Site icon News Today

Zone Read: Cody Cameron’s Camp Six-Pack

fauzi11


As fall camps open around Arizona, there is no better time than to step inside the huddle of programs and impactful storylines with games starting later this month.

This week “Zone Read” opened up the playbook for Sports360AZ.com teammate Cody Cameron for this knowledge drop starting at 1A, all the way to 6A.

1A: Mogollon Mustangs

“One of my favorite offseason hires this spring was Mogollon High School announcing Ben Robinson as their new athletic director and head football coach. I’ve known Coach Robinson for 7+ years now, he was the head wrestling coach and a varsity assistant football coach at ALA Ironwood for a couple seasons. He is a tremendous human being and a great role model for student-athletes.

“Mogollon’s football program is dominant in 1A. They’ve won 40+ games in the last 5 years and they’ve won 10+ games numerous times in a season. I fully expect that tradition of winning and excellence to continue with Coach Robinson commanding the ship.”

Season opener: August 21st vs. Mohave Accelerated

2A: San Tan Charter Roadrunners

“I think this is the year of San Tan Charter. In what looks to be their last season in 2A, Chase Cartwright’s group is poised for another great season. I spoke to Coach Cartwright in the spring about this year’s team – he said it was the deepest and strongest team that he’s had since he took over the program in 2022.

“Mike Sheahan’s Scottsdale Christian Academy Eagles have three-peated the 2A state game the recent years, and they are undoubtedly the kings on the throne until someone beats them. These two look like they are on a full-on collision course for the 2A State game in November with their high-level of coaching and talent in both programs. Now if we could just find those teams a venue that wasn’t at a high school that would be great. But that’s a discussion for another time.”

Season opener: August 21st at Apache Junction

3A: Metro Region

“The 3A Metro Region was GREAT last year, and it might even be better this season. ALA Ironwood, Ben Franklin, Crismon, Gilbert Christian, Seton Catholic and Valley Christian are all programs loaded with talent with phenomenal coaching. Seriously, this group might combine for 50 wins this year if they were spread amongst the other regions, but instead they all get to beat each other up in region play.

“Odds are high that we see at least two of these teams make the Top-4 in the 3A Conference. Thatcher, Round Valley (Reigning champs), Payson, Pusch Ridge, and Sabino etc. will all look to prove me wrong.

“I love the 3A Conference and I have zero shame in admitting it’s my favorite football conference in the state.”

4A: Walden Grove Wolves

“The 4A is such a gauntlet every year I love it. To me, this is the most competitive conference in the state, and you see that come playoff time every season when higher seeds consistently knock off one of the top teams.

“Mica Mountain has owned 4A the last two seasons, but it’s another Tucson team that needs to be on people’s radars this Fall and that’s Walden Grove. They have the pieces to be special this season. I spent four days with them at camp this July and observed a few things that championship teams have. Their senior class is full of great players who lead by example. The discipline is taught within, they are willing to receive coaching, and most importantly those kids really enjoy playing the game of football.

“Coach Noble has strong continuity on his staff, and they instill toughness into every team that they have. If that team stays healthy they will make a deep run into the playoffs.”

Season opener: August 28th at Sahuarita 

5A: Balance of Power

“Is it the year of the West Side in 5A? Desert Edge, Millennium, Canyon View – I mean take your pick with those three, all of their rosters are loaded! Desert Edge reminds me of those 2019-2022 Saguaro teams where every position group has a D1 offered player. Coach Lamar Early might have the best Millennium roster he’s ever had. Coach JR Alcantar has an incredible senior class ready to get back to the 5A state title game this Fall.

“Desert Mountain will look to stay on the throne with a LOADED secondary, and ALA Gilbert North, Horizon, Campo Verde, and Marana will all look to make some noise. I could write about so many teams here, but to sum it up this is the best 5A Conference I’ve seen in quite some time. Will make for an amazing November and December.”

6A: O’Connor Eagles

“Of all the teams in 6A, the team that I think is ready to make the biggest jump from last year is O’Connor.

“Ben Kullos is a heck of a football coach, and in year two that team looks like they are ready to get after it this fall. Coach Kullos has added some incredible assistants to his coaching staff and those players have had a tremendous offseason. The weight room numbers and speed times I saw this spring/summer were impressive, and I know Coach Kullos has instilled toughness into those players all offseason.

“O’Connor returns plenty of experience from last year’s team, I really think this could be a team that makes a run in the 6A playoffs this season.”

Season opener: August 28th at Desert Vista





Source link

Exit mobile version