2024 Team Preview: Desert Vista Thunder

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the dawn of the 2024 football season is fast approaching, we will begin to preview teams to cover players that you should be on the lookout for when watching these programs. We will begin in the 6A Central Division, starting with the Desert Vista Thunder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Desert Vista will be looking towards their newest head coach, Jake McSpadden, to lead the helms of this program into the season. After first joining the Desert Vista staff in 2022, he will be looking to establish a foundation as a 1st year head coach with the program after they have gone through a new head coach every year since their 2021 season. After going 2-8 last season, the Thunder are looking to have a bounce-back year. They will have key games against Hamilton, Chaparral, and their rival school Mountain Pointe that will really show what this team has got. With a great returning cast of players coming back, especially young players, there is a lot to be excited about for the upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some of the key highlighted players you should watch out for:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["975177"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66791333617a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2026 Running Back [player_tooltip player_id='975177' first='Kyler' last='Drunasky'] will definitely be a versatile weapon used out of the backfield for this Desert Vista offense. A downhill runner that is elusive and quick out of the backfield, demonstrating excellent burst and speed once he gets to the second level. Drunasky scored 6 TDs all on the ground last season as a sophomore and will be looking to add to that total this season. Not only can he run the football, but he displays excellent route running and hands to pair with his already great athleticism. Not only can we expect huge numbers on the ground, but watch out for Drunasky in the passing game as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1353892' first='Aeneas' last='Redmond']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"177","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Desert Vista ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667913336195e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a basketball &amp; QB background now convert to the WR position, 2025 Wide Receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1353892' first='Aeneas' last='Redmond'] is an outstanding athlete the Thunder are definitely excited to have him back for this season. Coming off a 100 yard receiving game in one of the few games he played, Redmond will be looking to make a lot of noise in his senior season. The first thing that makes your eyes pop is his vertical, having excellent ability to get up and catch the football. Pair that with smart route running, great speed after the catch, and very good hands. Look out for Redmond, he is gonna be hard to stop for the opposing teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16333051/64e8cf580c5382087883327f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667b45ce44a9a"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Carlos Gutierrez","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"265","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Desert Vista","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6679133361897"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2025 Offensive Lineman Carlos Gutierrez is an agile and strong guard for the Thunder. A key returner to the offensive line, not only does he have incredibly powerful strength, but his quickness as a pulling guard make him a force to be reckoned with. Combine that with fast hands and very good anchoring down ability, he is an all-around reliable option for the Thunder's offense in both run and pass games. You can see the fierce competitiveness and toughness all over his film. He is a guy this Thunder team will be relying on heavily as the season begins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17662432/65542fc19a90f207780117b7' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667b45ce44af0"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1198082"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66791333619bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 Defensive Back [player_tooltip player_id='1198082' first='Andrew' last='Shaw'] is an electric defensive piece you will want to keep your eyes out for on the defensive side of the ball for the Thunder. An impressive frame at safety already heading into his junior year, Shaw can play anywhere on the defense such as the nickel spot or even linebacker in a pinch. Racking in 43 tackles last season, he plays physically and locates the ball quickly taking great angles of pursuit. He wraps up fundamentally and physically well at the position. He will be a key playmaker for the Thunder's defense going forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Zxavian Cullum","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"290","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Desert Vista","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6679133361a79"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2025 Defensive Lineman Zxavian Cullum was an absolute beast on the interior of the defensive line for the Thunder last season. Often aligning in nose tackle in a 4-point stance, he flies off the ball with great hand usage and great ability at neutralizing double teams. Even still, he can locate the football while taking on blockers and lay a hit into the ball carrier recording about 20 tackles from interior last year. As he is beginning to rack in his first couple of offers, watch out for Cullum to be the lead man on the Desert Vista front four.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16636050/654826db5eec0a0b902b4e9a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667b45ce44b55"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->