By Don Ketchum

There is no shortage of bodies for Avondale Westview’s football program.

Coach Jeff Bowen reports that there were 164 players out for spring ball, counting all three levels.

Forty of them (12 starters) will return to a varsity squad that finished 10-3 last season and defeated Goodyear Millennium and Anthem Boulder Creek before falling to eventual Class 5A Division II champion Scottsdale Chaparral in the semifinals.

The Knights will be part of the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s new Division I Section I alignment, joining the likes of Phoenix Carl Hayden, Surprise Valley Vista, Yuma Cibola, Phoenix St. Mary’s, Phoenix Maryvale, Phoenix Alhambra, Phoenix Trevor Browne, Tolleson, Phoenix North, Phoenix Central, Yuma Kofa and San Luis.

“The kids worked hard all spring and now we want to keep it going,’’ Bowen said.

Westview will participate in a seven-on-seven tournament at Arizona State, another at Valley Vista and a third in Surprise as part of the Arizona Football Coaches Association All-Star festivities in late June.

Among the top returning players are linebacker Chuks Amaechi, defensive back Jordan Keel, and safety Robert Mendez. Bowen said Mendez had an especially good spring.

The Knights appear to have another strong running game, led by junior Seivion Morris. He rushed for 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore last season. Shayne Miller also is expected to get his share of carries.