ANOTHER WHITE MOUNTAIN STORM FROM BLUE RIDGE IN 3A

Note: This preview focuses on schools throughout the City of Phoenix, the northwest and southwest Valley, western, northern and northeastern Arizona.

By Don Ketchum

Fans in the White Mountains area of northeast Arizona are passionate about their football, and they are looking forward to seeing Chantz and Chayse and a wide-open race in the Class 3A East Region.

The former scenario? No problem. Round Valley quarterback Chantz Davis and Lakeside Blue Ridge running back Chayse Russell will shine on Friday nights.

The latter scenario? Probably not, with Russell and his Blue Ridge teammates expected to grab all the marbles in the region and perhaps secure a second straight state title and 12^th banner overall under longtime coach Paul Moro.

As if the truckload of talent returning from Blue Ridge’s 41-21 win over region foe Show Low for the state crown wasn’t enough, Moro got a bonus with the transfer of Russell from 3A North Winslow and quarterback-safety Jordan Morgan from Class 2A champion Chandler Valley Christian.

Winslow will square off with Davis in the Aug. 27 season opener in the Round Valley Dome in Eagar.

The 3A East had three playoff participants in 2009, with Round Valley joining Blue Ridge and Show Low.

Show Low again will be strong, led by coach Randy Ricedorff. His son, Rathen, has developed into one of the state’s top quarterbacks and passed for nearly 3,000 yards and 41 touchdowns last season.

Payson and Snowflake will have new coaches, Byron Quinlan and Ron Tenney, respectively. Snowflake fans hope Tenney can work some of the magic that helped him lead Heber Mogollon into the Class 1A eight-man playoffs on a regular basis.

In the 3A West Region, Goodyear Estrella Foothills has a chance to be the front-runner under new coach Lamar Early. But don’t count out Chino Valley, led by coach Bob David.

Estrella Foothills is led by running back-linebacker Josh Trejo, who was one of the top players in the region last season.

David’s Chino Valley team is loaded with returning starters, nine on offense and eight on defense.

“We have a chance to be pretty good if we stay healthy and keep our focus,’’ David said.

His team has good size up front with 6-foot-4, 260-pound Anthony Hogan and 6-2, 260-pound Justin Kraft. Running back Lance Millsap should put up significant numbers, and quarterback Josh Custodio is developing into a leader.

Wickenburg also has a new head coach, Bobby Gonzalo, a longtime assistant at Peoria. Gonzalo wants to make the most of his chance.

Though Russell has departed Winslow, Bulldogs coach Rusty Robertson still has a solid group remaining, namely quarterback Kraig Shirley, and that should allow the team to earn another 3A North title.

Bryan Begay has 20 lettermen back at Kayenta Monument Valley, including seven starters on offense and nine on defense.

The team’s top players are 6-4, 250-pound tackle Shawn Speck, a three year starter, linebacker Dakota Kay, guard-linebacker Justin Succo and wide receiver-cornerback Preston Parrish.

“He has great hands,’’ Begay said of Parrish.

Others playing key roles are running back-linebacker Kameron Isaac, wide receiver-quarterback-safety Alan Todachine, and center Stenson Osif.

Chinle will feature a new coach, Timothy Su’e Su’e Liafua.