5A Gila Region Preview
Bottomline
Two teams out of this region, Cibola and Yuma, made the playoffs in 2009. They look to be the favorites but watch out for a Lake Havasu team that slipped in ’09 after being a playoff team previously in a much stronger 4A1 West Valley Region.
Prediction
1. Cibola
2. Lake Havasu
3. Yuma
4. Gila Ridge
5. Kofa
6. San Luis
Breakdown
Cibola: I would call 2009 a success for Lucky Arvizo’s squad. They made the playoffs, beat Yuma, and had both the offensive and defensive players of the year in the region. Unfortunately, they lose a league high 12 all-region performers, including RB Roy Thompson and LB Adrian Lugo. They do get back 9 all-region kids and should challenge for the region title.
Key Losses: RB Roy Thompson, LB Adrian Lugo, OL Robin Acevedo, OL Jeff Bickel, DL Ted Morgan, K Dylan Arviso, LB Cody England, OL Ryan Van Horn, RB Cody Plymale, OL Mike Perales, OL Joe Nielson, LB Blake Brazeel
Key Returners: TE Jacob Gauna, DL Leo Aranda, OL Andre Hernandez, DB Cody Pletsch, DB Braden Easley, WR/DB Jacob Flores, OL Adam Vidal, DB Austin Oliaz, LB Kyle Heredia
Gila Ridge: GR won two close games to close 2009 on the right foot. They finished 4-6 and went 3-2 in region play. Can things get better? They do return 7 all-region players but are going to have to improve on a defense that gave up 35 points per game.
Key Losses: WR L’Jey Younger, DB Nate Pancrazi, OL Esteban Ruenao, OL Angel Marerro, RB/P Javier Bon, DL Justin White, DB Anthony Perez
Key Returners: OL Aaron Bird, QB Mike Pancrazi, LB Andy Meza, WR Corey Semler, DL Luke Eglof, LB Rory Stewart, RB Kevin Harold
Kofa: Replacing Timmy Lee and Lucky Castaneda and their 2,000 + yards of offense is paramount. WR Dominic Castaneda is the only al-region player returning off of this 4-6 squad.
Key Losses: RB Timmy Lee, DL Tyler Masson, RB/DB Tevin Alford, LB Trevor Montgomery, QB Lucky Castaneda, OL Kyle Harper, DB Phuc Cao
Key Returners: WR Dominic Castaneda
Lake Havasu: The Knights were a major disappointment in 2009, going just 1-4 in region play despite having the league’s #2 offense. The good news is they had several close games and have 20 players returning. OL Adrian Gonzalez is possibly the biggest player in the league standing 6-3 300+. He will open huge holes for RB Max Delia.
Key Losses: DL Ryan Jordan, OL Jesse Ray, QB/P Doug Green, DL Mike Caso, OL Nic Ewald, TE Jeremy Holtzen, DB Dillon Bracamonte, DL Chad Hertz, K Humero Rueda
Key Returners: OL Adrian Gonzalez, LB Max Dreager, WR Chris Larson, RB Max Delia, LB Paul Lake
San Luis: The Sindwinders are going to have to find a way to get better. They averaged just 4 points per game and gave up over 52 per contest. With only two a-region players returning, 2010 could be rough.
Key Losses: OL/DL Gilbert Dominguez, WR Jose Hernandez, DB Peter Lopez, LB Angel Carrasco, OL Adrian Maranon, OL Jose Lopez, DB Arturo Garcia, LB Abraham Ortiz
Key Returners: RB Daniel Slusher, DL Rudy Valdez, QB David Contreras,
Yuma: The Criminals made the playoffs in 2009 and had the #1 offense. 1,000 yard rusher Travon Clark is the workhorse of this team.
Key Losses: QB/LB Donte Jackson, RB JC Baker, WR/DB Andrew Herrarte, OL Mario Castro, OL Mike McAdams, OL Irving Rodriguez, DL Pete Franks, DL Marquan Williams, LB Juan Chavez
Key Returners: OL Matt Clifton, RB Anthony Jackson, RB Travon Clark
Coach of the Year: Lucy Arviso - Cibola
Offensive Player of the Year: RB Travon Clark - Yuma
Defensive Player of the Year: DL Leo Aranda Cibola
Top 5 Players
1. Travon Clark – RB Yuma
2. Adrian Gonzalez – OL Havasu
3. Leo Aranda – DL Cibola
4. Max Dreager – LB Havasu
5. Dominic Castaneda – WR Kofa