Sifting Through Sollenberger’s Treasure Trove berger also used his preseason magazine as a vehicle to de- liver Arizona’s high school sports history. Since relaunching Sollenberger’s magazine in 2014, we’ve added a story written by Sollenberger in every edition, contin- uing his tradition of keeping Arizona’s high school sports his- tory — and Sollenberger’s memory— alive. In this year’s issue, we have a story by Sollenberger on a 1960s Arizona 6- man two-time champ. We want to thank all of the coaches who answered our calls and countless emails to help produce the magazine. The football players were the beneficiaries. Just like Sollen- berger wanted. Barry Sollenberger Jose Garcia By Jose Garcia azpreps365.com Arizona Interscholastic Association tournament director David Shapiro, azpreps365.com’s sports information director Seth Polansky and I went hunting a couple of months ago. The location was a Phoenix warehouse, where we scav- enged for Arizona high school sports history items. Barry Sol- lenberger left behind a treasure trove of objects, which Dave Kukulski, Sollenberger’s publishing partner and friend, and Kukulski’s family stored at their warehouse. The Sollenberger’s AZ Football Prep Magazine is named after Sollenberger, the late Arizona high school sports histo- rian of the AIA. Sollenberger and the Kukulskis published their first preseason Arizona high school football magazine in 1970. The Kukulski’s allowed the AIA to move Sollenberger’s boxes and file cabinets to its Phoenix office, shrinking Polan- sky’s office space. He is archiving Sollenberger’s finds. Among Sollenberger’s items were several photos, some of which you'll find in this magazine, including an image of Randall McDaniel playing at Agua Fria High School. McDaniel is the first Arizona prep foot- ball player to reach the NFL’s Hall of Fame. Besides adding the names of as many football players as possible, Sollen- The 2018 Sollenberger’s AZ Football Prep Magazine is designed and published by Kukulski Publishing. Special thanks to Seth Polansky, Andy Kukulski, Matt Kukulski and Pam Kukulski for their efforts with this publication. The staff writers are Andy Morales, Les Willsey and Jose Garcia of azpreps365.com. Sollenberger cover design by Daniel Navarrette. Cover photo credits: Jacob Conover/Mark Jones (maxpreps.com); Jake Smith/Mark Jones (maxpreps.com); Kelee Ringo/Katy Ruben (Saguaro); Chandler Miles/Dave Jefferies (Benjamin Franklin); Cole Motes/Darin Sicurello (maxpreps.com); Steven Ybarra/Paul Campbell (maxpreps.com). page 3 Analyzing the New Realignment of Conferences, Regions By Les Willsey azpreps365.com With the 2018 football season dawning, let’s peruse what realignment has done to conferences since last our schools convened. On paper, competition in some is ratcheted up. In others, there is at least balance with the subtraction of a few schools here or there. What remains is trying to upend the dominance of Chan- dler, Centennial and Saguaro in 6A through 4A, respectively. And remember the only criteria placing schools in this realign- ment is enrollment. A few years back, several other factors (free and reduced lunch, participation, competitive history) were used. While it helped in some cases, the overall result was mixed. Casteel, the 2017 champ at the 3A level, is moving up two con- The conference most buoyed by realignment for is 5A. The ferences in 2018 (photo by Kevin French of maxpreps.com). addition of Higley, Sunrise Mountain and Casteel adds oppo- sition for 5A power Centennial. Raymond S. Kellis to contend with in the Northwest Region. Centennial has ruled 5A and its equivalent (D-II and 5A-II) The Northeast Valley houses Desert Mountain and Horizon, in the current decade. The Coyotes possess three champi- anxious to flex their muscles in their new digs with Notre onships and three runner-up finishes the last past eight years. Dame Prep, Cactus Shadows, McClintock, Paradise Valley The likes of Williams Field and Cienega have been players and North Canyon. for the top spot consistently in the conference. Higley and 6A's makeover isn't overwhelmed with new members, but Sunrise Mountain enter from 4A, where they've been semifi- those who are up are solid. Chaparral, Queen Creek and Lib- nalists and only unable, for the most part, to upend Saguaro. erty, as noted, add to a long list of folks trying to topple Chan- Casteel makes a bigger jump - 3A to 5A. The Colts were 3A dler. champs, a perfect 14-0, and return all starters and the Unless Basha and Brophy Prep rebound significantly this school's first senior class. year, the Central Region may be the most balanced and com- Peeking at 5A's region alignments, the San Tan is the eye- petitive top to bottom (Mountain Pointe, Desert Ridge, High- catcher. Members Williams Field, Higley, Casteel, Campo land, Desert Vista, Queen Creek and Corona del Sol). Verde, Gilbert and Maricopa easily comprise the toughest col- Had it not been for 6A requiring all region champs qualify lection of schools. for postseason regardless of their spot in the power rankings, All except Gilbert reached postseason last year. Campo Gilbert and Desert Vista would have qualified for postseason. Verde coach Max Ragsdale is bracing for the San Tan chal- Desert Vista was No. 15 and Gilbert No. 16. lenges. They were bumped by Westview and Cibola, who were "I do think competition is increased and it wasn't easy be- ranked in the 20's. That would have meant five of six teams in fore," Ragsdale said. "We were a 14-seed last year and the region would have made the playoffs. played Liberty (No. 3) tough. The quality of coaches is high. Pinnacle, Chaparral and Liberty are a nice trio heading up And we have two state champions in our conference with the Desert Valley with Boulder Creek, Sandra Day O'Connor Centennial and Casteel. Top to bottom the competition in 5A and Mountain Ridge playing catch up. 4A received an infusion is as good as you'll see." from the 5A ranks - Arcadia, Deer Valley, Desert Edge, Lake Other notable additions to 5A from 6A are Desert Mountain Havasu, Mesquite, Poston Butte, Sahuaro and Vista Grande. (6-5), Horizon (7-4), Gilbert (4-6) and Millennium (4-6). Desert None appears strong enough to take Higley or Sunrise Mountain and Horizon made the playoffs in 6A in 2017. Mountain's place in trying to overtake invincible Saguaro. Rising from 4A is Cactus Shadows, which was 7-5 and a Deer Valley and Desert Edge are the best of the 4A newcom- postseason quarterfinalist. Also moving up a pair of confer- ers. 3A brings in one 4A school - Coronado. ences to 5A is Empire, which was 6-5 last year and reached Moving up from 2A are San Tan Foothills, Arizona College postseason. Prep, Gilbert Christian, Paradise Honors, Bourgade Catholic 5A did lose Queen Creek, Liberty and Chaparral, used to and Kingman Academy. Three of those seven (San Tan making playoff runs, to 6A. Depth and competitive regions ap- Foothills, Kingman Academy and Gilbert Christian) posted pear to be a staple for the next two years. winning records last year and made the playoffs. Centennial may be pushed with Sunrise Mountain and Each was eliminated in the first round. With perhaps an ex- page 4 ception or two, don't expect the usual 3A powers to be af- Casteel (2), Gilbert, Higley, Maricopa, Williams Field. fected by the newcomers. Northwest Region: Apollo, Centennial, Ironwood, Raymond 2A has a handful of schools new to it, either dropping from Kellis, Sunnyslope, Sunrise Mountain. Desert West Region: 3A or rising from 1A. They are Greyhills Academy, Santa Rita, Agua Fria, Barry Goldwater, Independence, Millennium, Trivium Prep, Valley Lutheran, Globe. Verrado, Willow Canyon. The blood-bath region is likely the Black Region. It's five members are Round Valley, Thatcher, St. Johns, Pima and 4A ... Desert Sky Region: Arcadia, Marcos de Niza, Morenci. All made the playoffs last year with .500 or better Mesquite, Poston Butte, Saguaro, Seton Catholic. West records. Thatcher won the conference crown and Round Val- Valley Region: Cactus, Deer Valley, Desert Edge, Lake ley was edged in the semis by runner-up Santa Cruz Valley. Havasu, Peoria. Southwest Region: Buckeye, Estrella Another region top-heavy in playoff participants last year is Foothills, Gila Ridge, Youngker, Yuma. Skyline Region: the Agua Fria. Santa Cruz Valley, Phoenix Christian, Scotts- Greenway, Moon Valley, Shadow Mountain, St. Mary's, dale Christian and Arizona Lutheran are a solid four in the six- Tempe, Thunderbird. Grand Canyon Region: Bradshaw team league. Mountain, Coconino, Flagstaff, Lee Williams, Mingus, Three of them (PC, SCA and Santa Cruz) reached the Mohave, Prescott. Black Canyon Region: Apache Junction, quarters last year. 1A underwent little if any change. Combs, Cortez, Dysart, Glendale, Washington. Gila Region: Two of the top teams reside in the North Region -- defend- Amphitheater, Douglas, Palo Verde, Pueblo, Rio Rico, ing champ Williams and Mogollon. The East has three quar- Walden Grove. Kino Region: Canyon del Oro, Casa Grande, terfinalist from last season in runner-up Superior, Ray and Catalina Foothills, Sahuaro, Salpointe Catholic, Vista Grande. Hayden. Bagdad is likely to continue ruling the West Region. Be- 3A ... North Region: Chinle, Ganado, Monument Valley, sides the new alignment, fans should keep in mind changes in Page, Tuba City, Window Rock. South Region: Catalina, 6A and 5A to the composition of their 16 playoff teams. Pusch Ridge, Sabino, Safford, Sahuarita, Tanque Verde. East Both conferences decided not to give automatic berths to Region: Blue Ridge, Holbrook, Payson, Show Low, region champs, meaning the top 16, according to the power Snowflake, Winslow. West Region: Chino Valley, Kingman, rankings, qualify.