2015 Desert Pines Football Capsule

League: Division I-A Sunrise

Head coach: Tico Rodriguez, third season (20-4)

2014 record: 11-2 (5-1 Sunrise, second)

Returning lettermen: 25

Returning starters: Seven offense, eight defense

Base offensive set: Spread

Base defensive set: 4-4

Top offensive players: QB Marckell Grayson (Jr.); RB Isaiah Morris (Jr.); RB Trevor Nofoa (Sr.)

Top defensive players: DE Anthony Smith (Sr.); LB Vasa Hansell (Sr.); DT Angel Torres (Sr.)

Top newcomers: FS/WR Randal Grimes (Jr.); RB Andrew Gray (Jr.); WR Amari Tatum (Sr.)

Key losses: Jon McCoy; Andre Watts

Outlook: The Jaguars were poised to win their first state title last season, before a fourth-quarter collapse against Moapa Valley in the state title game.

Desert Pines led 20-0 at the half and 36-14 after three quarters before the Pirates rallied to tie the game in the fourth quarter and eventually won 42-36 in overtime.

But there is plenty to build on for the Jaguars, starting with a high-powered offense.

Grayson and Morris had outstanding sophomore seasons, and should only get better with a year of varsity experience.

Grayson passed for 2,180 yards and 27 TDs with nine interceptions in earning second-team all-state honors. Morris rushed for 1,504 yards and 17 TDs, averaging 9.5 yards per carry.

The only question on offense comes at receiver, as the Jaguars lost their top two pass catchers in Watts (37 catches, 529 yards, 10 TDs) and McCoy (22 catches, 521 yards, 6 TDs).

At 6-5, Sierra Vista transfer Grimes should provide a long, athletic receiving threat when he lines up on offense.

Smith, a first-team all-state selection, returns to lead the defense after recording 16 sacks as a junior.

Hansell was the team’s leading tackler with 72 last season, and earned second-team all-state honors, and Torres gives the team another solid pass rusher after recording eight sacks last season.

Grimes picked off four passes and recorded 50 tackles for Sierra Vista last season, and should lead the secondary.

“(We look) to continue to build on last year’s success,” Rodriguez said.