2A: Region POY Breakdowns

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Take a look at the players who earned Region POY accolades as voted by the region coaches: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2A Agua Fria</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Michael Anthony</strong>, RB, Cortez '25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I heard a buzz about Anthony all year, and he lives up to the hype as he flashed a ton of potential and proved to the state that he is a playmaker anytime he touches the ball. He rushed for 1,119 yards and 20 TD's. He was a huge big play threat as he put up those numbers while receiving under 20 carries in each week, as the most attempts he had in a single game was 19 vs Kingman Academy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2A Black </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='663024' first='Jaxon' last='John'], ATH, Pima '24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>John was a returning player here in 2023 that was labeled as a dangerous player from what he showed he could do a season ago. Despite playing the first 7 games then missing the remainder of the season due to an injury, coaches in the 2A Black region felt he was worthy of the Region POY. John finished the year with 19 receptions for 335 yards and 8 TD's, rushed for 75 yards and a TD, and threw for 142 yards and 2 TD's. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/jaxonjohnaz2024/status/1731724847431229541?s=43u0026amp;t=CHwVAtJaf7AJX4h6oaOkoQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/jaxonjohnaz2024/status/1731724847431229541?s=43&amp;t=CHwVAtJaf7AJX4h6oaOkoQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2A Gila</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sir-Izzik Sanchez Caldwell</strong>, ATH Tonopah Valley '25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sanchez Caldwell was easily one of the most dynamic players in the state in the 2A conference, and holds a ton of potential to be a top all around player next season. He showed the ability to be a difference maker with the ball in his hands. He hauled in 90 catches for 1,192 yards and 13 TD's while rushing for over 600 yards on 99 carries with 14 TD's. A big time player for Tonopah Valley with a high ceiling moving forward, as he should definitely be on your radar. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2A Little Colorado</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1116474' first='Silas' last='Kaye'], RB, Pinon '24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kaye was a big time player for Pinon and a sure big play threat nearly every week of the season. He put up over 1,200 yards rushing on 112 carries and 18 TD's in a 9 game span. He was underestimated to start the season due to his 5'8" 145lb size, but proved to quiet some of that noise with his quickness and raw ability. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2A Salt</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='115516' first='Zayden' last='Neill'], QB, San Tan Charter '24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neill has been a gunslinger for STC for all 4 years he's played there, and had himself a fantastic senior year by throwing for 3,110 yards and 36 TD's. He also notched his highest QB rating of his career this season at 141.9. Some things that stood out to me that will translate to the next level are his excellent pocket movement while keeping his eyes downfield, and he delivers with a smooth, fluid release. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/neillzayden/status/1734348801341849746?s=43u0026amp;t=CHwVAtJaf7AJX4h6oaOkoQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/neillzayden/status/1734348801341849746?s=43&amp;t=CHwVAtJaf7AJX4h6oaOkoQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2A San Pedro</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='368966' first='Sebastian' last='Lopez'], QB, Bisbee '25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lopez is another one of those outstanding, pure all around football players that can do it all. A dual threat QB that put up over 1,000 yards passing and rushing. Lopez threw for 1,808 yards and 12 TD's, while rushing for 1,185 yards and 20 TD's. Not only was he a massive offensive weapon/threat all year, he was also a difference maker on defense as well. Lopez accumulated 105 tackles and picked off 2 passes in 2023, and will get a chance to top that entering his senior year in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2A Verde</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jack Atkinson</strong>, QB, Scottsdale Christian '24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Atkinson won the 2A Verde player of the year, but it was definitely a tight competition. His biggest competition? That would be his teammate and main target [player_tooltip player_id='115535' first='Andrew' last='Trapp']. Atkinson proved to be that leader and take SCA to the 2A Championship, and brought that title back to Scottsdale. He did a great job all year with his timing and placement, and clearly hit a big window from his junior to senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->