Coach Preston Jones (5th year) welcomed back 22 lettermen, including a robust 15 starters (8 offense, 7 defense). The Hawks opened region play two week's ago with a heart stopping 22-21 victory over power Gilbert, with looming contests against No. 1Hamilton and No. 3 Chandler. They followed up with a 35-20 win over Mesquite this past Friday night. Coach's comments below are in quotes.

The offense returns 3 senior linemen that are top position players, and high honor students in the classroom. OT Mark McAllister (6-foot-2, 240 lbs, 4.0 GPA) is a team captain,and "one of the hardest workers on the team." This honorable mention All-Region performer is "very strong, plays with a passion, and is likelyheaded to one of the prestigious Ivy League schools." Back at center is Dominick Ortiz (6-foot-0, 240 lbs, 4.0 GPA), another honorable mention All-Region selection. "Smart, with a solid work ethic, Dominick runs the offensive line. He has strength, smarts, and good footwork. He is very quick off the line for someone his size, andhas few peers at his position in the state. This is another player being pursued by the top academic institutions, including Princeton, Yale, and Brown. A top returning OG is Dennis Plzak (6-foot-1, 240 lbs, 3.8 GPA). "Strong, with a great motor, Dennis has very good technique, and is one of the most popular players on the team." Heplays on the schools basketball team, and is considering accepting a full academic scholarship to Azusa Pacific College.These three players also see considerable playing time on the defensive side of the ball.

The TE is special. Senior returnee Nuku-mo-vahai Latu (6-foot-2, 250 lbs) is a big time prospect. He has "good hands, is strong, and presents as one of the hardest workers in the weight room and in our off-season conditioning program. He is a young senior, has not played a lot of years, and has a terrific upside." This honorable mention All-Region TE has 20 receptions to date, with 2 TD's. He really excels in his blocking assignments, and is getting a lot of interest from Wyoming, Colorado State, and San Diego State." The two senior returning RB's are solid. Two-way player Adrian Ramirez (5-foot-6, 165 lbs, 3.0 GPA) has "a terrific work ethic, a big heart, andplays with sheer intensity." Adrian has rushed for 7 TD's to date, and finished with 140 yards rushing in the win against Paradise Valley. He has also been on the Hawks toprated wrestlingprogram since his freshman year. A solid backfield mate is Anthony Renteria (5-foot-6, 180 lbs, 3.1 GPA). His strengths include "quickness, balance,vision, and he is one tough hombre." This honorable mention All-Region honoree also excells on the wrestling team.

The returning senior QB is Joe Sanchez (6-foot-1, 190lbs, 3.6 GPA). "A smart, very good player, Joe knows our offense, and makes good decisions. He has leadership qualities, which he also used as a starter on defense last year. Joe has good numbers (514 yards, 5 TD's) as we approach the teeth of our schedule. He is also an excellent baseball player. The top WR is two-way performer senior Chasen Halcomb (5-foot-11, 175 lbs, 3.8 GPA). An honorable mention All-Region DB, this highly versatile athlete also returns punts and kickoffs. "He has 175 yards receiving to date, is an excellent blocker at his position, and is one of our defensive leaders at the free safety position. I would call him battle-tested, and along with his superior academic skills, has expressed a keen interest in continuing his playing career in college."

"With so many veterans on defense, we have been able to run a lot more schemes." Returning junior LB Mike Madrid (6-foot-0, 235 lbs, 3.0 GPA) is the teams leading tackler. This honorable mention All-Region LB is "big, strong, and has a nose for the ball. Mike is a physical player with speed, and has excellent work habits. The other tough LB is senior Gareth Ives (5-foot-10, 190 lbs). This leader is "fast, quick, and has a non-stop motor. He really reads the play well." Gareth includes lacrosse onhis resume'. Two senior linemen are standouts. DT Andy D'Esposito (5-foot-8, 185 lbs, 3.2 GPA) is "strong, very quick, and has great pursuit in the backfield. He is difficult to block one-on-one." Andy also runs track (100 meters, shot and discus). DE Matt Brenner (6-foot-2, 265 lbs) is a "big, strong kid, with speed. He is an excellent tackler. This is another player with a non-stop motor, and a passion for the game." He also participates in track (shot, discus).

The defensive secondary is smart and reliable. The senior corner is Jeremy Traasdahl (5-foot-11, 155 lbs), who also starts at WR. This 2nd team All-Region DB has "abig heart, and makes clutch plays. Teams rarely go in his direction on 3rd down." The other DB is junior Chase Garrett (5-foot-11, 145 lbs, 3.8 GPA), who is "quick, fast, and smart." The safety is junior Dylan Jones (6-foot-1, 195 lbs, 3.5 GPA). This is a "very physical, tough player, who has the speed to pursue the ball sideline to sideline. Dylan is a solid tackler, with good vision and playmaking ability." This multi-talented athlete also excelson the basketball and lacrosse team. The junior kicker is Michael DiGangi (6-foot-0, 170 lbs, 3.5 GPA).He is perfect on his PAT's, and also handles the kickoff chores. Mike participates in the baseball program. Other players that will start or see considerable playing time include: OL/DL Oscar Aguilera (5-foot-10, 240 lbs, Sr), WR/DB Corey Benedum (6-foot-1, 165 lbs, Jr), OL/DL Josh Davis (5-foot-11, 265 lbs, Sr), RB/LB Anthony Muller (5-foot-11, 190 lbs, Jr), and Calvin Tsosie (5-foot-8, 225 lbs, Sr).

The assistant coaches are: Matt Feuerbacher (special teams coordinator, DL), Doug Vincent (OL/DL), Joe Sanchez (WR. RB), and Todd Rogers (defensive coordinator). Coach Jones is proud of the fact thatthe team has made the playoffs the past two years, especiallyemerging fromprobably the states' toughest conference. He also notes the great support the program has received from the booster club. In his 5th year as one of the youngest head coaches in the state, certainly in 5A, Coach Jones has tried to build a foundation and winning tradition. The key, he feels, in their five wins to date, is the tenacity of the defense, especially in their ability to pressure the QB. That unit will face two of the state's best in the next few weeks in seniors Kyle Hess (Chandler), and Brad Gruner (Hamilton). Coach saidthat besides experience, the team has a "never say die attitude, and a senior class that is determined to leave their mark."A posterprominently attached to a locker roombulletinboard, reads: Discipline - Do what has to be done, when it has to be done, the best it can be done, and do it that way all the time. A big part of a footballprogram on the rise.