Breaking Records, Earning Offers And Making Commitments

Brandon Phelps Ready To Set Records 

As ALA Gilbert North prepares for their matchup against Higley, Knight’s wide receiver Brandon Phelps is well on the way to breaking state records. 

👨🏼‍🦱🔝 @alaGNathletics @ArizonaFBall @Coach_KC84 @CoachOmura @CoachJeddFisch pic.twitter.com/xVOI2MSEQY

— Brandon Phelps (@_BrandonPhelps_) September 25, 2023

The University of Arizona commit is now in the same conversation as Christian Kirk and Kade Warner as he approaches Friday’s game against the Knights. 

“It’s cool to be in the same conversation as the big dawgs in the NFL before I started football I never even had a thought of having these kinds of records, all I can thank is god and my family for pushing me.”

Phelps is just one touchdown away from breaking Christian Kirk’s touchdown record of 51 and is only 85 yards away from breaking Kirk’s record of 3,943. He’s also just 14 catches away from breaking Kade Warner’s receptions record set at Desert Mountain. While being talked about in the same breath as Christian Kirk and Kade Warner has been rewarding for Phelps, he’s more focussed on team success. 

“The record really aren’t on my mind, I just want to go out and have fun. My legacy won’t be decided on my records it will be decided on how I affected my team and the people around me.”

Brandon is confident that the chemistry of this ALA Gilbert North team has all the ingredients to find success this season and repeat a State Championship. 

MaxPreps Features Two Arizona Matchups In This Week’s National Top 10

The No. 1 and No. 8 games of the week are happening right here in AZ! I'll be at Centennial v. Chandler this Friday. Where will you be? https://t.co/AMMf1rtyg7

— Claudia Collins (@ClaudiafCollins) October 4, 2023

There’s no question that Arizona HSFB has cemented its place as one of the top states for high school football. This week Basha at Hamilton is ranked as the No. 8 game nationally, while Centennial at Chandler tops the chart at No. 1. 

The undefeated streak will come to an end for the Coyotes or the Wolves on Friday evening. Both teams fall among the top 100 programs in the country (Chandler No. 22, Centennial No. 65) and boast Division I talent and years of coaching success. 

If Centennial upsets Chandler then Richard Taylor will tie for fourth in all-time head coaching victories nationally. The Coyotes only need to win eight games this season in order for Taylor to tie for third all-time. 

Pinnacle’s Krush Sowers Commits To Southern Utah

COMMITTED!!!!! All glory to God!!✝️

Go Thunderbirds!!!!🔴⚪️@delanefitz @OlineCoachWhite @coachtyehiatt pic.twitter.com/bjT6c1zazS

— Krush Sowers (@krush_sowers) October 4, 2023

Pinnacle’s interior offensive lineman Krush Sowers announced his commitment to Southern Utah University on Tuesday afternoon. 

“It feels like the right fit because of all the love and support I got from the Southern Utah staff specifically Coach White, Coach Hiatt and Coach Fitzgerald. It felt like home!”

Southern Utah has a reputation for recruiting guys from State 48 but Sowers is the first commitment to the Thunderbirds from the class of 2024. 

“The coaches see me showing integrity on and off the field to represent the culture at Southern Utah. The coaches also see me going in working to be able to start as soon as possible. I’m hoping to make an impact on the program when I get to Southern Utah with hard work and dedication. The coaches at Southern Utah see me playing center for them.”

Krush says this season he’s feeling stronger and more confident than ever. He’s helped lead his team to a 5-1 start this season as the Pioneers prepare to host Liberty this Friday. 

Kaden Haeckel Earns Offer From Colgate

Before this week Haeckel had two Division I offers – from the University of San Diego and Northern Arizona University. On Wednesday evening he earned his third DI offer from Colgate University. 

The 6-foot-5, 285-pound offensive tackle has done all the right things to get noticed by college programs – He attended several camps, maintains a 4.0 GPA and he consistently posts stats and videos of him lifting on his “X” profile. 

Took 515 pounds for a ride today!!!@Coach_Gloden @coachthomasfb @LibertyFBLions @lion_liberty @CoachPerrone @MyRecruits_ pic.twitter.com/W8BXqbqtau

— Kaden Haeckel (@HaeckelKaden52) June 20, 2023

This year he’s worked on becoming a better leader for his team. 

“[I’m] Giving it all I had every play, trusting my assignment and what I was taught, plus listening to what my coaches and other players feedback on the plays.”