Brady Hanson is an ASU Cronkite journalism student covering Arizona College Prep this semester.

Arizona College Prep looks to make a statement with a young offense in the 4A Desert Sky this season.

With this year being its first in the Desert Sky, ACP wants to gain the respect and establish itself as a threat.

Last year the Knights finished 5-5, placing them third in the 3A Metro East division. This season they seek their third winning season in six years. With only 15 seniors, ACP wants to build a successful team with its young core, starting with sophomore quarterback Jaxon Castro.

In two games, Castro has completed 47 of 71 passes for 474 yards and two touchdowns. ACP is 1-1.

“I’m just ready to show people that I am ready to lead the team,” Castro said. “We’re a newer school and I just want to put their name out there and lead the team.”

Of course, every young offense needs an experienced leader. ACP has one in senior center Marco Palafox.

“We’ve had leaders before, some great, some not, and I just want to be the guy that everyone looks to, to be that leader,” Palafox said. “I just want to be the guy where they hear the name ‘Marco’ and it leaves a mark.”

Palafox also explained how much of a tight family this offense is, calling the Knights a “family outside of a family.”

Running backs Ravi Bushanham and Biruk Stephens should be a good one-two punch. In two games, Bushanham has run 33 times for 136 yards and a touchdown. Stephens has run 23 times for 113 yards and a touchdown. Both running backs are seniors and look to end their final seasons at ACP with a bang.

Coach Myron Blueford is in his sixth season leading ACP. He is excited to see what this young offense has to offer.

“We are just a really well-balanced offense,” Blueford said. “We have a sophomore quarterback that is starting for the first time. We have a stable of running backs that I think are really good in Biruk and Ravi. It’s kind of like 1A, 1B, they bring different dynamics to the table. Our offensive line is really physical -- when they are locked in they are probably one of the more communicative types. Our core receivers are probably our deepest position so we rotate receivers quite a bit.”