While the seniors will play key roles in the Owls' success this season, their ability to put points on the board will rest largely with a junior, Paul Patterson, who passed for 979 yards last season. Rounding out the group of seniors that Epley expects to have an impact this season is Bryan Lawrence, a 165 lb. linebacker.
Arcadia High School
The Titans likely won't resemble the 2007 team. They have a new coaching staff, new offense, and a new defense. Coach Jim Ellison has 10 returning starters to work with, as he tries to improve on a 6-5 record last year. Arcadia plays in the 4A II East Sky region. Ellison sees a handful of upper classmen who were starters on lthe 2007 squad and are expected to play key roles in 2008. They include seniors David Carroll (WR/Safety), Adam Joffe (LB/TE), Trevor Brock (RB/LB), Edwin Zubiate (RB/LB),and Kevin Cosgrove (TE/DE), and juniors Colby Kirkegaard (QB) and Joey Artique (RB). Many see the Kirkegaard-to-Carroll combination as one of the best in the state this year, with the added bonus of the tight end, Cosgrove. A couple of other key players to watch are both juniors: JakeHirschi at running back, a fast athlete with good hands, and linebacker Connor McClain, a strong player who Coach Ellison says has "good instincts."
Bourgade Catholic HS
Bourgade, a 2A school in the West Region, also presents a "new" look for the 2008 season, as the school's outlook for this year is... "a new coach, a new attitude, and optimism." Coach Chris Andreadis inherits a team that posted a 3-7 season in 2007 and has a small cadre of returning starters that are expected to make an impact this year: a couple of seniors that will provide help at wide receiver and defensive back, Robbie Garcia and Tyler Comella; and two more seniors, on the offensive and defensive lines, Grant Harper and NickSawyer. Add to that, junior Alex Minnes at tight end. But Andreadis also points to some up-and comers who he hopes will step up to the challenge this year: senior Dan Casey, the center and leader of the offensive line; senior wide receiver Josh Steuter, who has the speed and athleticism to make the big plays; senior Eliot Alston who, because he is a team leader and can play running back on offense and linebacker on defense, his coach says "might never come off the field." Add to the mix a trio of sophomores: Blake Comella, a quarterback with a strong arm and leadership qualities; RyanBurke (FB/LB), a tough hard-nosed player; and Mike Enriques, a big hitter in the defensive backfield and versatile enough to also play running back.
