From Potential to Powerhouses: Receivers Who Elevated Their Game

The 2024 high school football season has been a proving ground for wide receivers across Arizona. Each week, players stepped up to showcase not just their raw talent, but also their ability to grow, adapt, and make an impact when it mattered most. Among these players, this group showed remarkable improvement throughout the season, elevating their games to new heights as the competition intensified.    This article takes a closer look at seven standout receivers and explores how each player progressed over the season, highlighting not just their stats, but the skills that make them unique.   From explosive yardage spikes to consistent clutch performances, these players exemplify what it means to rise to the occasion. Let's dive into the numbers and the moments that defined their seasons.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/AZ-Improving-Recevers-Chart-Final-Trendline.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1596012" /></figure>    [player_tooltip player_id='368946' first='Mikey' last='Sumko'] wasn't just another receiver for the Mountain View Toros this season—he was their go-to guy when they needed a playmaker. Whether it was hauling in deep balls, grinding out tough catches over the middle, or sprinting past defenders in open space, Sumko did it all. With 1,010 receiving yards on 68 catches and seven touchdowns, he consistently delivered big-time performances, but his real magic was in how he did it. Sumko's body control is special. He's the type of player who can adjust mid-air to a poorly thrown ball or absorb contact and still come down with the catch. Those traits made him a nightmare for defenders, especially in tight coverage. His hands are rock solid. Tough catches — the ones most receivers would bobble or even drop — looked routine for him. And once he had the ball, his top-end speed kicked in, leaving most defenders chasing his shadow. One of Sumko's best games came in the semifinals against Brophy College Prep, where he racked up 134 yards on seven catches, averaging nearly 20 yards per reception. He was unstoppable that night, showing off his ability to stretch the field and create big plays. This year was historic for Mountain View, with Sumko helping the Toros achieve a rare milestone: two 1,000-yard receivers in the same season. His blend of athleticism, technique, and consistency leaves no doubt that he's headed for even bigger things in the future.     Dawrius Walema was the definition of a versatile playmaker for the Lee Williams Volunteers this season. As the season progressed, his steady improvement became a key factor for the Volunteers' offense, with Walema showing he could thrive under pressure and rise to the occasion when his team needed him most. What makes Walema so dangerous? It all starts with his quick and twitchy footwork. He's nearly impossible to jam at the line of scrimmage, and those quick steps also give him instant separation from defenders out of his breaks. Once he's in open space, his agility makes him tough to bring down, turning short completions into game-breaking plays. This combination of route-running and elusiveness makes him a truly well-rounded wideout. One of his defining performances came in the Volunteers' final game against Bradshaw Mountain, where Walema hauled in 11 receptions for 156 yards. He put his full skillset on display, from finding soft spots in coverage to making defenders miss after the catch. It was the kind of game that solidified his reputation as a go-to receiver.     [player_tooltip player_id='1190648' first='Isaac' last='Massey'] might only be a sophomore, but he's already playing like a seasoned veteran for ALA Gilbert North. Massey's 2024 season was defined by his ability to find a way to get open and move the chains when it mattered most, finishing the year with an impressive 1,039 receiving yards. Massey's incredible route-running precision and spatial awareness make him stand out right away. He has an uncanny ability to sense where defenders are, where they're going to be, and exactly where he needs to position himself to make a play. This awareness doesn't just help him find soft spots in coverage; it also makes him a nightmare to tackle once he's got the ball in his hands. Massey's two-sport athleticism — he also plays basketball — really shows when he's on the field. His moves after the catch have a basketball-like quality, almost as if he's crossing defenders over on the hardwood, leaving them grasping at air. One of Massey's biggest games came in the playoffs against Cactus, where he hauled in 12 receptions for 175 yards. His ability to stretch the defense and create opportunities for his team was on full display, even in a narrow loss. With two more years ahead of him, Massey is poised to become one of Arizona's premier receivers and a key leader for the Eagles moving forward.     [player_tooltip player_id='1353910' first='Amari' last='Scroggins'] stood tall — literally and figuratively — for the McClintock Chargers this season, using his 6'3” frame to dominate on the outside. Scroggins was a reliable target for his team all year long, helping the Chargers secure their best record in over two decades. Scroggins' long strides allow him to cover ground quickly, giving him an edge over defenders on deep routes. Once the ball is in the air, he's able to high-point the football where most defenders can't even reach, making him an ideal red-zone threat. Despite having room to add more weight to his frame, Scroggins isn't afraid to play physical — fighting through contact to make tough catches when it counts. In his final high school football game, he put up a whopping 250 yards and two touchdowns as the Chargers fell 39-42 in the playoffs.     [player_tooltip player_id='1353913' first='Boe' last='Sparks'] electrified the ALA Queen Creek offense in 2024, proving that size doesn't define greatness. Sparks used his speed, agility, and incredible football IQ to leave defenders in the dust and make plays when it mattered most. Sparks' ball tracking and concentration are nothing short of elite. He has an uncanny ability to seamlessly adjust his route mid-play without losing balance, often coming down with acrobatic catches that seem impossible to anyone else. His ability to track deep balls while maintaining his speed is a testament to his refined skill set, and his quickness after the catch makes him a constant threat to turn routine plays into game-changing moments. Sparks ended the season with back-to-back 150+ yard performances in the Open Division playoffs. Earlier in the season, Sparks showcased his knack for the spotlight with three first-half touchdown catches in a shutout win over ALA Gilbert North. Time and time again, he proved why he was one of Arizona's most explosive playmakers. With his skill set and work ethic, Sparks has established himself as one of the top wideouts in the state. His ability to make plays against top competition and thrive under pressure ensures that his name will be remembered long after this season.     Jordan McMahon-Fullmer really came to life in the second half of the season. A massive target at 6'6” and 200 pounds, he finished the season getting over 130 receiving yards in three of his last four games, after having not reached it at all prior. Whether it was hauling in tough catches or stretching defenses with his smooth movement across the field, McMahon-Fullmer turned into a really reliable weapon. His catch radius alone made him a quarterback's dream. With his size and natural athleticism, McMahon-Fullmer was able to snag passes that most receivers wouldn't even have a chance at. Add in his impressive hands, and it's easy to see why he became such a valuable piece for Camp Verde. What's equally impressive is how he protected himself and the ball. Despite his frame, McMahon-Fullmer rarely took big hits thanks to his awareness and ability to shield defenders. His ability to win contested catches and create opportunities in got-to-have-it moments made him a standout player in the 2A conference. With his basketball background translating into fluid movement and excellent body control, McMahon-Fullmer's season really highlighted what a multi-sport athlete can achieve on the football field.     Domonick Ruiz was a Swiss Army knife for the Corona del Sol Aztecs in 2024, impacting the game in nearly every way possible. At 5'10” and 185 pounds, he wasn't the biggest player on the field, but he played with a physicality and determination that made him standout. Ruiz was the definition of a do-it-all athlete — catching passes, running the ball, returning kicks, and making game-changing plays week after week. Ruiz's technical ability as a receiver is exceptional. He's an intuitive player with savvy route-running and a knack for using his body to gain positioning over defenders. His ball skills are top-tier, and his willingness to do whatever it takes for his team — whether blocking downfield or lining up in unconventional roles — makes him exactly the kind of player coaches dream of having in their programs. Beyond his 900 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, Ruiz added 479 kick return yards, showcasing his explosiveness and field vision in special teams. He also contributed in the rushing attack, adding eight more scores on the ground. Dominick Ruiz embodies what it means to be a team-first player, and his impact on Corona del Sol this season will be remembered. With his blend of skill, toughness, and versatility, he's going to go on to do great things at the next level for Idaho State.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/AZ-Improving-Recevers-Chart-Final-Yards.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1596017" /></figure>

The 2024 high school football season has been a proving ground for wide receivers across Arizona. Each week, players stepped up to showcase not just their raw talent, but also their ability to grow, adapt, and make an impact when it mattered most. Among these players, this group showed remarkable improvement throughout the season, elevating their games to new heights as the competition intensified.