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Best in the West 2024: Breaking Through

Devon Henry

The 2024 Arizona high school football season is already nearly upon us as the summer heat prepares to meet Friday night lights. Best in the West has been checking in on schools across the West Valley as we get one day closer to helmets snapping on and grass being painted.

 

Taking the Next Step

Riding a slew of momentum, the Youngker Roughriders are looking to make noise out of Buckeye. Last year’s 6-4 record marked the second-highest winning percentage in program history but still kept them just one spot short of a spot in the 4A Conference State Tournament.

“Having back-to-back winning seasons but each time falling short of that playoff and not beating our rival has helped us ramp up our expectations,” Head Coach, Josh Sekoch, told Best in the West.

At the core of the Youngker offense will be the men in the trenches. Four of the Roughrider’s offensive linemen are three-year varsity starters, including seniors, Julian Chacon snapping at center, Bernardo Alvear moving to right tackle after previous seasons at center and guard, two-way lineman Jordan Aceves, and the monstrous 6-foot-6 Hayden Williams.

Plenty of two-way athletes headline YHS on both sides of the ball. Soon-to-be junior, Isaiah Hargrove, will be a team captain for a second year and plays both ways at SS and RB. Jeremiah Garcia, who ranked fourth on the team with 42 tackles in 2023 and is Youngker’s star shortstop, will add starting QB to his resume while also returning to the free safety position. A transfer one year ago, Jalen Walker, returns at DB where he swiped two INTs and two fumble recoveries last year and will also join the receiving room.

“It’s important for our culture that we have a sport-life balance and we expect our football ‘guys’ to be involved in campus and play at least one other sport. Most of our top guys play 2 and some 3 sports, we want them competing year-round, it’s important that kids in the area know at Youngker if you want to and can play other sports, it’s part of our fabric.”

Coach Sekoch will also be looking at a pair of transfers to be contributors. Linebacker, Cameron Jackson has moved in from Dysart, and offensive lineman, Johnny Su’a joins the Roughriders from Arkansas. Also, keep an eye on a pair of sophomores to be explosive playmakers in the receiving core with slot receiver, Larry Moore, and hybrid TE/WR Jonas Shannon-Phillips. Youngker also looks forward to seeing the addition of baseball player, Nolan Rivera, who could play three different positions on offense, defense, and the special teams unit.

Youngker kicks off the 2024 season with a three-game road trip, facing off against its two sister schools, Estrella Foothills on Aug. 29, and Buckeye Union on Sept. 6.

 

A New Wrinkle Every Year

Change has been the norm at Copper Canyon and after three seasons playing in three different conferences. Another change arrives at the Glendale school for the 2024 season as Rodger Schenks takes over the reins as head coach at CCHS.

After playing in the 6A Conference in 2021 and 5A in 2022, the 2023 season saw the Aztecs play another group of unfamiliar foes, competing in the 4A Conference for the first time. A disappointing 2-8 season still showcased some bright spots against Desert Sunrise and Washington with intentions to build momentum into 2024.

“As a Football program very excited about establishing a winning and disciplined culture,” Head Coach, Rodger Schenks, told Best in the West. “Four players have already been offered scholarships and we are increasing numbers every day.

“As a program, we are helping young men get to the next level and teaching them to play football at a high level. It is going to take time but the foundation and changing the mindset into a winning culture is exciting to see.”

Leaders on this year’s Copper Canyon squad include Luis Rojas, Nolan Huizar, John Alexander, Javier Castro. All four players are 3.5 GPA students and have been key pieces this offseason.

Up-and-coming players for the Aztecs includes receiver and safety Malaki Rodriquez, as well as running back and defensive back Mark Enriquez. Coach Schenks will also keep an eye on punter/kicker, Chris Robles, to make an impact in 2024.

“I am very excited about the positive culture we are establishing at Copper Canyon,” Coach Schenks said. “The Administration team and staff has been very supportive. As the new Head football coach, I am trying hard to work with every teacher, club, activity, and sports [program] to bring a sense of community and positive high school experience.”

Copper Canyon will have some familiarity in their schedule for the first time in years with a duplicate list of opponents compared to last year but this will still be just the second or third matchup in program history against each of those ten schools. The Aztecs open their 2024 season at home against Cholla on Aug. 29.

 

 

The season is nearly here, so be sure to go out and support your local teams as a new chapter begins in just a few weeks! Join in on the conversation on Twitter using #FridayNight360AZ and follow @Sports360AZ to keep up with the action from across the state this season!

Related posts:

Best in the West: Rising in Spring

Best in the West – Final Preparations Arizona Sports News online

Best in the West: Sept. 30, 2022 Spotlight

Best in the West: 2023 Sophomore Seasons Part I

Arizona native, Devon Henry, joined the Sports360AZ crew in 2018 after graduating from Arizona State's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Communication. Devon has avidly partaken in coverage of the Arizona high school sports scene since 2013 and has covered NASCAR and INDYCAR at Phoenix Raceway since 2017. Devon is also a play-by-play announcer, calling over a dozen different sports and hundreds of events.

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