All-Tribune First Team Offense

All-Tribune First Team

Division II football state championship

For the first 10 years of this century, the boys volleyball landscape was startlingly consistent.

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:

All-Tribune First Team Offense

The 2006 high school volleyball season didn’t begin to Scottsdale Desert Mountain’s Tara Mueller’s liking. It sure ended the way she wanted.

Maybe the best way to measure Teddy Ruben’s value isn’t what he meant to Saguaro on the field, but what it would have been like without him.

‘Tis the time of (post-)season for nominations.

A lot of new faces and a few old ones.

Tis the time of (post-)season for nominations.

An early look at what to watch in Division II this season:

Cody Martin’s spring went so well that it really messed with his plans.

Cody Martin’s spring went so well that it really messed with his plans.

It has never happened before — Mesa Red Mountain entering a season as the clear favorite to win the 5A Division I basketball crown.

St. Mary’s re-entered its name in the 5A girls basketball world in the 2002-03 season with a group of freshman players led by guards Dymond Simon and Nicole Neals. The next year the Lady Knights were perfect.

There have been many standout achievements by male sports stars throughout the year, and we’ve narrowed it down to the best of the best. With the school year behind us, let’s take a look at the candidates for the Tribune’s 2010-11 Male Athlete of the Year. To vote, click here. Our selection will be announced June 26:

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.

Not since George Bush Sr. took office and the Berlin Wall came down had Mountain View been blanked on the scoreboard.

It’s an interesting juxtaposition.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. As far as the 2011 high school track and field season goes, that phrase could not be more true.

“The Tillman Story” features footage of the glowing tributes to Pat Tillman in football stadiums, his family on the field appearing stoic, almost uncomfortable.

Three days left until Christmas. I had better start shopping.

The hype, hoopla and any other synonym that starts with ‘H’ ends here.