Page 56 September 2014 ARCADIA SPORTS Players to watch this year By Nicholas Smith Photo by NTK Photography 4123 N. 33rd Place | Phoenix, AZ 85018 | $615,000 Hillary Gurley YourArcadiaRealtor.com | 602.463.3359 Just Listed soapy sudz laundry YourTime is Valuable! • SAVE TIME & MONEY with our “State of the Art” large machines • Friendly staff to assist you with your every need • After every six visits, receive one FREE wash & dry • Air Conditioned for your comfort Or just leave your laundry with US ! We have the Best Wash & Fold service in the valley. We do it all, even that dreaded ironing! 3620 E Thomas Rd 602.955.0615 www.yourbestlaundromat.com 1 0 % off your wash & fold with this ad! Jake Sheedy, quarterback “Obviously the quarterback is going to be a huge part of our success,” said Coach Lenny Abt. Arcadia’s signal caller for 2014 will be senior Jake Sheedy, who spent last year backing up starter Pete Campbell. “Sheedy saw some action last season, which will help him,” said Abt. Devon Ferguson, wide reciever and defensive back Ferguson spent time on both sides of the ball last season. On offense, he averaged a total of 533 receiving yards, with a 70-yard reception during the team’s win over Independence. Including his 274 yards on kick returns, Ferguson ended the season with an astonishing 807 all-purpose yards. On defense, he averaged 2.1 tackles a game as a defensive back, and recovered a fumble. David Hubbard, running back and defensive back The senior spent time helping out last year’s starting running back Semisi Pulu. He ended up with 319 yards on the ground and scored six touchdowns, including three during a breakout performance against Shadow Mountain. He was also helpful in the receiving game, gathering in 23 receptions for 305 yards. A.J. Bates, running back and safety A.J. Bates was a factor on both the ground and in the air for Arcadia last season. He rushed for 343 yards in 2013, with his best game being a 79-yard two-touchdown performance against Independence. He also brought in 20 passes for 194 total yards receiving. Elijah Salcedo, running back and linebacker The haul for Elijah Salcedo last season was 394 rushing yards  &  =        #    with over 400 total yards last season. Having an excess of returning playmakers will be huge for the Titans this coming season. Dylan Turelli, linebacker Dylan Turelli ended the season with 44 total tackles to go along with three interceptions. The linebacker was a sophomore last season; meaning Arcadia can look forward to having two more seasons with Turelli. Football Continued from page 55 is instead taking it one game at a time. He admits this sounds cliché, but there is a reason for his answer. “Honestly, looking ahead is how you let games slip away, and that’s something $        "|   = “For us to be able to hold on to leads and   "     &    every possession.” Abt seems to love the Arcadia area, saying that he and the team feel supported by the local community. This is part of why he is focused on more than just the coming football season. Abt has made sure the local football teams for younger children are running the same offense that the Titans are, setting the building blocks for future success. “The goal can’t be just to get back to the playoffs for one season, although that certainly is a short-term goal,” he said. “We want to build a long-term winner, and that starts with focusing on every level of football in the Arcadia area. Our goal isn’t just to win, but to consistently keep that winning going.” ARCADIA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE All games start at 7 p.m. on Fridays, unless otherwise noted by * 9/5 9/12 9/19 9/26 10/2* @Shadow Mountain @Camelback Home vs. Maricopa (Homecoming) @North Canyon Home vs. Valley 10/10 10/17 10/24 10/31 @Chaparral @Notre Dame Prep Home vs. Independence (Senior Night) Home vs. Cactus Shadows

Page 57 September 2014 ARCADIA SPORTS Second summer of success for Arcadia little league team By Nicholas Smith Photo by NTK Photography Last season, the 8 and 9-year-old little league team from Arcadia, under Coach Jeff Wasson, ended up winning the St. Agnes 2013 Summer Little League Championship. Although it was an incredible accomplishment, it was only the beginning of the team’s run of success. The team, now 9 and 10 year olds, ended up winning their district this season,    #      = “There are 13 to 14 districts in the state, with 6-12 leagues per district,” explained Dave Davis, President of the Arcadia Little League, whose son, Mason, plays on the 9-10 team. “At the end of the season we have all-star teams begin practicing for two to three weeks to play in a district tournament. Then the winners go on to the state tournament.” Arcadia is still up and coming in terms of youth baseball in the state and it hasn’t had a plethora of little league teams advancing to the state tournament. This year was different. Both teams ages 9-10 and 10-11 won their district championships and advanced to the state tournament. “The boys come from multiple schools and different grades, but have truly jelled as a team to support each other and lift each other up,” said Tiffany Pankow, whose son, Nathan, plays on the 9-10 team. “They really shared a common goal our swim programs are internationally-recognized stop in and find out why! FREE BABY SPLASH 8 wks - 5 mos LITTLE SNAPPERS 6 mos - 35 mos GROUP LESSONS 3 yrs - 12 yrs SPLASH, PLAY & LEARN the Hubbard way! HUBBARDSWIM.COM 602.971.4044  &       " but still getting the chance to have lots of fun and still be boys.” The 9-10 year olds didn’t stop their run once they got to the state tournament either. The team continued to win game after game, which was both a blessing and curse for their parents. “The parents were so excited, but some families had scheduled vacations, assuming the team would be out by a certain point in the tournament,” Davis said. “You’d see parents during games calling to cancel reservations. It was funny to see.” }+     &     over the shared experience,” said Pankow. “Lots of hours in the stands cheering together, sharing nerves for our boys, traveling together, arranging carpools and meals, and of course analyzing the games together, has created an amazing sense of community.” The team eventually lost in the        + "  then won the championship. To Davis, these were probably the two best teams in the tournament. “I honestly think whoever won that game was going to win the whole thing,” he said. “I couldn’t be prouder of the effort, dedication and poise our boys showed this summer,” said Pankow. “Practicing in the middle of the day with 110 plus temperature to be prepared for game   "       planned vacations, and learning to overcome obstacles to come together as a team was impressive. It has been a great journey and truly a joy to watch how these boys have grown both as players and as young men. The success of these two teams has seemed to signal a change in the baseball culture in Arcadia. Once an area with little baseball success, the community seems to be becoming more serious now when it comes to the game. }~       & of commitment,” said Davis. “You have more kids playing on club teams, as well as their little league teams. Also more kids are playing in the summer than in years past.” The new attention to baseball, combined with the talent in the Valley, could make Arcadia a formidable baseball area for years to come. Skilled coaches also match the commitment of the players and their families. “Our coaches Jeff Wasson, Jack Krawczyk and Blake Edwards have been tremendous in teaching these boys the fundamentals of baseball, the commitment of teamwork and the joy of competition, while balancing the drive for success with the reality that these are young boys who will make mistakes,” said Pankow. “They have all been particularly focused on protecting young arms to ensure long- term success and health, providing a positive atmosphere and helping to avoid baseball burnout.” High aspirations, which once seemed unreachable, now seem much more likely. Including what would be the ultimate goal. “Jeff Wasson has a plan for the future,” said Davis. “The goal is to get an Arcadia team to Williamsport, to play in the Little League World Series. That’s the hope for a future Arcadia team.” Like us on