Colt Almodova is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Arcadia High School for AZPreps365.com 

Arcadia football has a fresh face in town with new head coach Vance Miller, who looks to put the Titans on the top of the 4A for years to come.

“My number one goal is to build a program,” Miller said.

Miller was named coach in January, taking over for now San Tan Charter head coach Kerry Taylor, who stepped down from the program last November. Miller is not a new face to Arizona high school football. The Phoenix native and Saguaro High School alumnus spent the past six seasons at the helm of Apache Junction football, leading the program to two trips to the playoffs during his tenure.

Taking over a football program amidst a pandemic hasn’t been easy. With a 9-month-old child at home, Miller was relying on Zoom meetings throughout the summer to connect with his new players.

“I had to learn a new level of patience, that’s not something that comes easy for most football coaches,” Miller said.

Thankfully for Miller, most of his coaching staff from Apache Junction has joined him at Arcadia, allowing his players to, “all hear the same voice” when it comes to implementing the Titans’ new system. With practices in full swing, Miller’s goal has been to “establish those relationships and build those trusts” from the seniors to the freshmen.

“We’ve been very successful at getting everybody on board and getting everybody to buy in, which has made things really sharp,” Miller said. “But there’s still definitely a long way to go.”

The star player for the Titans is senior Trey Brown, who tallied 12 sacks last season and has committed to Duke University. Miller said Brown, who has seen time as a defensive end and tight end in years past, will be starting at outside linebacker this season.

“His potential is just limitless,” Miller said. “He just has that natural instinct for football, and he plays extremely well, so he’ll do well at the next level.”

Miller has also named junior Jack Benson as the starting quarterback, calling Benson a “smart kid” who can “sling it.”

“I think we have a lot of pieces on both sides of the ball,” Miller said. “If we stay healthy, I think we’re going to make a run, we’re going to make some noise, and I think Titan football is going to be even more recognized than it has been in the past.”

Coming off of two consecutive 6-4 seasons in the 4A, the Titans' 2020 campaign includes new competition, as they are now competing in the 4A Black Canyon alongside Poston Butte, Combs, Tempe and Apache Junction.

The goal for Arcadia is making the playoffs, a feat the school has not achieved since 2015.

“Right now, there’s definitely not a kid out there that doesn’t think that we’re going to be in the playoffs,” Miller said. “Right now, in 4A, it’s anybody’s trophy this year.”

Arcadia football has its “eyes on the prize” this season, hoping to bring a state championship back to Phoenix for the first time since the 1962 Titan team led by legendary head coach Bob Hendricks. The Titans begin their 2020 season at home on Oct. 2 against Buckeye Union at 7 p.m.