the case next year.

“We condition our kids a little more, and I think our kids are a little more disciplined,” Pieri said. “In the long-run little things like that get victories.”

Cruz is covering Sunnyslope High School this semester for azpreps365.com