The Specialists’ Spotlight: 5A Region Special Teams PoY

<p>Special teams might not get the same spotlight as offense or defense, but ask any coach — they can win or lose you a game just as fast. Whether it's flipping the field on a deep punt, drilling a clutch kick, or breaking loose for a momentum-shifting return, special teams is where discipline meets chaos. Every snap in the kicking game carries weight, and the guys who thrive in those moments usually don't get enough credit. There's no official Special Teams Player of the Year award for each region, but if there were, these would be my picks — the players who showed just how important that third phase of football really is. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5A Central Valley</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">When Sunnyslope needed someone reliable on special teams, senior Lucas Goldstein was that guy. The kind of player who gave coaches confidence no matter the situation, whether it was pinning an opponent deep with a booming punt or tacking on extra points after every touchdown. He piled up 62 total kicking points on the season, going 50-for-50 on PATs and knocking through four field goals (including a 44-yarder), while averaging just over 41 yards per punt. That combination of accuracy and power made him one of the most complete specialists in 5A.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5A Desert West</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Daniel Meadows didn't just have a steady leg — he had a cannon. The senior kicker routinely crushed kickoffs deep into the end zone, piling up 4,044 kickoff yards on the season and booming not one, but two field goals from 45 yards out. Every time he stepped up, the ball exploded off his foot, changing field position and momentum in an instant. Meadows' blend of accuracy, natural power, and poise under pressure made him an easy pick for Special Teams Player of the Year.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5A Metro</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson gave South Mountain a real edge in the third phase this year with the kind of speed and burst that makes special teams exciting. The senior turned kickoffs into highlight chances, averaging more than 31 yards per return and piling up 348 return yards in just five games. Twice, he took kicks all the way back for scores, showing how quickly he could flip momentum with one cut and a burst through traffic. When the ball was in his hands, the Jaguars knew they had a shot to start deep in enemy territory. His mix of vision, confidence, and acceleration made South Mountain's return game one of the most dangerous in 5A.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5A Northeast Valley</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1719052' first='Palmer' last='Podwika'] showed why he's one of the best kickers in the state this season. The Horizon senior didn't just handle his job — he made it look effortless, launching kickoffs that routinely sailed into the end zone and drilling field goals that most high school kickers wouldn't even attempt. He finished the year 47-for-47 on PATs and connected on eight field goals, including multiple from beyond 45 yards out. He even has a 49-yard bomb on his resume, proving his leg strength is the real deal. Add in 49 touchbacks on kickoffs, and it's clear why he's such an asset. Podwika's power, consistency, and next-level focus make him a kicker who's going to help a college program right away.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5A Northwest</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">The 5A Northwest didn't have one of those super obvious standouts on special teams this year, but what separated Cactus freshman Aidyn Prinz was just how clean and consistent he was — week after week, game after game. He knocked through 38 of 39 extra points and was perfect on field goals, going 2-for-2, but it's not just the numbers that stand out. For a freshman, having that kind of composure and consistency is extremely impressive. He also has the kind of power that can flip the field on kickoffs, forcing opponents to start deep in their own territory. In a region with no obvious favorite, being nearly automatic — and doing it as a freshman — made Prinz impossible to overlook.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5A San Tan</h2>   <p>I thought both of these guys were so dominant on special teams that I just didn't feel comfortable leaving either of them off this list. So, we get <strong>Co-Special Teams Players of the Year</strong>: </p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Guy was flat-out electric with the ball in his hands all season. The Gilbert standout didn't just rack up numbers — he made big plays feel routine. He led the region with 720 total return yards, averaging over 42 yards per kickoff return, and took five special teams touchdowns to the house — four on kickoffs and another on a punt. Any time the ball was kicked his direction, fans leaned forward, because it felt like something could happen. That blend of speed, vision, and confidence made him one of the most dangerous return men in the state.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Orduno, on the other hand, showed off one of the biggest legs you'll find at the high school level. The Mountain Pointe senior didn't just put points on the board — he changed field position and momentum every time he stepped on the field. He went 34-for-35 on PATs and was perfect on all 11 of his field goals, including five games with makes from 40-plus yards and a season-long 51-yarder that looked good from a few more. His range, accuracy, and confidence under pressure made him the kind of kicker every coach dreams of having.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5A Sonoran</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='992826' first='Jayden' last='Thomas'] was a difference-maker for Buena this year. The senior defensive back and return specialist gave opponents nightmares in the kicking game, leading the Sonoran region with 643 total return yards across just nine games. He averaged more than 30 yards per kickoff return and routinely flipped the field, giving Buena's offense great starting position. It wasn't just the numbers that made him stand out — it was how his confidence and aggressiveness set the tone for the Colts' special teams unit. Whether it was catching kicks in traffic or finding daylight where there shouldn't be any, Thomas brought that steady mix of speed and fearlessness that you want in a return man.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5A Southern</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Cienega's Ayden Billings made life tough on opposing special teams units all year long. The senior receiver and defensive back brought game-breaking ability every time he fielded a kick, averaging a ridiculous 50.3 yards per punt return to lead the Southern region. Across nine games, he totaled 421 return yards and two punt-return touchdowns, constantly giving his offense a short field. Even when he didn't take one all the way, defenses had to respect his speed and vision, often kicking away from him entirely. That kind of impact doesn't always show up in the box score, but every coach in the region knew how quickly Billings could change a game.</p>

Special teams might not get the same spotlight as offense or defense, but ask any coach — they can win or lose you a game just as fast. Whether it's flipping the field on a deep punt, drilling a clutch kick, or breaking loose for a momentum-shifting return, special teams is where discipline meets chaos. Every snap in the kicking game carries weight, and the guys who thrive in those moments usually don't get enough credit. There's no official Special Teams Player of the Year award for each region, but if there were, these would be my picks — the players who showed just how important that third phase of football really is.