Page 58 August 2011 A RC A DI A SPORTS PAGE TOO A RC A DI A SPORTS PAGE TOO Swimmers coming off great year Football Continued from page 56 Reynolds came up for the last few games of the season last year and showed off by making a few impressive catches, including a diving 22-yard touchdown grab against Tempe. Seniors Cody Neal-Purkiss and Ryan Bollinger will back up Reynolds at the position. Both players showed off improved skills during the summer, and the coaches think they are ready to put it all together. “These guys are fi nally playing the way I know they can,” said Ellison. While some other positions are less than stable, senior Sosaia Maafu had fullback all locked up the moment he stepped on the fi eld. “He [Maafu] is fl ying under the radar, but I really think he is the best fullback in the state,” said Ellison. Maafu, who ran for 648 yards last year with a 5.8 yard per carry average, looks to be on track for a breakout season. The big back hit the weight room this summer to bulk up an already strong frame and is poised to take advantage of the Wing-T offense that exploits the talents of a strong fullback. “I think he will have an unbelievable year,” said Ellison. The rest of the team’s back fi eld is also shaping up nicely. Flanking Maafu at the halfback slots will be seniors Ryan Fochtman and Vince Roscoe. Both players spent a lot of time at the position last year, so they know what it takes to succeed. “We’re bringing back pretty much all of our starting back fi eld,” said Ellison. Fochtman was off to a solid start last season before his year ended early due to injury. The team is less set at offensive line, where the coaches are still looking to solidify a few positions. Although Maafu excels in run and pass blocking, Richardson and crew still need a solid line in front of them if they hope to succeed. “We have every skill position down, but it matters what kind of line we put in front By Elias Tolano Coming off strong fi nishes at the state Swim and Dive Championships last year, the Arcadia Titans boys and girls squads are looking to improve on their success this upcoming season. Both Arcadia teams fi nished in second place at the Division II state championships last November, falling short to Catalina Foothills of Tucson. This year on the boys’ side, Arcadia is without its state champion in the 100-meter butter fl y, Chris Pickard, who is swimming for Stanford University this fall. The Titans are returning a pair of strong seniors, however, with Nathan Anderson in the 100- fl y and Ben Gustafson, a jack-of- all-trades swimmer who will compete in multiple events. Junior Hayden Sells, Arcadia’s state diving champ last year, is also looking to have a strong season. For the girls, long-distance swimmer Carly Stevens will look to defend her state title in the 500 free. Her winning time in the event last November was 4:58.48, which was the only time under fi ve minutes. Sisters Sydelle and Emily Harrison will also look to shine this season in the 100-breaststroke and Individual Medley. Preseason swim for the teams will be August 2-4 at Eldorado Aquatic and Fitness Center. Dive will begin Aug. 8. The Titans’ fi rst meet will be Sept. 1 against North Canyon at Paradise Valley Pool. The teams will be coached by Erica McClurg, a triathlon competitor who is entering her 16th season with Arcadia. of them,” Ellison said. Helping the line out will be junior tight ends Trent Wilson and Will Allen. Both players are vying for the starting spot left vacant by last year’s outstanding tight end Jared Thorn. Both players performed well during the summer and give the staff a few more tools to work with in blocking schemes and the passing game. If the offense can gel, Ellison is con fi dent that the defense will keep the team in the game. The Titans are returning several starters from last year’s squad and will count on some former backups to step into starting roles. Senior linebackers Andrew Bradway and Alex Bolton will anchor the team from the middle of the fi eld, and the coaching staff hopes one of last year’s backups can fi ll in where graduated starter Landon Berry left off. Seniors Eric Del fi nado, Dylan Salaam and Chris Coffman are all in the running for the position. The Titans are also getting defensive end Jack Olson back from hand surgery. Olson, who is getting D-I looks, will work to close down the ends with fellow returning starter Drake Bennetch, said Ellison. The team is still on the lookout for a big defensive tackle to work between the two returning seniors. Another D-I prospect, cornerback Josh Anderson, will attempt to shut down opposing receivers. Anderson played opposite last year’s starter, Kyle York, and looks poised to make the job his own. “He has matured both physically and mentally,” Ellison said. “Teams haven’t been able to throw to his side during passing league.” With the slew of old and new faces marking the roster, the Titans are eager to jump in to the new Division III and face new rivals, said Ellison. The highlights of this season’s schedule include games against the 4A-II state champion Thunderbird Chiefs, the always-strong Saguaro Sabercats and the Washington Rams. “We know the other teams on the schedule, but these guys are all very good teams that we haven’t seen before.” Arcadia Little League’s 10-11 All Star team (right) won the District 6 championship, winning twice on the fi nal night against McCormick Ranch. Arcadia had lost to McCormick Ranch, last year’s champions, earlier in the tournament. The win earned the team a trip to Yuma for the state tournament. The team roster included Ryan Cowdrey, Kyle Durschlag, Justin Jarvis, Carter Koziol, Max Massingale, Greg Nevins, Max Reidy, Abe Speck, Jack Spier, Kyle Spier, Clayton Wasson and Zach Wilson. The manager was Jeff Wasson. Coaches were Tim Cowdrey and Rod Jarvis. The Arcadia Little League Junior All-Star team (above) reached the fi nals of the District 6 tournament, winning three times, twice by one run, before losing to North Scottsdale. The roster included Brandon Rosvall, Lucas Ellett, Max Bradley, Ray Shepherd, Graham Byron, Cameron Jarvis, Cole Wiegand, Stephen Casillas, Shawn Murphy, Luke Friedman, Anthony Sarno and Kayvon Seif-Naraghi (not in photo). Manager was Damion Swisher. Coaches were Michael Gilligan and Andrew Peterson.