Coach Tom Joseph (5th season, 25th overall) welcomes back 31 lettermen, including 9 starters (3 offense, 5 defense, 1 kicker). Last years' team finished with 11 wins, and lost to eventual State Champs Brophy Prep in the 5A D1 semi-finals. Coach noted that this year's squad has already distinguished itself by the fact that the team GPA is an astounding 3.425. In a good year, one might expect a prep football team to be at 3.1 or 3.2. What hasn't changed is the trademark Toro weight room, with a welcoming sign that reads: "Where Champions are Built." Lets just say it's the most impressive I have ever seen in a high school facility, along with a year round staff that implement an intensive program for all of their athletes. Coach's comments are in quotes.

The offense will be powered by twin (literally) engines that are built for high performance. Senior QB Riley Nielsen (6-foot-1, 220 lbs, 3.3 GPA) is "smart, athletic, pays attention to details, and is an outstanding leader who makes good decisions." He also excels on the baseball diamond. Brother Ridge (Sr, 6-foot-1, 230 lbs, 3.3 GPA) is a nearly unstoppable RB, who, for the second year in a row, is listed in USA Today as one of the Top 50 players in the Class of 2007. He also plays DE, and is a high achiever on the diamond. Coach adds, "Riley has gotten bigger, and could play on either side of the ball in college." Both brothers are being pursued by numerous schools in the west, among them Brigham Young University, Arizona State, and Utah, with Nebraska leading the way in the Midwest. They have shown a distinct interest in playing together at the next level. Presently, both are leaning toward serving a two-year mission overseas before embarking on a collegiate career.

Returning senior RB Micah Yetter (6-foot-1, 205 lbs, 4.00 GPA) is ideal for the Wing T offense, as he is, "shifty, elusive, strong, and reads blocks well. Micah is a hard runner, with good vision." This versatile triple threat boasts basketball and baseball on his resume. The family tree includes uncle Danny White (ASU, Dallas Cowboys), grandfather Wizzer White (ASU, Chicago Bears), cousin Max Hall (BYU), and brothers Marcus and Nathan that preceded him at Mountain View.

Two veteran seniors return at WR. Steve Frost (5-foot-10, 170 lbs, 3.66 GPA) is "one of the fastest kids on the team, and he has very good hands." Steve is on the track team (long jump and 100 meter dash), and his father Steve was actually an All-State lineman in high school. The other WR is Aaron Rhodes (6-foot-1, 185 lbs, 3.8 GPA), a "great possession receiver. He cuts well, runs precise routes, and is a stickler for details. Aaron has terrific hands, and is a top baseball pitcher."

The returning senior TE has a very recognizable name. Greg Heap (6-foot-3, 200 lbs, 3.7 GPA) has "excellent acceleration, tremendous hands, and a unique ability to release from the defender. Greg has really improved his routes." His brother Todd, of course, plays for the Baltimore Ravens. Greg is not eligible for a mission until 2008 (turns 19 years of age), and the frontrunners for his services are the University of Washington and Arizona State. He is also a high performer on the school basketball team.

Toro linemen are typically not big, but strong and fast. In fact, all of this year's likely starters are under 5.0 in the 40-yard dash. The smaller, quicker linemen are ideal for the aforementioned Wing T, as they pull a lot, and have to be adept at angle blocking. Senior Andy Centner (6-foot-2, 225 lbs) is "very quick off the ball, strong, experienced, smart, and uses his hands well." The center is junior Keith Strickland (5-foot-9, 230 lbs), a "tough, rugged competitor, who is one of our leaders." The starting OG's will be senior Charles Sellers (5-foot-10, 200 lbs), and junior Carlos Saenz (5-foot-9, 195 lbs), and who also wrestles.

The defense is very athletic, and is the "heart and soul" of the Toro team. The returning DB's are special. Senior Kevin Curtis (6-foot-0, 170 lbs) is a "hard hitter, and super quick. He can really sniff out a play." Kevin follows two older brothers, including All-State TE Chad Curtis. The other playmaker in the secondary is senior Jay Willis (5-foot-9, 175 lbs). He's got "speed and strength, hits like a truck, and is the last of four brothers that have played in the fall." A returning DE is senior Geo Alaron (5-foot-9, 190 lbs), who power cleans 335 lbs. The LB corps includes a trio of seniors. They are Saeed Diaz (5-foot-10, 200 lbs), Josh Shill (5-foot-6, 185 lbs), and Cody Lewers (6-foot-0, 215 lbs). Returning to handle kicking duties is junior Kyle Jenkins (5-foot-7, 130 lbs).

The assistant coaches are Mark Swartz (DB/WR), Rusty Pagano (DB/RB), Brad Seibers (TE/LB), and Travis Schurman (OL/DL). This year's team will feature a punishing ground game, and a defense that will rarely give up big plays. The 5A East Valley includes: Red Mountain, Mesa, Westwood, Dobson, and Skyline. The Toros open against preseason 5A DII favorite Centennial, and face the likes of Desert Vista, Gilbert, Sunnyside, and South Mountain. This is a smart, very athletic, and mature defensive club. With two of the most dynamic and explosive offensive players in the state, this is my early season pick to fill one of the Title Game spots in the Arizona Cardinals new stadium in December.

NOTE: Photo Feature of more players coming next week.