Arizona high school football 2-a-days 2022 season: 1A North, West region previews
This is the countdown to the opening week of the Arizona Interscholastic Association high school football season with two region previews a day. We start with 1A and work our way up to 6A.
We call them 2-a-days.
1A North Region
The teams: Colorado City El Capitan, Fredonia, Joseph City, Mayer, Heber Mogollon, Williams.
The favorite: Mogollon. This is a dynasty in the making under third-year coach Rick Samon. The Mustangs have won the past two 8-man state championships, going undefeated both seasons.
The contender: Williams. This team not only will battle Mogollon for the region title but for the state championship.
The dark horse: El Capitan. They went 6-4 last year, falling to Mogollon 52-8 in the first round of the playoffs.
The key players: Drew Logan, Williams, RB/LB; Bryton Cox, Williams, C/DL; Blayk Kelton, Mogollon, WR/LB; Payton Reidhead, Mogollon, LB/RB; Blake Palmer, Joseph City, RB; Denim White, El Capitan, WR;
The biggest game: Mogollon at Williams, Oct. 8. Likely for the region title.
The predicted order of finish: 1. Mogollon; 2. Williams; 3. El Capitan; 4. Joseph City; 5. Mayer; 6. Fredonia.
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1A West Region
The teams: Anthem Prep, Bagdad, Desert Heights Prep Academy, Mohave Accelerated, Salome.
The favorite: Bagdad. The Sultans replaced everybody on defense, but they return one of the best offensive lines in 8-man ball.
The contender: Salome. Lost only one senior from last year's 6-3 team.
The dark horse: Mohave Accelerated. Reloaded after going 7-2 last season.
The key players: NIck Martinez, Bagdad, OL/DL; Kaleb Gomez, Bagdad, RB/LB; Brandon Nelson, Bagdad, RB/LB; Lorenzo Medina, Bagdad, OL; Bryce Merrigan, Mohave Accelerated, WR/DL; Nando Armenta, Salome, LB/TE; Kevin Castillo, Salome, Athlete; Alvaro Alvarez, Salome, RB/NT; Gabriel Beltran, Salome, Athlete; Chris Smith, Salome, RB/LB; Jack Chumley, Anthem Prep, WR/DB; Alex Rebilos, Anthem Prep, LB/FB; Andy Gandolfo, Anthem Prep, WR/LB; Mitchell McManus, Anthem Prep, RB/DB.
The biggest game: Bagdad at Salome, Sept. 23. will give an indication of how legit Salome is this season.
The predicted order of finish: 1. Bagdad; 2. Salome; 3. Mohave Accelerated; 4. Anthem Prep; 5. Desert Heights.
To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter @azc_obert.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona high school football 2-a-days 2022: 1A North, West previews
