Coach Ty Detmer talks values at American Leadership Academy Gilbert
“Our culture and our values are most important,” coach Ty Detmer says at Leadership Academy Gilbert North football practice on Aug. 5, 2024.
This is part of a series previewing each region ahead of the 2024 Arizona high school football season. We call them 2-a-days. The Arizona Republic started with 1A and will work its way up to 6A with top players to see, predictions and what to look for in each region.
Previous stories: 1A East/North | 1A South/West | 2A Agua Fria/Black | 2A Gila/Little Colo.
3A East Region
The teams: Lakeside Blue Ridge, Fountain Hills, Payson, Eagar Round Valley and Show Low.
The favorite: Round Valley. QB Ryker Marble will be tough to replace, but this young team is very athletic.
The challenger: Blue Ridge. After losing only to Round Valley in regional play last year, the Yellow Jackets should be strong again with alum Eric Hjalmarson returning to lead them.
The dark horse: Show Low. The Cougars figure to turn their season around after going 3-7.
The top players: Kyle Clark, Round Valley, RB, Sr.; Connor Lueker, Round Valley, WR/DB, Sr.; Bert Scheer, Payson, WR/DB, Jr.; Luke Berlin, Blue Ridge, QB, Jr.; Karlo Harris, Blue Ridge, RB/LB, Sr.; Edwin Moreno, Show Low, DB, Jr.; Alexander Anderson, Show Low, RB, Sr.; Sam Barnard, Fountain Hills, WR/S, Sr.
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Key date: Sept. 13 — Round Valley takes on rival Thatcher inside the dome, hoping an 8,000-foot elevation gives the Elks an edge.
Predicted order of finish: 1. Round Valley; 2. Blue Ridge; 3. Show Low; 4. Payson; 5. Fountain Hills.
3A Metro East Region
The teams: Benjamin Franklin Queen Creek, Phoenix Bourgade Catholic, Gilbert Christian, Tempe and Valley Christian.
The favorite: Valley Christian. The Trojans’ only two losses last year came against Surprise Paradise Honors but they’ve got great hope, behind junior WR Asher Hanzal, who had 14 TD catches in 2023.
The challenger: Gilbert Christian. The Knights return enough strong pieces to surpass last year’s six-win total.
The dark horse: Benjamin Franklin. After seven wins and the playoffs a year ago, this charter school is looking for more under coach Danny Morris.
The top players: Sa’Veon McCrimon, Tempe, WR, Sr.; Ashton Grant, Benjamin Franklin, Athlete/LB, Sr.; Ridge Allen, Benjamin Franklin, RB/LB, Sr.; Owen Oberly, Benjamin Franklin, OL/DL, Sr.; Sam Webb, Gilbert Christian, RB, Sr.; Hyatt Lang, Gilbert Christian, LB, Jr.; Saul Mendez, Tempe, QB, Jr.; Ammon Alexander, Benjamin Franklin, OL, Jr.; Asher Hanzal, Valley Christian, WR, Jr.; Eli Salas, Bourgade Catholic, QB, So.; Giovanni Aston, Bourgade Catholic, Athlete/RB, Sr.; Hudson Pickett, Valley Christian, LB, Jr.
Key date: Oct. 18 — Valley Christian will get a chance to avenge its two losses from last season at 3A runner-up Paradise Honors.
Predicted order of finish: 1. Valley Christian; 2. Gilbert Christian; 3. Benjamin Franklin; 4. Tempe; 5. Bourgade Catholic.
Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. He also covers Grand Canyon University athletics and the Arizona Rattlers. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert
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Publish date : 2024-08-07 03:00:00
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