Area football players were snubbed on the All-Arizona team voted on by the football coaches association.

All-Tribune First Team Offense

There's no place Ramon Abreu would rather be than on the football field. The last two seasons, particularly this past season, he spent more time on the field arguably than anyone. And Abreu's time was more than just quantity. It was quality.

All the accolades wouldn’t have mattered much without the ring. Scottsdale Saguaro quarterback Tim Ruben hit the elusive 2,000-yard rushing, 2,000-yard passing milestone in the third quarter of the 4A-I championship game against Tucson Canyon del Oro on Dec. 8, but it was the furthest thing from his mind one quarter later.

All-Tribune First Team

All-Tribune First Team

A couple of lasting impressions from Ridge Nielsen’s football career at Mesa Mountain View took place the final two weeks of 2006.

There aren’t too many more unusual names than Riggs Lennon.

The early unveiling of this season’s high school boys soccer map isn’t too far removed from most of the past few years’ worth of championship geography.

Life in the shadows isn’t all bad, but Sherod Hardt prefers to have a little light shining his way.

All-Tribune First Team Offense

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

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

At this point, a state title by any team but Chandler would be considered an upset in girls track and field. The Wolves have won three straight championships, and, led by Larissa Matthews, have their eyes on yet another.

With his high school career complete and neatly filed alongside other East Valley baseball legends, Tim Alderson doesn’t need long to remember his worst game.

Mesa High’s Aaron Fuller had a wealth of motivation heading into the 2007-08 basketball season.

Even before he entered high school, impossible expectations were thrust upon Matt Carlino. Two years later, he’s somehow lived up to them. Carlino entered his freshman year at Gilbert Highland already a household name in basketball circles, and the first year had its ups and downs.

The balance of power keeps shifting in the major boys sports this school year. In football, the Fiesta Region reigned supreme. The Central Region has dominated during the the boys basketball season.

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.

It’s the year of the returning pitcher locally. Good news for Chandler Hamilton, Mesa Desert Ridge, Gilbert Highland, Mesa High, Mesa Red Mountain, Gilbert High and Mesa Skyline. Bad news if your staff is lacking a true ace or your untested hurlers can’t step up.

It’s getting closer to crossing that coveted line between good and elite, and though it’s only been a varsity program for five years, Chandler Basha wants take one more step.

 The numbers were heavily stacked against Chandler Seton Catholic last season.

Mark Carlino has heard all the water-cooler talk, whispers, rumors, bad-mouthing, one-liners and scolding. It’s no surprise given what’s transpired at Gilbert Highland in the past eight months.

The upward climb necessary to get Phoenix Mountain Pointe into the playoffs has been treacherous the past few years, and it’s not going to get easier.