By Brittany Bowyer
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SCOTTSDALE — Expectations are high for the Notre Dame Prep Saints as they prepare for their 10th season under Head Coach George Prelock. Since taking over the program, the Saints have made the playoffs every year, and this year they expect no different.

“The biggest thing for me is just to compete at a high level,” Prelock said.

“Excellence is, for sure, just a standard,” senior cornerback Matthew Higby said. “Playoffs are definitely a standard every single year and we’re not looking for anything short of that. We’re looking to make it to the state championship and hopefully winning.”

Offensively, the Saints return some of their top talent this season. The head coach noted they have a strong group of receivers returning this year, led by senior WR Jace Wright, and a solid running back in Decker Haskins-Smith. Most importantly, Prelock mentioned they’ll have an experienced offensive line.

“We’re going to have two seniors who have been starting since their sophomore year, and then two other seniors that have kind of paid their dues and are ready to fill in some spots and really perform at a high level,” Prelock said.

Prelock also said they’d have a healthy quarterback room to start the year, which took quite the hit last season.

Prelock knows the importance of keeping players healthy, and noted how it’s crucial for the Saints to have success when they are outsized by most of the schools they play. He mentioned they’ll make sure all their players are getting proper treatment and are taking care of their bodies throughout the season, and noted the team has two great trainers who work with them daily.

The defense also returns a number of outstanding playmakers who Prelock described as “opportunistic” last year, who created turnovers and scored a number of points for the team.

“My defensive coordinator, Nick Smith, he does a great job,” Prelock said. “He puts a lot of pressure on the offense, which allows our defense to be opportunistic. That kind of style of play, with the amount of seniors that we have especially, I think we’re going to be extremely talented in the secondary. Hopefully we’ll be able to create some opportunities.”

Higby echoed Prelock about the talented secondary and also noted the strength of this year’s defensive line.

“Personally, I think you can expect a big year,” Higby said. “I just really think our defense is really good. Not only our secondary, but our D-line. We’ll be able to put pressure on QBs ... I really do think you can expect a lot of turnovers, a lot of interceptions and I think this year is going to be a great year for our defense.”

The Saints have a lot of youth on their team with the opportunity to not only contribute, but start and blossom into their full potential. Some of those players include sophomores Brooks Smith and Brody Powers.

“I’m really excited to see what those kids can do and how they’re going to contribute,” Prelock said.

The Saints got one transfer into the program in the offseason. Junior Asher Hesse, an offensive and defensive lineman, came over to Notre Dame Prep from Scottsdale Prep.

When asked about a player who has the potential to have a breakout year, Prelock immediately mentioned Ryder Ashcroft.

“Ashcroft has done a great job in the offseason, and we’re looking for him to make a big impact,” Prelock said. “He’s 6-3, 180-pounds. He’s got great ball skills. Good hands, and a really good route runner.”

He also mentioned a freshman who will be playing on varsity this season as a player to keep your eyes on. Octavion Moody, the brother of senior offensive lineman Quinton Moody, should have an immediate impact starting at offensive line. At 6-7 and 300 pounds as a freshman, he brings a lot of beef to the front five for the next four years.

“He does not look like a freshman,” Prelock said. “I’ll be interested to see what he does this year.”

Higby and Haskins-Smith both believe senior LB Andrew Stayer could have an explosive year, noting he was injured for part of last season.

Prelock said he currently isn’t sure what his team’s identity will be, but spoke on what he hopes to see from his squad throughout the year.

“I want it to be a team that controls the ball, doesn’t turn the ball over, and is opportunistic on defense,” Prelock said. “It’s the attention to detail. It’s the little things that matter in the end, which allow those big plays to happen.”

Notre Dame Prep has a grueling schedule this year, and Prelock said the main focus for them is going to be just taking it one week at a time and paying attention to the task at hand. Prelock said his players know they have a challenging schedule ahead. Their region, the 5A Northeast Valley, is arguably the toughest region to play in across the conference, and their non-region games aren’t easy, either.

“Our schedule is extrememly difficult,” Prelock said. “Last year, out of the 10 teams we played, nine made the playoffs. I’m pretty sure this year, all 10 are gonna make it.”

Prelock said his team understands the challenge standing before them and says they embrace it and want to compete.

Notre Dame Prep starts off the season at Yuma Catholic on the road, and Prelock said he’s looking forward to their first test.

“It’s a long bus ride, and it’s another Catholic school,” Prelock said. “We were lucky enough to beat them last year 28-14 at home, so I’m sure they’re going to be licking their chops and want to kind of get revenge on us.”

The players said they have a couple of games circled on their calendars.

“One game I’m very focused on this year is Desert Edge,” Haskins-Smith said. “I think they’re a very powerful team with a lot of Division One recruits. A lot of people going to big, powerful colleges, and I think that when we take them down, it’s going to be a very big win.”

“I would definitely say Horizon is one of those games,” Higby said. “Horizon knocked us out of the playoffs last year so we’re looking to get revenge. Last year we beat them once and lost to them once, so we’re definitely looking forward to that game. And I can definitely say another big game is Cactus Shadows. Cactus Shadows is one of those teams we’ve always just kind of had a rivalry with ... We’re looking forward to playing them, especially because it’s going to be our Homecoming game, so we’re really looking forward to that one.”

Higby says the most important thing going into the season is the team’s chemistry, which he notes is much closer-knit and stronger than in the past.

“I really think that everyone is locked in and has bought in, and I think week to week won’t be very tough because we have a team that just wants to play and be there, and we do truly want to win the state championship this year,” Higby said.

Haskins-Smith echoed Higby, stating the shortcomings of the past have motivated them.

“I think we’re all very hungry,” Haskins-Smith said. “I’m very excited to see the production we have this year.”

Brittany Bowyer is a Report for America corps member, covering sports for Independent Newsmedia in Arizona. Report for America places talented journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and regions.