2016 Del Sol Football Capsule

League: Class 3A Sunrise

Head coach: Gary Maki, fourth season (7-20)

2015 record: 1-8 (1-5 Sunrise League, sixth)

Returning lettermen: Nine

Returning starters: Three offense, three defense

Base offensive set: Double wing

Base defensive set: 3-5-3 Odd

Top offensive players: WR Jonathan Spearman (Sr.), RB Taariq Flowers (Jr.)

Top defensive players: CB Darrion Jones (Jr.), CB Jason Hoyer (Jr.), DB Barry Williams (Jr.)

Key losses: RB/CB Cordell Bowie, RB/DB Nate Bryan

Outlook: The key to Del Sol’s season is forgetting that last year happened. The Dragons will rely on a young core to try to get them into the playoffs. With Desert Pines and Sunrise Mountain — two of last season’s Sunrise Region playoff teams — moving tot he Sunset, a postseason berth is not out of the question if the Dragons stay healthy and focused.

Del Sol will have to lean heavily on some newcomers. Maaliq Flowers, a freshman, could be the quarterback for this year’s Dragons’ squad and the team will have to pluck more than a few players from last year’s freshman class.