Scottsdale district football media day. Desert Mountain eyes repeat
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The Scottsdale Unified School District held its high school football media day on Thursday, Aug. 20, at Arcadia High School. Here are the highlights.
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Protecting the ring
Desert Mountain had its first ring ceremony after capturing the school's first 5A championship last season. The biggest question is who will be the quarterback in 2026.
Coach Conrad Hamilton said there are three strong candidates, including former Saguaro QB Jake Pilarcek, a junior who has a cannon for an arm.
The Wolves open their season Aug. 28 against Saguaro.
"We're trying to get better each day," Hamilton said. "That's our culture. That's our motto. Being process-oriented, competing every day to be our best. Because that's life. That's what we're trying to embark on. To be an elite player, you have to be an elite person.
"We want that tough-minded mentality. We do have a good roster coming back. I think we'll have another successful season."
Tight end/defensive end Davian Whitener (6-foot-3, 225 pounds), a Hawaii commit recruited to play edge rusher, is one of the best two-way players in the state, regardless of conference, Hamilton believes. Whitener didn't start playing defensive end until halfway through last season. Whitener was solely a tight end, but after an injury to a defensive end, he came on in the second half of the season on defense, helping the Wolves capture the championship. His recruitment blew up after that.
"I said, 'Yeah, I'll give it a shot (at defensive end),'" Whitener said. "Ever since I made that decision, everything else just skyrocketed."
Desert Mountain is expected to have an elite defense with Whitener, linebacker Christian McComber and safety Jeneral Solomon leading the pack.
Us against the world
Saguaro and Coronado both will field only varsity teams due to a lack of players. Coronado plays an Independent schedule in 2A. Saguaro is in 6A, playing in a region that includes Gilbert Higley, Surprise Shadow Ridge, Phoenix Brophy Prep and Gilbert Williams Field.
"We're playing 11s," Saguaro coach Butch Goncharoff said. "We're not worried about what our numbers are.
"We have had to do some creative things, scripting our stuff. We like what we have. I'm excited about it."
Junior linebacker Anthony Smith said it's all about stacking practices, working hard.
"We're just trying to keep it together as a family," Smith said. "We all got each other's back. We like our starting 11."
Christian Martinez, in his first year leading Coronado, served as assistant for the Dons 10 years ago. Last year's Coronado team went 0-9, managing to score only 60 points. Martinez said he started the summer with 16 players, but doubled that number since then.
"I love this team, honestly," quarterback Will Valenzuela said. "We just want to try our best and go out there and get a bunch of wins this year. I've known this school forever, and that's why I chose to come here. I love this school."
Chaparral back on the rise
With a full offseason, Chaparral alum and coach Trace Carroll said he feels good about this team improving from last season when the Firebirds went 3-7, playing in a tough 5A Northeast Valley Region that includes Desert Mountain, Cactus Shadows, Notre Dame Prep and Horizon.
A big reason for optimism is sophomore quarterback Ryan Trocki, who started as a freshman and has made huge strides in one year.
"We got nine starters back on offense and eight starters back on defense," Carroll said. "We were super competitive. ... We were right there. Super young. But they're hungry. They're ready to make some waves."
Running back Jayce Wilson, who has committed to Nevada, has a goal of 2,000 total yards and 15 touchdowns.
"It's a lot better," Wilson said about this year's team. "We've got a lot of injured guys back. We've got a lot of receivers around. Our quarterback has a lot of experience. I think we'll be much better."
Arcadia sound on defense
Arcadia won't be sneaking up on anybody this year, after reaching the 4A final, falling to Tucson Mica Mountain. Coach B.J. Pasquel has some holes to fill on offense at key skill positions. But the defense appears strong, led by end Greyson Stauff and linebacker Braden Knaub and three junior defensive backs.
Pasquel said that senior Eric Delord will start at quarterback. Sophomore Carter Lampe was running "neck and neck" with Delord for the job, Pasquel said.
The Titans return receiver Konnor Kammes, who had 41 catches for 687 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.
"I think our defense, with a lot of starters back, it's going to be a good year for us," Knaub said. "We have a lot of talent still on this offense. I believe if we get better and better each week that by Week 10 we'll be one of the best teams in 4A."
Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up for Azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at [email protected] or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Scottsdale district football media day. Desert Mountain eyes repeat