Championship Spotlight Pt. 1: ALA West Foothills' Impact Players

<p>The stage is set for the Arizona 3A High School Football Championship, and all eyes are on ALA West Foothills as they prepare to take on Pusch Ridge for the Arizona 3A State Championship. With the stakes higher than ever, every snap and every decision could determine who takes home the title. The Guardians have leaned on a talented roster to get this far, and as they head into the biggest game of the season, their key players will need to shine. Here's a closer look at the athletes who could make all the difference for ALA West Foothills.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Offensive Versatility</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Hudson Mitton, ALA West Foothills' quarterback and son of head coach Chad Mitton, will need to take on a larger role in the team's offense as they shift away from their typically strong running game. Mitton has been steady for the Guardians this season, throwing for 1,631 yards, 22 touchdowns, and completing 57% of his passes. With injuries taking a toll on their running back room, his performance in the semifinal against Thatcher — 235 yards, two touchdowns, and a 129.5 quarterback rating — was exactly what his team needed to advance to the state title game. As the championship looms, ALA West Foothills will lean heavily on Mitton's arm and leadership to guide.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Carson Callister has been a game-changing weapon for ALA West Foothills, excelling as both the team's leading receiver and a versatile contributor in the ground game. Callister has racked up 537 receiving yards this season, averaging nearly 20 yards per catch, and finding the end zone four times. His ability to break open big plays was on full display against Thatcher, where he added 101 yards through the air on five receptions. With the Guardians needing creativity to overcome injuries in the backfield, Callister's versatility will be key. Whether catching passes in space or taking handoffs to keep the defense guessing, expect him to be at the center of their game plan in the championship.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Johnny Garcia is going to be a player that ALA West Foothills turns to when their offense needs a spark. With injuries hitting the backfield hard, the team will lean on his ability to make plays as both a runner and a receiver. Garcia has quietly put together a solid season, averaging 7.4 yards per carry with four rushing touchdowns. He's also contributed 137 receiving yards and three touchdowns, proving to be a dependable target when it counts. In the championship, the Guardians will need Garcia's knack for finding open lanes and creating explosive plays to help carry them to the finish line.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Aiden Anaya, the 6'5", 225-pound tight end for ALA West Foothills, has emerged as a touchdown machine this season, and his breakout performance in the semifinal against Thatcher proved just how dangerous he can be. Anaya has tallied seven touchdowns on the season, averaging an impressive 24.5 yards per catch. In the breakout performance last week, he hauled in three receptions for 101 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing his ability to stretch the field and find the end zone. His chemistry with quarterback Hudson Mitton has been a key factor in the Guardians' success, and that connection could be the difference-maker in the championship game.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defensive Dominance</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Iziic Morales, one half of ALA West Foothills' talented twin duo in the secondary, has been a steady presence all season. From his spot at safety, he's shown great instincts and the ability to read plays as they develop, which has led to some impressive numbers: six interceptions, 14 pass deflections, and 42 tackles on the year. Iziic has a knack for being in the right place at the right time and consistently comes up big when his team needs him. In the championship, his field vision and quick reactions will be key as the Guardians work to slow down Pusch Ridge's passing game.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Izaiah Morales, the other half of ALA West Foothills' talented twin duo in the secondary, has been locking down receivers all season. With his sharp footwork and ability to stick to his man, Izaiah has proven time and again that he's tough to beat on the outside. This season, he's racked up five interceptions, 12 pass deflections, along with 29 tackles. In the championship, his ability to shut down Pusch Ridge's top targets could be a game-changer for the Guardians.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Hunter Cotten is set to make a much-anticipated return to the field for the championship game after missing the semifinals. A relentless playmaker on defense, Cotten has been a cornerstone of ALA West Foothills' success against the run, leading the team with 92 total tackles and an incredible 25 tackles for loss this season. His ability to disrupt plays in the backfield has come through when they needed it most, and his five sacks have added another layer of pressure to opposing offenses. With Cotten back in the lineup, the Guardians regain a dynamic defender who can change the game with his presence in the middle.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">With the loss of their star pass rusher [player_tooltip player_id='1145528' first='JJ' last='Brutus'], who leads the state in sacks, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1603437' first='Zion' last='Aguebor'] will be called upon to help replace some of that pass rush production. Aguebor has already shown promise this season with 49 total tackles and an impressive 23 tackles for loss. He's also contributed 4.5 sacks, showing his ability to disrupt plays in the backfield. At 6'4" with incredible reach, it doesn't take long for him to get around opposing linemen. Now, with Brutus sidelined, the Guardians will need Aguebor's high motor and ability to pressure the quarterback to step up even more.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Honorable Mention</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Even though [player_tooltip player_id='1145528' first='JJ' last='Brutus'] won't be able to leave his mark on the championship game, it's hard to imagine ALA West Foothills reaching this point without him. A dominant force on both sides of the ball, Brutus was nothing short of a game-changer. On defense, he led the state in sacks with an astounding 17.5, along with 68 total tackles and 33.5 tackles for loss. His ability to disrupt plays in the backfield was a nightmare for opposing offenses. But Brutus also made waves on offense, rushing for 701 yards and 12 touchdowns on just 74 carries, showcasing his incredible versatility. His presence will surely be missed on the field, but his contributions throughout the season have been a driving force behind the Guardians' championship run.</p>

The stage is set for the Arizona 3A High School Football Championship, and all eyes are on ALA West Foothills as they prepare to take on Pusch Ridge for the Arizona 3A State Championship. With the stakes higher than ever, every snap and every decision could determine who takes home the title. The Guardians have leaned on a talented roster to get this far, and as they head into the biggest game of the season, their key players will need to shine. Here's a closer look at the athletes who could make all the difference for ALA West Foothills.