Zone Read: Counting Down the Days

A Premiere Quarterback Scramble

Elite QB play has become commonplace in the Premiere Region for well over a decade.

The list is endless – Brock and Chubba Purdy (Perry), Jacob Conover and Mikey Keene (Chandler), Travis Lockhart and Nicco Marchiol (Hamilton), Ryan Kelley and Demond Williams, Jr. (Basha), and Landon Jury (Casteel).

Heading into this season there are no returning marquee names behind center. While expectations are high amongst the CUSD head coaches for this group, there are far more unknowns than proven commodities.

Let’s start with what we know, Casteel senior Paul Palmer is looking to build off a junior campaign which saw him throw 10 touchdowns, against just one interception. He also rushed for four scores.

“Zone Read” asked Sports360AZ.com’s Ralph Amsden for his thoughts on the Colts’ QB1.

“One of the things our good friend Chilly used to do during and after the pandemic, was try to make up for the loss in total games and overall media coverage by covering all three levels. One of the games he attended was back in September of 2021, where Casteel freshman Paul Palmer went head-to-head with then-Hamilton QB Kalen Fisher (now at Highland).

“It was back then that I fully jumped onto the Paul Palmer hype train, especially with weapons like Elijah Beamon at his disposal. Seeing a preview of what the lefty gunslinger could do last year was great, but I’ll admit, it came later in his prep career than I expected.

“I honestly think his five-touchdown performance against Valley Vista last year was a preview of things to come, and having a senior tight end like Merrik Kubiaki, and a running back like Mason Lewis, might make Casteel the sleeper offense of 2025 in a region where they’ve often been an afterthought.”

Cody’s Camp Confidential – American Leadership Academy Ironwood

With the regular season just around the corner, Sports360AZ.com’s Cody Cameron takes a closer look at one of the rising 3A programs.

“For this week’s Camp Confidential, we’re going back into the 3A to spotlight the ALA Ironwood Warriors. Led by second-year head coach, Loren Dawson, the Warriors have the potential to make some serious noise in 3A this season.

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GREAT group of Seniors. Persevered through much last 3 years. Incredibly united. Love each other and “their program”. Grown into Great Leaders. They’re prepared to “Make it their Best” year. pic.twitter.com/gsAJIJhflN

— Loren Dawson (@Coach_DawsonRSP) July 22, 2024

“In Dawson’s first year with the program, the Warriors went on to have their best season record, and first playoff appearance, since joining the AIA eight years prior.

“The Warriors return plenty of talent from last year’s team, including one of the best running backs in the state in senior tailback Ayden Williams (1759 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns). On the defensive side of the ball, the Warriors return one of the best overall playmakers in the 3A Conference in senior defensive back, Marques Dorsey. Dorsey led the Warriors in tackles (109), interceptions (5), and forced fumbles (5) last season.

“He’s a tremendous multi-sport athlete with great grades and film. I expect him to land on college radars this recruiting cycle.”

“This has been spoken about frequently this off-season on the Sports360AZ platforms, but you can not talk about ALA Ironwood’s off-season without mentioning the addition of former and long-time ACP head football coach, Myron Blueford, joining the Warriors’ staff.

“Coach Blueford will help elevate this program to heights that it has never gone before. Even with all the time he spends on the field, it’s the time and effort he spends helping his players on the college recruiting trail that makes him one of the best. 

“This is the most talented and physically ready ALA Ironwood program I’ve personally seen. The Warriors have a legitimate chance at making a run in the 3A playoffs. I’m excited to see how far the Warriors can go this season.”

They Said It

Ty Thompson didn’t have any problems getting high-major college offers.

More importantly, 4-star dual threat quarterback received all 18 of them playing for Gilbert Mesquite, a 4A school which was on no one’s radar until Thompson led the Wildcats to back-to-back state championships his junior and senior seasons.

His advice for current AZHS players hoping to play at the next level is simple: you don’t need to find colleges, colleges will find you – if your football resume’ is deserving.

“Looking back at it, I was a big fish in a small pond,” Thompson said to Sports360AZ.com’s Brad Cesmat. “I was friends with all my guys that went to Saguaro, Hamilton, and Chandler. They were competing for Open Division Championships and 6A and 5A Championships.  They were all telling me, ‘Man, you’re not going to get recruited out of [Mesquite]. You need to come with us and we’ll win a National Championship,’ or whatever it’s going to be.

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2x 🏆 pic.twitter.com/wDc87iK2JF

— ArizonaVarsity.com 🔥PREPS🔥 (@AZHSFB) December 12, 2020

“I think that is where my loyalty to my school and my home really grew. Eventually, I became the best player in Arizona out of Mesquite. I had how ever many offers, I had how ever many stars, and I ended up [at Oregon] from Mesquite.

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TY THOMPSON Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year! This is a well earned well deserved award for the best player in the State. Mesquite Football is Proud of Ty for how much pride he has helped bring to the two time State Champs! We are rooting for you at Oregon! pic.twitter.com/MIuKnM1e7W

— Mesquite Football (@mesqwildcatFB) May 13, 2021

“I goes to show you that loyalty to a school and being true to yourself and your home will always pay off. That is sort of how I ended up staying for three years at [Oregon]. It’s because I was loyal and I knew there was a process to be had. Keep the main thing the main thing which is, staying where your feet are and not being worried about anybody else or anywhere else.”

You can hear the whole interview here.

36-straight…and Counting

Ralph also brought this to my attention earlier this week.

There are student-athletes getting it done, and there’s Tucson Amphitheater High junior linebacker, Jacob Espinoza.

The production is there on the field, as well. Espinoza was an All-Region performer for Panthers last season after tallying 40 tackles in eight games played for 7-3 Amphi.