4A Sunrise Division Football Capsules

Following is a look at 4A Sunrise Division football teams.

* BASIC WOLVES

Coach: Cliff Frazier (seventh year)

1997 Record: 3-6 (2-5 Sunrise)

Top Players: Regino Aguirre (5-7, 195) SOG, Sr.; Jason Blakely (5-10, 190), FB, Sr.; Jeremiah Boucher (5-6, 165), CB, Sr.; Billy Covington (6-2, 215), TE, Sr.; Mike Dimuro (5-7, 205), OG, Sr.; Andy Grasso (5-9, 180), RB, Sr.; Jeremy Hartman (5-7, 160), CB, Jr.; Matt Hieb (6-2, 190), C/OLB, Sr.; Mark Niewinski (6-2, 275), OT, Jr.; Max Ramos (6-0, 195), RB, Jr.; Chris Render (6-2, 265), OT, Sr.; Mike Rose (6-0 175), QB, Sr.

Outlook: The Wolves finally got that nasty 18-game losing streak off their backs in 1997, and now Frazier and his staff are looking to improve on last year's victory total. That could be a realistic possibility if Grasso (who averaged 100 yards-per-game before going down with an injury last season), Blakely and Ramos can pound out big numbers on the ground. Basic also has some quick, experienced athletes in the linebacking core and defensive secondary, which should make it tough for opponents to pass consistently. Still, Basic's lines are undersized on both sides of the ball, and that rarely translates to a postseason berth at the high school level.

* CHAPARRAL COWBOYS

Coach: Ben Johnson (first year)

1997 Record: 5-5 (5-2 Sunrise)

Top Players: Ty Bingham (5-10, 215), OL/DL, Sr.; Tyson Dobbs (6-0, 185), QB/FS, Sr.; Willie Felkins (5-9, 200), OL/LB, Sr.; Mario Hagan (6-3, 180), WR/ DB, Jr.; Derek Justice (6-1, 185), DB/WR, Sr.; John Ream (6-4, 265), OL/LB, Jr.; Ken Reed (5-10, 260), DL/TE, Sr.; Adam Rodriguez (6-1, 275), DL/OL, Sr.; Roger Ross (5-10, 190), LB/RB, Sr.; Richard Siegler (6-2, 195), TE/OLB, Sr.; Verwon Washington (5-9, 190), RB/FS, Sr.

Outlook: Johnson, former head coach of Indian Springs' eight-man football team, takes over a club that tied Valley for first place in the Sunrise last season. With most of the squad's top skill position players back, Johnson opted to keep Chaparral's offensive system in place, and that should make the transition easier. Dobbs, a varsity starter for three years, will be the key to the Cowboys' success, although Washington also will must have a big year for Chaparral to challenge for division and zone superiority. The offensive line is young, and will need to come together quickly for Dobbs and Washington to have room to operate. Defensively, Johnson has installed a new scheme, and it could take a few games for the players to become familiar with it. A week one game against Cimarron-Memorial will give Johnson a more clear picture about the way his team might stack up against the rest of the league.

* ELDORADO SUNDEVILS

Coach: Ken Trujillo (third year)

1997 Record: 5-5 (4-3 Sunrise)

Top Players: Matt Arnold (6-2, 170), WR/CB, Sr.; Howard Brisette (6-5, 305), OT, Sr.; Arlie Daniel (6-0, 170), QB, Jr.; Josh Igeleke (6-2, 165), WR, Sr.; Percy Knight (5-11, 345), DT, Sr.; Melvin Lamp (6-3, 240), DE, Sr.; David Larsen (6-2, 245), OG, Jr.; Junior Masco (6-1, 170), WR, Sr.; Billy Joe Murray (5-11, 250), DT, Sr.; Chris Ramsay (5-10, 220), LB, Sr.; DeMareo Robinson (5-9, 180), RB, Sr.; Jose Salgado (5-8, 190), RB, Jr.; Aniya Solcum (6-0, 175), CB, Jr.; Ramon Vasquez (6-2, 310), OT, Sr.

Outlook: The Sundevils were young in 1997, but managed to make their seventh trip to the playoffs in the past eight seasons. After spending considerable time in the weight room during the off-season, Trujillo's charges could be ready for a breakout season in '98. Despite losing 16 seniors, Eldorado returns several key players, particularly on offense. An experienced offensive line should pave the way for big seasons from Daniel, Masco (both starters last fall) and Robinson, a part-timer last year who will get the bulk of the carries. Defensively, it all begins with Murray, who Trujillo insists is the "strongest kid in the city." Murray will anchor a defense which has several question marks but also features a handful of athletes with playoff experience under their belts. If the Sundevils get the type of production they're expecting from their offense and come up with a few answers on defense, challenging Las Vegas and Chaparral for the division title might not be out of the question.

* GREEN VALLEY GATORS

Coach: Larry Thomas (eighth year)

1997 Record: 7-4 (4-3 Sunrise)

Top Players: Tim Baldwin (6-2, 215), LB, Sr.; Collin Campbell (6-0, 220), ILB, Sr.; Jeff Gamett (6-2, 215), C, Sr.; David Leherner (6-3, 235), DT, Sr.; Jeremy McKee (6-0, 180), QB, Jr.; Jeff Na (6-0, 225), OG, Jr.; Sean Newell (6-4, 235), OT, Sr.; Brandon Palmer (5-5, 135), RB, Soph.; Kellen Phillip (6-0, 185), WR/DB/P, Sr.; Brad Pope, (6-2, 210), DE, Sr.; Rick Rosen (6-0, 225), OG, Sr.; Brett Sickmiller (6-1, 185), DB, Sr.; Ryan Smith (5-7, 150), RB, Soph.; Ryan Spradling (6-2, 205), DT, Sr.; Jake Thompson (6-3, 235), TE, Sr.; Cody Treese (6-2, 165), DB, Sr.; A.J. Virtuoso (6-0, 235), ILB, Sr.; Cornell Williams (6-3, 185), CB, Sr.; Maurice Windham (5-10, 175), RB/DB, Sr.

Outlook: The Gators made it all the way to the Southern Zone semifinals in 1997, and should be in the mix again this season. Despite the graduation of Zone Defensive Player of the Year Jamar Glasper, Green Valley appears to have one of the top defenses in town. With Williams leading the way, a speedy, athletic defensive backfield should be the unit's strength -- although Virtuoso and the rest of the front seven won't be pushovers, either. Offensively, the Gators will be inexperienced at the skill positions, particularly at running back, where Windham, Palmer and Smith will battle for carries. Whoever emerges as the primary back should have room to run, thanks to a veteran group of returning linemen. Green Valley's success could be determined early in the season, when Thomas' club will play Western and Hawaiian power St. Louis back-to-back. And 0-2 start could spell disaster, while two victories could propel the Gators toward a playoff run.

* LAS VEGAS WILDCATS

Coach: Kris Cinkovich (fourth year)

1997 Record: 5-4 (4-3 Sunrise)

Top Players: Coy Boykin (5-10, 165), RB/FS, Jr.; Jason Chatham (5-10, 175), DB, Sr.; James Farnsworth (6-2, 190), OL, Sr.; Joe Glover (5-9, 155), CB, Sr.; Curtis Gubler (5-8, 170), SS, Sr.; Brad Leavitt (6-4, 245), TE/DE, Sr.; Anthony Marini (6-3, 220), QB, Jr.; Prasith Mavady (6-1, 260), OT/DT, Sr.; Darren Mecham (6-3, 200), DE, Sr.; Phillip Mullins (6-3, 270), OT/DT, Sr.; Joe Norman (6-3, 190), ILB, Sr.; Juan Pena (5-9, 168), WR, Sr.; Jonathan Pollard (6-2, 221), ILB, Jr.; Billy Schaefbauer (5-10, 210), OG, Sr.; Curtis Wilson (5-10, 180), RB, Sr.

Outlook: The Wildcats missed out on the playoffs in 1997 by the slimmest of margins, losing their last contest to Chaparral in the game's final minute. In a way, it was a fitting end to a year in which Las Vegas played five games that were decided in the final five minutes or in overtime. If Cinkovich's desire to play for the full 48 minutes don't fall on deaf ears, 1998 could be quite a different story for the 'Cats, the early favorites to capture the Sunrise title. The team's offensive line features five experienced varsity players, and Wilson and Boykin give Las Vegas a pair of dangerous threats in the backfield. Although Cinkovich likely will rely heavily on the run, Marini demonstrated in '97 that he can get the job done through the air when necessary. Defensively, the linebackers and secondary are filled with talented returnees, with a thin defensive line providing the only uncertainty for a team with a lot of upside in 1998.

* RANCHO RAMS

Coach: Cary Mitchell (second year)

1997 Record: 2-6 (2-5 Sunrise)

Top Players: Shon Atkinson (5-10, 160), CB/SS, Sr.; Jammal Boyd (6-2, 240), ILB, Sr.; Jessie Getz (6-3, 200), QB, Sr.; Demetrius Johnson (6-3, 245), ILB/FB, Sr.; Ray Lukes (6-2, 170), WR, Jr.; Billy McKenzie (5-10, 200), NG, Sr.; Cesar Mendoza (6-2, 260), DT, Sr.; Glenn Smith (5-7, 180), TB, Jr.; Marlo Vinson (6-2, 215), DE, Sr.

Outlook: Mitchell, who returned to Rancho in 1997 after three years away from the school, wasn't able to return the Rams to their past glory, mainly because he simply didn't have enough players on his roster. This year, that shouldn't be as much of a problem, but lack of senior leadership could be, with Mitchell waiting for some of his veterans to step up in that department. The Rancho defense will be home to some of the best players in town, including Johnson and Vinson, but the team could have trouble stopping the run again in 1998. The offense is one big question mark for Mitchell, with no returners back. Lukes and Smith have given the club reason for optimism with strong showings in the passing league and in early practices. Even so, finishing in the upper half of the division could be a tall order for the rebuilding Rams.

* SILVERADO SKYHAWKS

Coach: John DeNardin (fourth year)

1997 Record: 4-5 (2-5 Sunrise)

Top Players: Sean Dane (6-4, 180), QB, Sr.; Ulysses Gonzales (5-11, 220), OG/DE, Sr.; Joel Masaniai (6-0, 295), DT/RB, Sr.; Brian Mishler (5-10, 185), RB, Sr.; Tommy Rojas (6-1, 180), WR/DB, Jr.; Marques Rose (6-5, 170), DB, Sr.; Jermaine Smith (5-9, 165), RB/DB, Sr.; Joe Verba (6-1, 235), LB/TE, Sr.

Outlook: After finishing in a three-way tie for last in the Sunrise in 1997, DeNardin and Co. are hoping for a big turnaround. The team will feature a revamped offense with nearly all new personnel -- not necessarily a bad thing for a group that had serious trouble putting points on the board last year. Dane, the Skyhawks' No. 3 quarterback last year, worked hard in the off-season and will finally get his chance to shine. Newcomers Smith and Mishler will shoulder the bulk of the load on the ground, while Rojas and Verba will give Dane a pair of talented targets. DeNardin is counting on defense to anchor his club while the offense finds itself. Silverado's physical front eight should make life difficult for opposing blockers, and its aggressive defensive backs could be tough to throw against. A playoff berth would be a surprise, but isn't entirely out of the question.

* VALLEY VIKINGS

Coach: GREG MURPHY (fifth year)

1997 Record: 6-4 (5-2 Sunrise)

Top Players: Jesse Adarme (5-10, 185), FB/LB, Jr.; Justin Blake (6-0, 190), OL/LB, Sr.; Jamie Cuevas (6-0, 170), WR, Sr.; Dana Dingee (5-10, 160), WR/DB, Jr.; Jermaine Jordan (5-10, 175), LB, Sr.; Gerry Jones (5-10, 175), DB, Sr.; Tyler Kurts (6-0, 210), OL/DL, Jr.; Anthony Moreno (6-0, 165), QB/ DB, Jr.; Dwayne Murray (5-10, 160), QB, Sr.; James Smith (5-11, 200), OL/DL, Sr.; Devon Stewart (6-1, 190), TE/LB, Jr.; Anton Weicikoskie (6-0, 215), DL, Sr.; Mark Welding (5-10, 255), C, Sr.

Outlook: The Vikings have owned the Sunrise Division of late, capturing back-to-back league titles in 1996 and '97. This year, Murphy's squad could be hard pressed to make it three in a row, with 15 of 22 starters from last season's team graduated -- including Zone Offensive Player of the Year Dion Jackson. Still, Valley has a solid core of athletic, fundamentally sound players back on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the team has three top-notch targets in Cuevas, Dingee and Stewart and an experienced back in Adarme. The only question will be whether Murray or Moreno can step in and replace Jackson as a dynamic presence in the huddle. The defense should be strong, spearheaded by all-conference selections Jordan and Adarme, two of the most feared linebackers in the area. With so many key players from last season gone, many local coaches are counting the Vikings out of the postseason. But as Murphy's players showed last year after losing a slew of talent from their first title team, they may be at their best with their backs against the wall.

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