NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN CRUSADERS

2017 RECORD: 9-3 (3A quarterfinals)

REGION: 3A West

COACH: Dave Inness (9th year)

OFFENSE: Spread

DEFENSE: Multiple

KEY RETURNEES: Johnathan Metzger, Jr. QB; Aren Wan Hofwegen, Sr. RB/DB; Derek Henderson, Sr. DT/OG; Donato Zavala, Sr. DT; Levi Bourland, Sr. LB; Thomas Poe, Sr. CB/WR; Dusty Inness, Sr. SS/WR.

NEWCOMERS TO WATCH: Cameron Sterner, Soph. OT; Cameron Adams, Jr. CB

2018 SCHEDULE

Home games in caps

Aug. 17 at Fountain Hills

Aug. 25 YUMA CATHOLIC

Sept.  7 at Benjamin Franklin

Sept.14 ALA-GILBERT

Sept. 21 at Valley Christian

Sept. 28 WICKENBURG

Oct.  5   RIVER VALLEY

Oct. 12  at Kingman

Oct. 19  KINGMAN ACADEMY

Oct. 26  at Chino Valley

Richard Smith

West Valley Preps

With 15 starters and 22 seniors returning to the fold from a 3A quarterfinalist - and two of three powerhouses from 2017 out of the running - Northwest Christian has reason to see itself as a title contender.

The Crusaders will not have long to find out. They should have a good idea of where they stand by Sept. 8.

Northwest Christian starts by traveling to improved Fountain Hills Friday night. Rival Yuma Catholic is in the title conversation following coach Rhett Stallworth's return and the Shamrocks visit on a Saturday - Aug. 25.

Following a bye, the Crusaders head to Queen Creek to face Benjamin Franklin. The Chargers return the most of any 2017 3A semifinalist, starting with junior Zach Jeffries and senior Chandler Miles - both of whom rushed for more than 1,500 yards last year.

"Dave (Jeffries at Ben Franklin) runs a great scheme. It'll be fun to play them. They're good guys," Northwest Christian coach Dave Inness said. "We also play ALA-Gilbert which is great because you've got to play a tough non-league (schedule). Our league is good but you've got to find ways to get power points by playing some of the better teams."

ALA-Gilbert visits Sept. 14 and could be another top 10 team, coached by longtime Show Low boss Randy Ricedorff. The Eagles went undefeated last year to win the Canyon Athletic Association title.

Those may be the Crusaders' four toughest games, with the possible exception of West Region rival Wickenburg.

Northwest Christian's fourth team at the 3A level evokes memories of the first, In 2015, the senior-laden Crusaders reached the state finals, falling 13-10 to Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian.

"It reminds us at times of 2015. We've got good depth. We've got seven kids that could start in the secondary and that's unusual at a school like this. We've got tons of receivers and 12 offensive linemen," Inness said.

Like that team, a senior coach's son is one of the leaders. Drew quarterbacked the 2015 teams.

Now Dusty Inness organizes the defense from strong safety. He also plays wingback and handles the long snapping.

"I never coached Drew. I'm on Dusty, but he's fun to coach. He's a real student of the game and will tell me what he thinks will work (on defense). On offense, he knows every position," coach Inness said.

Not only do Dusty Inness and his classmates know the schemes on both sides of the ball, they know each other very well.

"Basically, all of the seniors have been playing with each other since eighth grade," Dusty Inness said.

The marquee position will not be led by a senior, but returning quarterback Johnathan Metzger is not a complete shoo-in to start this season, after seizing the job by the fifth game last year.

Metzger finished with 1,319 yards and 18 passing touchdowns. The competition at signal caller, however, has more to do with the rapid improvement of fellow junior Easton Meier.

"Metzger is really improved. But (Easton) Meier is really good too. Easton is more of a running threat. He moved her about a year and a half ago and is probably the hardest working kid in our program," coach Inness said.

Meier also can play cornerback and receiver.

Senior tailback Aren van Hofween is the top returning rusher and ready for an expanded role. Fellow senior Thomas Poe will still see some carries, but was moved to receiver this offseason.

Junior tailback Corbin Hulbert, coach Inness said, is a smaller, shifty back that can disappear in the pile.

Dusty Inness said senior Jorden Ehlers improved enough to lock down a starting receiver role.

Senior guard/defensive tackle Derek Henderson is the backbone of both lines and weighs more than 250 pounds now. 6-3 senior tackle Matt Cadriel anchors one side of the line while 6-5 sophomore Cameron Sterner improved enough to lock down the other role.

The experience accelerated offensive game plan sessions this offseason.

"In the first day of camp, we were already running though 10 plays. It's been a lot easier to grow together and get farther into the offense," Van Hofwegen said.

The Crusaders switch between a base 3-4 defense and a 4-3 look. Henderson is a catalyst on the line and is joined by 6-6 340-pound tackle, who can "can move for his weight," Inness said.

Linebacker is loaded, starting with senior Levi Bourland, and twins josh and Zach Heidel twins.

The secondary boasts even more experience, with Inness, Van Hofwegen and Poe coming back.

Junior Cameron Adams will start at one cornerback spot Friday after beating out a couple veterans for the role. Senior corner John Zha also has impressed.

Other than the teams on the Crusaders' schedule, two clusters will have a major say on a new look 3A. Defending champion Casteel is up to 5A after catching a break in the last block, and 2016 champ and 2017 semifinalist ALA-Queen Creek is on probation.

The three White Mountain schools - Blue Ridge, Show Low and Snowflake - should play large roles after a lean year. And a new-look Pusch Ridge and more experienced Tucson Sabino bring the Old Pueblo into the fray.

"Sabino's loaded. Pusch Ridge lost bunch of guys but they're going to be fine. They'll be in the hunt and a playoff team. Sabino's more seasoned this year," Inness said.

With balance, experience and unity, the Crusaders are prepared to get back into the trophy picture.

"This year's team is so tightly bonded. We bring each other up and know how to work together," Henderson said.

Northwest Christian's Zach Johnson (#85), Dusty Inness (#4) and Spencer Valerus (#56) celebrate Johnson's second half touchdown catch. [Ralph Freso/For West Valley Preps][/caption]