ARCADIA SPORTS PAGE ARCADIA SPORTS PAGE Page 58 August 2012 Inexperienced Titans look to build on banner season A tight end last year, Will Allen’s conversion to wide receiver is just one of the unknowns for the 2012 Arcadia football team. The Titans, a state semi fi nalist last season, have no returning starters on defense and must settle on a starting quarterback. Photo by Dale Messmer. By Nathan Humpherys The Arcadia Titans will have plenty to think about to pass the time on the 5-mile bus trip to Coronado on August 24 for the fi rst game of the season. Returning offensive players might think of last year’s opener, also against Coronado, or of last season’s end, a 37-0 loss to Cactus in the state semi fi nals. The new quarterback will likely review checks and reads. And each defensive starter will probably be eager and anxious for his fi rst game under the Friday night lights. Last season was one of Arcadia’s best in recent memory, and though most of the core starters have graduated, this season begins where the last one ended in many ways. “I think the main thing that we gained is experience,” coach Jim Ellison said. “We need to come to the realization that we should be in the playoffs every year and that we should go fairly deep . . . I think it taught them (the players) a lot, that they have it within themselves to make a deep playoff run.” Not only did making it to the semi fi nals have a big impact, but losing there did as well. “I think it was really good, actually, for us to lose the way we did,” said returning offensive left tackle Brendan Turelli, “because now that’s extra motivation to get back there and then go farther.” Returning on offense with Turelli are running back Steven Moala, tackle Caleb Smith, guard Tyler Richards, wide receiver Alex Reynolds, tight end Trent Wilson and tight end Will Allen, who will move to wide receiver. D. J. Warrick, who played cornerback for most of last year, will start at running back. He and Allen will be the main building blocks for the Arcadia offense. Veikune Maafu and Derek Keams will split time at fullback and, along with Moala, will round out Arcadia’s rushing attack. As with last year, the ground game will be a major focus. Given the talent of this year’s running backs corps and the graduation of fullback Sosaia Maafu, look for a good mix of perimeter runs to compliment the runs between the tackles that were such a staple last season. Junior Peter Campbell, last year’s JV quarterback, will compete with returning varsity player Payson Kendle for the starting quarterback job during training camp. While Kendle, a senior, was not a starter last year, the well-rounded athlete has played a myriad of roles on both sides of the ball and has experience playing quarterback in a varsity game. He is the more mobile of the two and would allow the team to call more option plays and quarterback runs, while Campbell is a more traditional pocket passer who is strong with play action and making reads. Continued on page 60 Watch top prospects from all 30 organizations in Major League Baseball in your neighborhood for six weeks before Thanksgiving during the six-team Arizona Fall League’s 20th anniversary season. Games are played Monday-Saturday at 12:35 or 6:35 p.m. Opening Day is Tuesday, October 9. Scottsdale Scorpions (Angels, Giants, Indians, Pirates, Yankees) Scottsdale Stadium 16 home games Defending Champion Salt River Rafters (Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, Nationals, Rockies, White So ox) Salt River Fields at Talking Stick 16 home games ONE LEAGUE, TWO HOME TEAMS Affordable family entertainment WWWMLBFALLBALLCOM&ACEBOOKCOMMLBFALLBALL4WITTERCOMMLBAZFALLEAGUEs   Season Passes s Family (limit 6): $115 s Senior (55+): $ 75 s Adult (18–54): $ 85 #ALL  ANDMENTIONTHE Arcadia News SEASON PASS