Roster Breakdown: Red Mountain

This week we are breaking down Red Mountain High School’s roster and focusing on some key players that will have an impact on this season.   Red Mountain went 11-3 last season, but ultimately fell short of their goal in the state championship, losing to Highland 28-14. But that won’t hold the Mountain Lions back, with their key players coming back for the 2022-23 season, they will certainly make more noise and to hopefully end it differently this time around. Below are some key players to watch out for this fall.     [player_tooltip player_id="165950" first="Carter" last="Crispin"], Quarterback   At good size at 5’11 180 lbs, Carter is smart, talented, and a great leader on this Red Mountain squad. Dual sport athlete who also runs track, Carter likes to get out in space and throw the ball around. Able to throw the ball on the run rolling out to both sides, Crispin also shows the smarts and awareness to stop, and plant his feet if need be. Good thrower of the deep ball, drops it in where only the receiver can get it, and over the defender’s shoulders on go routes. His quick release allows him to stand in the pocket longer, allow his receivers more time to develop down field, and make the strike needed. Almost 2,600 yards and 27 touchdowns, expect Crispin to lead the Red Mountain to points galore this season.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/carter_crispin/status/1490855643250511872?s=20&t=52g4Za5xsB6umqpHzMkSjw </div></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id="42931" first="Lenox" last="Lawson"], Running Back   The top-rated running back on the Prep Redzone AZ rankings, and for good reason. Lawson has speed that kills, and burns defenses the second he gets past the first level. Sharp speed cuts used outside the tackle box allows him to get up field before the defense gets an angle. His agility in between the tackles is also impressive, showing that he can run anything for positive gain. Recent commit to Central Michigan, the Chippewas got a very solid player that can immediately help their team at the college level. I would love to see Lawson break the 900 yard mark this season (Maybe even 1,000 yards) but Red Mountain’s offense is so balanced with Lawson and Crispin, no one needs to have too much on their plate to be successful.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/lenoxlawson3/status/1545506923750928384?s=20&t=52g4Za5xsB6umqpHzMkSjw </div></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id="364208" first="Champ" last="Gennicks"], Linebacker   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/arizona/rankings/2024-rankings/">[player_tooltip player_id="364208" first="Champ" last="Gennicks"] makes the list as the only 2024 student athlete</a>. 6’2" 195 lbs, benching 215 lbs, those are ideal linebacker numbers, and Chance has them. Able to line up as a traditional linebacker, he also has the skill to lineup as a two-point edge rusher and get to the quarterback. He averaged over 6 tackles a game, and over half of them were for a loss. Shows his ability in the passing game as well, with a couple of interceptions to his name. Linebackers that can rush the passer on the line of scrimmage and also line up as a traditional backer and play the run and pass well is what I love to see. Shows he is versatile, coachable, and willing to do anything for his team, and ideal player for college coaches. Gennicks entering his junior year will be a wrecking ball and a problem for offensive coordinators this year.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ChampGNX/status/1473852173872107521?s=20&t=52g4Za5xsB6umqpHzMkSjw </div></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id="358515" first="Jefferson" last="Giles"], Offensive Line   Someone has to keep Crispin and Lennox clean and off the field, and why not their center? [player_tooltip player_id="358515" first="Jefferson" last="Giles"] is the center on the Red Mountain line, and leads it well. Great size at 6’3" 280 lbs, he is a strong, physical kid that blocks til the whistle. Very good foot work in the passing game, and able to down block both sides in the running game. Giles has had a busy summer, with camps at Columbia, New Mexico State, and in state schools like NAU and ASU, Giles is putting his name out there for coaches to see. Expect a busy fall for him, and more coaches calling for him to join their squad come next year!   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JeffersonGiles/status/1540113566996389888?s=20&t=52g4Za5xsB6umqpHzMkSjw </div></figure>     Red Mountain had a strong year last season and working towards another one this year. With a very tough schedule, starting off with an out of state opponent in Mater Dei Catholic (CA), and meetings with Chandler who made the Open Division playoffs and is always a top dog, and of course Highland who knocked them off in the championship last year. But with talent all around this roster, I expect Red Mountain to be just fine in the fall and playing well into November and December and accomplishing their goals.