Heroes of Week Zero: Offensive Stars Shine Early

Week 0 didn't waste any time giving us fireworks. Arizona's first slate of games saw offenses come out swinging, and a handful of guys made sure their names were the ones fans were talking about on the ride home. From quarterbacks slinging darts under pressure to skill players breaking away for long scores, it felt like a sneak peek into just how fun this season is going to be. Here's a look at some of the standouts who stole the spotlight right out of the gate.    Wyler may not be the biggest quarterback on the field, but he looked every bit the part of a leader in Week 1. He finished 10-of-14 for 286 yards and two touchdowns through the air, while also sneaking in a rushing score. What really stood out was the way he handled adversity — on his very first throw he took a nasty shot, but still was able to get the pass off for six. He stayed calm when pressure came, always knowing where his hot routes were and hitting them on time. And that arm strength? Effortless. The ball just jumps out of his hand. All in all, it was a really lively, confident performance and a strong way to open 2025.     Dodson turned in one of those games that makes you see why the coaching staff has so much faith in him. He piled up 317 yards and three scores through the air on 19-of-29 passing, and added another 116 yards and two touchdowns with his legs. What stood out wasn't just the stat line, but how he got there — quick decisions, smooth reads, and the ability to improvise when plays broke down. He kept his feet moving, extended drives, and when he took off he ran with power but also the smarts to slide when needed. Mix in some crafty arm angles to squeeze throws in, and you've got the complete package. It's easy to see why Chandler Prep leans on him so heavily.     Judd put on a show in Week 1, tossing for 315 yards and four touchdowns on 23-of-31 passing while also adding 69 yards and another score on the ground. The thing with him is you can tell Benson's offense is comfortable leaning into his versatility — they even ran a quirky, overly-spaced-out option look where instead of pitching, he slung a full backwards throw, and he had the athleticism to make it work. He's smooth throwing on the move to either side, twisting his torso mid-air and still keeping it on target. Even when some center exchanges got messy, he handled it without flinching. Around the pocket, he stayed composed, never dropping his eyes from downfield. Pair that with a strong gameplan and the execution to match, and you've got a performance that makes people pay attention.     Thill was steady and sharp all night, putting up 292 yards and three touchdowns on 13-of-22 passing. He's not the guy trying to wow you with a 70‑yard bomb every other play, but the way he runs the show is just as impressive. His footwork is polished, he's quick to reset his eyes, and he hits his throws in rhythm without hesitation. The best part is that he never panicked or pressed. Every snap felt under control — if the shot wasn't there, he checked it down and kept the chains moving. That type of patience and efficiency doesn't always make the highlight reel, but it's exactly what keeps an offense humming. Watching him run things, you get the sense he's the guy teammates trust to keep everything calm and on schedule, and that's a huge asset for Crismon heading into the season.     Vance absolutely torched the defense in Week 1, hauling in five catches for 179 yards and three touchdowns. What jumps off the tape is his straight‑line speed — once he opens up those long strides, good luck catching him. He's not a jitterbug type who's going to shake three guys in a phone booth, but he doesn't need to be. His timing on breaks and the way he sells his routes make defenders bite just enough, and once he slips by, it's over. He turned routine plays into home runs, and every time the ball found his hands the crowd was waiting for fireworks. Crismon's offense fed off that spark, and it's clear he's going to be a nightmare matchup all season.     Sarchet stuffed the box score in Week 1 with 199 all-purpose yards, scoring in just about every way you can. He ran for 65 yards and two touchdowns, caught a pair of passes for 53 yards and another score, and even took a kickoff back 81 yards to the house. What stood out, though, was the attitude he ran with — speed and strength working together, and absolutely no quit when defenders thought they had him wrapped up behind the line. He slipped tackles, bounced off arm grabs, and turned what should have been losses into chunk plays. Every touch felt like it had big-play potential, and Blue Ridge leaned on that energy to keep piling it on.     Williams exploded in Week 1 with a stat line you almost have to double-check: five catches, 174 yards, and four touchdowns. And remember — he's only a sophomore. What makes him so fun to watch is the natural playmaking ability he shows once the ball's in his hands. He's not overthinking it, just reacting, trusting his instincts, and making defenders look silly in the process. His routes are clean, his timing is on point, and once he gets into open space, he has the kind of burst that flips the game in a hurry. Performances like this don't come around often, and if it's any indication of what's ahead, Heritage Academy's offense is going to be must-see this season.     Speir came up just shy of finding the end zone, but his impact was undeniable — five catches for 195 yards tells the story well enough. He's a big-bodied target who can shrug off press coverage with his hands and then pick up steam once he gets moving. On the opening play, he actually had a clear lane to score, but he wasn't the only receiver wide open on the play, so the ball went elsewhere for a touchdown. Even so, he kept showing up with chunk plays, using those long strides to separate downfield and punishing tacklers after the catch. It was the kind of performance that'll make defenses rethink how they want to line up against him next week.     Valentino was electric in San Carlos' opener, racking up 208 yards and three scores on just 13 carries, while also adding 73 yards through the air on three catches. What really jumped out was his versatility — he lined up in the slot and ran crisp routes, then shifted into the Wildcat and kept defenses guessing. Not every snap was simple, but he made it work, flashing that breakaway gear and a little wiggle that turned would‑be tacklers into ankle-breaking victims. Every time he touched the ball, there was a chance it was going the distance. It was the kind of all‑around performance that energizes a whole team and puts opponents on notice for the weeks ahead.

Week 0 didn't waste any time giving us fireworks. Arizona's first slate of games saw offenses come out swinging, and a handful of guys made sure their names were the ones fans were talking about on the ride home. From quarterbacks slinging darts under pressure to skill players breaking away for long scores, it felt like a sneak peek into just how fun this season is going to be. Here's a look at some of the standouts who stole the spotlight right out of the gate.