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Football preview: Coronado embracing journey to rebuild

BY DREW SCHOTT Progress Contributor

This is part one of a two-part series previewing the upcoming high school football season in Scottsdale.

At the beginning of the 2020 season, Coronado High School’s football team rostered six players.

While that number eventually rose to 18, coach Jerry Black was well aware he was in the midst of a rebuild.

Ahead of his arrival in Scottsdale, the Dons were on a 14-game losing streak marked by an 0-10 season in 2019. To begin righting the direction of Coronado, Black went back to the basics.

His coaching staff taught players fundamentals such as lining up correctly ahead of a play and how to fair catch a kickoff or punt. He introduced each player to the competitiveness affiliated with football and how to balance the sport with academics.

While the Dons — composed entirely of first-year players — finished 0-5, they have flipped the script on the 2020 season.

“We taught them how everything’s a

Coronado head football coach Jerry Black has embraced the program’s aspirations to rebuild from the ground up and hopes to make headway in the 2021

season. (Pablo Robles/Progress Staff)

journey,” Black said. “You got to start and buy into what we’re trying to do here and these guys are excited.”

Just weeks away from the start of a new campaign, Coronado’s roster sits at roughly 30 players, many of whom are in their second year with the Dons. Throughout the summer, Black held organized events and camps for players to improve speed and conditioning and prepare their bodies

Coronado features players entirely new to the game. They’ve all accepted their inexperience as a challenge to better themselves both on and off the

field. (Pablo Robles/Progress Staff)

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Fall preview: Expectations high for Chaparral swim teams

BY DREW SCHOTT Progress Contributor

Expectations are high for the Swim teams at Chaparral High School.

Nearly all of its swimmers race in the “A” heat. There is a thread of teamwork throughout the Boys and Girls’ programs that enables swimmers to step up each season and work towards gaining important wins and points for Chaparral.

“No matter what happens, we are there to support each other,” senior Blakely Schuricht said. “We have that dominance where our team is so deep within these heats and everyone is cheering for everyone with the same amount of enthusiasm. When you’re behind the blocks and you hear that and you know your team is behind you, it almost pushes you even further to go faster.”

“I think that’s one of the major reasons why we’re so great.”

Last season, according to head coach Russell Krzyzanowski, was a difficult swimming season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. No spectators could be in the stands. Instead of four invitationals, Chaparral had one. The Firebirds had to run their own events in order to see how their swimmers were performing, but it paid off ahead of the Scottsdale Unified School District Invitational.

The Girls team won its seventh straight title behind the efforts of swimmers such as Schuricht, Morgan Brophy and Riley Courtney, who are headed to the University of Texas-Austin. Overall, five members of the program are headed to Division I opportunities next season.

Meanwhile, the Boys Squad won its second state title in three seasons. Krzyzanowski said that ahead of the upcoming season, Phoenix Brophy Prep lost a lot of seniors to graduation and Desert Vista High School is the Firebirds’ direct competition in terms of team depth. But at the moment, the team is the one to beat for Boys high school swimming in the East Valley.

“We all have very high expectations for ourselves and each other,” junior Kellan Pattison said. “When state comes, all we want to do is win and destroy everyone. That’s just how we do it at Chaparral.”

The person tasked with sustaining the success of the Firebirds’ athletes is Krzyzanowski, heading into his second season as head coach after spending six as an assistant. He shares a goal with his senior class each season: a fun, happy and enjoyable season that represents what Chapparal is all about.

For 2021, Krzyzanowski feels that his team is strong in all events. For both the Boys and Girls squads, he is looking for-

for football season.

Black also constructed a coaching staff familiar with the East Valley football landscape. Two of his coaches previously worked at Saguaro High School and Arizona College Prep Academy, respectively, and one played for the Sabercats.

This is all part of a process to turn losses into wins. For senior running back, wide receiver and outside linebacker Manuel Canarillo, he feels a responsibility to encourage and keep his teammates on the right path.

“We got talent,” Camarillo said. “I think everybody has high hopes for this year. My goal: encourage my teammates, make everyone better, be that leader and get us in games.”

But it isn’t just about success on the gridiron for Black. Part of the reason he took the Coronado head coaching job was to be a role model for his players, including the priority of being a student before an athlete.

According to senior right tackle and defensive end Aaron Cano, Black never misses a practice, demonstrating his dedication towards his players. Heading into his fourth season with the Dons, Cano has seen a transformation from a program plagued by winless seasons to one with playoff hopes.

That belief can be attributed to Black.

Cano, who has witnessed the work ethic of his teammates in past seasons, is looking forward to the privilege of leading his teammates into clashes on the gridiron. Adding a coach who sees “potential in this team” and has nearly doubled the roster from 2020 adds pride to Cano donning the Coronado jersey.

“It makes me quite happy,” Cano said. “Just seeing all these players grow, half of these are freshmen, and they still got a lot to learn. Slowly but surely, they’ll learn. We’ll teach. I can’t wait to see the future of this program.”

During the pandemic, Black was not allowed to recruit the student body to join the team. Those who played dealt with restrictions such as wearing a mask and symptom checks. 2021 will be different. An example is that fans will likely be in the stands this year, something that Black says “is really big for the students.”

But the differences are already showing on the gridiron. A larger roster, a dedicated coaching staff and a planned-out vision has Coronado on the right path towards future success.

“With these kids,” Black said, “it’s been about how to build a program.”

Coronado kicks off the 2021 season on Friday, Aug. 27 against Coolidge.

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ward to working towards continuing their streak of postseason success.

“There’s nothing better than jumping in the pool with the boys and girls to celebrate,” Krzyzanowski said.

Schuricht, who was part of a team that broke the state record for the 200-medley relay as a sophomore, is chasing more state and team records in her final season in Scottsdale. A team captain who swims the breaststroke and freestyle, she is committed to swim at Texas A&M University.

For Pattison — a freestyle and backstroke swimmer — he is eyeing dual meets against Desert Vista and Brophy Prep on Sept. 9 and Sept. 14, respectively.

There are times where Chaparral has been ranked as one of the top swimming programs in the country. With the state meet returning after a cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Firebirds are ready to bring more hardware back to Scottsdale, while also building a teamwide bond in the process.

“This team has just always been so safe for everybody,” Krzyzanowski said. “It’s literally like a home and family.”

Scottsdale high school programs ready for 2021 campaign

Saguaro

After finishing with an above-.500 record and earning the No. 14 seed, Saguaro’s badminton squad took a step back in 2020. The Sabercats finished 0-11 and were swept 9-0 in six of their matches. To bounce back, Saguaro will look to seniors Jaya Huma and Aly Pickett to lead the way. The two were the Sabercats’ top singles players last year and are their No. 1 doubles tandem.

Desert Mountain

The cross country program at Desert Mountain finished 2020 with a successful showing at the AIA Cross Country Championships. The Girls squad placed fourth overall and included top-20 finishes from Kaylin Lacher (19:27.2) and Haley Wilkinson (19:39.3). Meanwhile, the Boys team placed sixth overall with an 18th place finish from Logan Kerr (16:31.0). Coach Kevin Kemmerle has built a strong foundation throughout his tenure in Scottsdale that should continue into 2021.

Scottsdale football programs ready for 2021 campaign

Desert Mountain

The Wolves went 4-3 in 2020, finishing 3-1 in its 5A Division. Quarterback Aidan Cerullo has graduated, opening the door for Pierce Nielsen to take over as the starter. Desert Mountain’s leading rusher Zack Kilburg returns after running for 624 yards and four touchdowns. Four of its top receivers have graduated, raising the importance of Kilburg’s performance.

On defense, Kilburg (33 tackles), who also plays strong safety, returns, as well as defensive end Porter Sweet, who racked up six-and-a-half tackles for loss.

Scottsdale Christian

After a 7-1 campaign in 2020, Scottsdale Christian is looking to return to its winning ways. Carson Mousel, who threw five passes last season, will likely succeed Ben Tobin and attempt to lead the Eagles past op-

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ponents such as San Tan Charter and Pima. Mousel will have two of the team’s top targets from last season, Coby Tabet (215 yards and one touchdown) and Boden Davidson (119 yards and two touchdowns), in his aerial attack.

Sophomore Grant Montgomery, who racked up 27 tackles last year, returns as well as sophomore defensive back Carlin Buskirk, who averaged one interception per game. Three players who notched at least one sack in 2020 will suit up for Scottsdale Christian this season.

Scottsdale Prep

The Spartans found success in 2A play last season, racking up six wins and an undefeated record at home. This effort was aided by junior running back Carson Boyll, who rushed for 488 yards and six scores, and wide receiver Devon Strader — who caught 24 passes for 449 yards and eight touchdowns. Both return and will likely be the focal points of Scottsdale Prep’s offense.

On defense, the team’s top tacklers from last season in Connor Hesse and Devon Strader will lead the charge in 2021 after combining for 83 tackles. Opponents such as Coronado will have to for Boyll, who intercepted three passes in 2020.

Notre Dame

Last season, Notre Dame Preparatory School flourished at the AIA Division III State Championships. While seniors on the Boys side led the squad to a sixth-place finish and wins in races such as 100-meter butterfly, the Girls team finished fourth behind the efforts of juniors such as Elle Aister and Camille Devine. Returning for 2021, the swimmers, as well as Lillian Mueller and Samanthan Kuczaj will bring veteran experience to races such as the freestyle. Additionally, sophomore Grace Vecchi is a name to watch; she finished fourth in the 100-meter backstroke during the state championships.

Horizon

The Huskies’ Women’s Golf team hit the links for various victories last year against schools such as Saguaro and Desert Mountain. Makenna Cabardo medaled in six events and Horizon earned fifth place in the state tournament. The program also boasted one of the top badminton programs in the East Valley last year, earning the No. 5 seed and a 9-3 record. Kira and Kaitlyn Klann return to the team as seniors along with sophomore Karly Smith.

Coronado

The Dons’ volleyball program struggled in 2020, winning just two games — both against Cortez — and finishing with a final ranking of No. 42. Yet the team returns a majority of its roster for 2021 to continue building towards a .500 season. Meanwhile, Coronado’s Boys and Girls’ Swim teams participated in five meets each as coach Justin Slover continues developing both programs.

Scottsdale Christian

In the 2A Metro Division, the Eagles dominated their competition on the volleyball court. Scottsdale Christian went 4-0 in its region and finished with an 11-3 overall record. The Eagles are coming off a championship victory behind the performances of players such as setter Lexi Lambert and libero Marley Dickerson. Both players return for the 2021 season, as well as three others.