2X Copper Sky Champ- Estrella Foothills

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>&nbsp; It's never easy to turn a program around, making what coach Michael Spencer and his guys have done over the last few years that much more impressive. Just to put things into perspective, the two seasons prior to Spencer's arrival, Estrella Foothills went a combined 2-18.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last two years with Spencer at the helm they have gone undefeated within their region at 10-0, winning back-to-back Copper Sky titles. This past week EFHS punched their ticket to the 4A playoffs beating previously unbeaten Deer Valley 21-7.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking on the victory Spencer said, " After going 7-3 last year and not making playoffs, despite winning the region, we knew we had to win at least 8 games this year to make the dance."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Estrella got a big win early in the year versus rival Youngker 40-13, a program they hadn't beaten in the last 5 seasons. They followed that up nicely with a 32-14 win over another rival in Buckeye, a school they hadn't defeated in the last 4 years.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their only two losses came to top ranked Arizona College Prep and another private school in Seton Catholic. It just so happens that 8-2 EFHS has the #15 seed and will play 9-1 ACP again in round one of the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Spencer praised his coaching staff for buying in and creating an environment for success and comradery. This was led by an offensive line which played together the whole season, helping the team average 35.5 points per game. The line was anchored by<strong> Devin Medina</strong>, a kid we talked about last year, and <strong>Jace Coleman</strong>. Other starters who played key roles include <strong>Luke Carpenter</strong>, <strong>Kenny Shallue</strong>, and <strong>Marshall Leudemann</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1145565' first='Hone' last='Wray'] left no doubt, garnering Copper Sky Region POY honors offensively, while accounting for 27 TD's (16 passing, 11 rushing) and 2300 total yards. At the 4A level he is hands down one of AZ's most versatile QB's.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB <strong>AJ Horne</strong> had a similar type of season running the ball, going for 931 yards and 13 TDs, while averaging 6.5 yards per carry. The receivers also excelled led by [player_tooltip player_id='1145557' first='PJ' last='Bailey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1258659' first='Jacob' last='Rawls']. Together they combined to catch 78 passes for 1,273 yards and 12 touchdowns. Rawls is only a junior and will be in the player of the year conversation next season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two other individuals to make note of on the offensive side of the ball include versatile athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1145561' first='Noah' last='Romo'] and TE <strong>Tanner Covington</strong>. Each had 200+ yards receiving and a couple touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking at the D, Estrella is excited about this year and the future with Copper Sky Defensive POY<strong> Xander Teeter</strong> and fellow LB <strong>Dasan Guevara-Ponce</strong> both back next season. The 6-1 190-pound Teeter is a legit college prospect who made 95 total tackles, with 21 tackles for loss, and 7 sacks. Guevara-Ponce was up in the mix as well, finishing with 66 tackles, 17 TfL's, and 5 sacks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The D line was led by <strong>Tony Lopez</strong> and Jr. <strong>Jacob Ludlow</strong> who combined to make 60 tackles and 8.5 sacks on the season. Underclassmen <strong>Colton Rowe</strong> and <strong>Gavin Knebel </strong>were also big contributors and will play key roles next year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last but not least the DB's who were a big reason the Wolves only gave up 9 points per game (46 total) during the conference season. [player_tooltip player_id='1145520' first='Landyn' last='Deboard'] was a standout on the camp circuit over the off season and followed that up nicely, finishing with 2 INT's and 23 PBU's on the year. <strong>Romo</strong>, <strong>KC Valenzuela</strong>, and Junior DB's <strong>Kade Carroll</strong> and <strong>Danny Ostrander</strong> were outstanding. Carroll finished with 43 tackles and could be one of the best at the 4A level next season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In summary coach Spencer is proud of his team and this season's success saying, "We set a goal after last season and it's amazing to see a year's work come to fruition. We are now entering the next phase of our journey and will bring our best on Friday and leave it all out on the field."&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I personally couldn't be more grateful to live in Estrella and think the sky's the limit for the community and its football program. Congrats to coach Spencer and his team on their continued success.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->