2013 Arbor View Football Capsule
Head coach: Dan Barnson, seventh season (43-21)
2012 record: 10-1 (5-0 Northwest, first)
Returning lettermen: 22
Returning starters: Four offense, five defense
Base offensive set: Double wing
Base defensive set: 4-2-5
Top offensive players: OT Malik Noshi (Jr.); RB Anthony Smith (Sr.); RB Jacob Speaks (Sr.); RB Herman Gray (Jr.)
Top defensive players: LB Anthony Smith (Sr.); DB Salah Boyce (Sr.); DB Jacob Speaks (Sr.); LB Lonnie Sharp (Sr.)
Top special teams players: KR Salah Boyce (Sr.); K Zach Boyd (Sr.)
Top newcomers: QB Andrew Cornwell (Sr.)
Key losses: OL/DL Elijah George, OL/DL Thomas Newton, TE/DE Rasheed Parks, LB/OL Beau Dixon
Outlook: The Aggies captured their first league crown last season, going undefeated in the Northwest League before falling 14-9 to Centennial in the Sunset Region semifinals.
Though graduation took its toll, expect Arbor View to be back in the mix for the league title.
The team lost its quarterback, Rasheem Parks, to graduation, but passing is always secondary in the double wing, and there are plenty of talented backs to carry the load.
Smith was the team’s top rusher last season with 735 yards and eight TDs, and is back to again lead a strong group. He should get help from Speaks (577 yards, 6 TDs) and Grey (364 yards, 5 TDs).
If needed, Boyce also can carry the ball, after gaining 442 yards and scoring five TDs last season. All four of those backs averaged at least 7.4 yards per carry.
The offensive line is a bigger question mark, with anchors George and Newton having graduated. George was dominant enough to be named the Northwest’s co-Most Valuable Player on offense. He’s at Oregon, and Newton is on the roster at UNR.
The defense also will have to plug holes with the top three tacklers graduating, including Northwest Defensive MVP Dixon (110 tackles). The Aggies graduated seven all-league defenders, and another transferred.
Smith (48 tackles) is the top returning tackler, and should help lead the defense.
