All-Tribune First Team Offense

Dennis Erickson has hit the trifecta in coaching honors in the Pac-10. The first-year leader of the Arizona State program on Monday was named the conference’s coach of the year, an honor he received at Washington State (1988) and Oregon State (2000).

Saguaro running back D.J. Foster and Chaparral wide receiver Davonte Neal ran wild on opposing defenses last year, putting up eye-popping numbers and leading their teams to state championships. It’s doubtful that any skill player will accumulate statistics approaching those marks this year, but Friday nights certainly won’t lack in star power. A host of offensive standouts return to their teams for another year of high school football. Here are five players who will be worth the price of admission this season:

Not many teams can lose a pair of college-bound stars and be just as good as the year before.

All-Tribune First Team Offense

There wasn’t much question about the best boys basketball team in Division I last year, as Corona del Sol finished the season on a 30-game winning streak and cruised past Laveen Cesar Chavez for the state championship.

Luke Macchiaroli was seldom challenged this season. Or rather, he was seldom challenged by other wrestlers.

When Peoria Centennial routed Chandler Hamilton early in the 2008 prep football season, the Coyotes staked their claim to the title of best team in Arizona.

The difference between Chandler Hamilton coach Steve Belles’ first year and second year guiding the Huskies was one fewer win. A 13-1 campaign followed by a 12-1. That single discrepancy in record was not playing in the title game and hence not winning the championship.

The Carl Hayden and Phoenix Alhambra boys basketball teams combined to go 14-36 this season.

The Carl Hayden and Phoenix Alhambra boys basketball teams combined to go 14-36 this season.

The Carl Hayden and Phoenix Alhambra boys basketball teams combined to go 14-36 this season.

The 2006 prep track and field season opens with some interesting questions. The Wolves broke Mountain View's two-year hold on the 5A championship and appear talented enough to make it two straight of their own.

Saguaro running back D.J. Foster and Chaparral wide receiver Davonte Neal ran wild on opposing defenses last year, putting up eye-popping numbers and leading their teams to state championships.

Players to Watch

Kelsey Lawson may have been the best girls tennis player in the East Valley (again), but she was unofficially second place in her own house.

Kelsey Lawson may have been the best girls tennis player in the East Valley (again), but she was unofficially second place in her own house.

It wasn’t hard to choose last year’s Tribune Player of the Year, as Saguaro running back D.J. Foster broke several state records, ran for 508 yards and 10 touchdowns in one game and led the Sabercats to the Division III state title.

They are at the top of their sport, seven wrestlers ranging from small (Gilbert’s Adrian Rios at 103 pounds) to large (Mountain View’s Pedro Garcia at 275 pounds). Combined, the seven have 262 wins and zero defeats on the year.

It wasn’t hard to choose last year’s Tribune Player of the Year, as Saguaro running back D.J. Foster broke several state records, ran for 508 yards and 10 touchdowns in one game and led the Sabercats to the Division III state title.

While 11 regular season wins and a trip to the Rose Bowl is an outlandish forecast for Arizona State football, some longtime watchers of the team will tell you they feel the 2005 Sun Devils are capable of something big.