Estrella Foothills High School has been working toward the goal of the 4A state championship since the season ended last year 8-4.
Estrella Foothills senior quarterback Mickey Raftery said rather than focusing on the big picture, the team is preparing one game at a time to be ready to line up against whomever the opponent.
Tonight the team will host La Joya Community in the first game of the season.
Head Coach Michael Spencer said this year the players seemed pretty determined to improve from last year. The team pulled off a playoff win on the road, coming from behind in the fourth quarter.
“We had some good gains in the weight room this offseason. Lots of players showed up for organized team activities (OTA’s), which is really encouraging,” he said.
Spencer said adjustments have been made to the offense to utilize Raftery’s strengths as quarterback and is confident he knows the offense inside and out and will be able to manage it well.
Building physical strength and culture were a big focus according to Raftery, and he said players are ready for the big roles.
“It takes more than one to person to lead this team, and we have guys who have stepped up like junior linebacker Rudy Martinez,” said Raftery.
Spencer said Martinez has shown tremendous leadership this offseason and will lead the defense.
Senior Shawn Ellison returns and will be more of a wide receiver this year, according to Spencer.
“He is a versatile athlete who we like to use in various ways,” he said.
Junior Alius Fernandez and sophomore Jett Gastineau will also get carries at running back.
Spencer will look to seniors Seamus Pezzelle and Marshall Luedemann who will anchor the offensive line and will get some significant snaps on defense this year.
“Junior Matthew Perry should have an impactful year at defensive end. Juniors Nolan Roth and Wyatt O’dell are young defensive backs that will solidify the back end of the defense,” said Spencer.
The group likes each other and bonds off the football field, according to Spencer. He said each player wants to improve individually as well and do a great job of studying to learn the system.
Raftery said being a student of the game is important because there is no perfect game, but good players pour into film and pull themselves back up for the next opponent. Having a memory of a goldfish when something goes wrong will benefit his team to bounce back and Raftery said they can just play football.
Senior Josh Udall said stepping up and doing his job will make a difference and he is ready to compete.
“Obviously we are not happy with how it ended last year, but this year I think we are looking to do better in our own conference and win our rival games,” he said.
In his fourth year, Udall has made it a personal goal to not allow anyone to get to him on the field. He wants to stay locked in and do the best he can for his team.
Udall said being one as a team is one of the most important things and his coaches are always talking to the group about doing the right things.
As the group gets ready to play under the lights, Udall said this year is special.
“The whole school rallies behind you and we practice and prepare for so long, and it all goes into one day to let it all out,” he said.
Reporter Jennifer Jimenez can be reached at jjimenez@iniusa.org. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
In 2020, Jennifer Jimenez began working for Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA. She began her career as a sports reporter in Peoria and Glendale, covering the very same schools she used to compete at. During this time, she also worked for television news, magazines and sports radio stations.
Community: Jennifer is a member of the Hall of Fame at Peoria High School where she graduated in 2001, alongside her father Joe Hernandez. She serves youth soccer players as a pro-trainer and coach.
Education: Grand Canyon University 2005 B.A. Liberal Arts
Ranom Fact: She has a street named after her in south Peoria “Jennifer Rose Court.”
Hobbies: Country dancing, coaching soccer, teaching private swim lessons and running are things she does for fun.
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