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Spring Ball Report: Week 1

Updated: 22 hours ago

Arizona high school football spring ball is here. 


Each week we will look at multiple teams and what they are up to this spring, and how they are preparing for the 2026 season. 


This week, we get to look at a 6A/Open powerhouse a new-look 5A team, and a national traveling team.


Chandler



Mason: After losing the Open Division State Championship game to Basha 34-7, the Chandler Wolves are looking to get back to the promised land this season. 


A big piece to that puzzle is five-star Oregon ‘27 QB commit Will Mencl. 


Coming off a season in which he recorded 4,556 total yards and 50 total touchdowns, Mencl has made a national name for himself. 


The name has come with a five-star rating and multiple top college programs trying to get him on campus.


Ultimately, though, Mencl decided he wanted to go to Eugene, Oregon, to be a Duck.


Now that his recruitment is locked down, Mencl is focused on preparing for the season. 


Being the leader and star player of the team, Mencl says he has looked over the loss to Basha multiple times this offseason and is ready to look for redemption in 2026. 


“I still watch that game probably weekly,” Mencl said. “It doesn’t sit right with me. I hate losing.”



While a lot of production is coming back for the Wolves, they will also rely on players to take that next jump. 


One of those players is Chandler 2027 wide receiver Jackson Colter. 


Only appearing in four games last season, Colter will be looked to more this year. 


“My whole goal has really just been focusing on myself,” Colter said. “Just hard-nosed grinding. Wherever I can see the field, make plays, get action.” 



With the Wolves looking to have another season of an explosive offense, expect Colter to see the field a lot more in 2026 alongside top returning receivers in 4-star Jai Jones, 3-star Maxwell Sprott, and Kaydon Gray. 


Another key piece returning to the offense for Chandler is ‘27 offensive tackle Sire Stewart. 


Since this time last year, Stewart has been on a lot of colleges’ radars.


At the top of his list are Duke, Baylor, Utah, Arizona, and Washington State. Stewart is hoping to announce his commitment before the start of the season.


“I’m trying to get it in before the end of the summer,” Stewart said. “Before we start the season, probably.” 



Stewart is also one of the few returning offensive linemen for the Wolves, and he has taken pride in taking a leadership role with the 2026 group. 


“I want to say all of it,” Stewart said on how much of a leadership role he's taken this year. “I put myself in a position where I can help my team out the most that I can.” 


While key offensive pieces are returning, the defense will have a key leader returning as well. 


Chandler 2027 linebacker Iona Kupa will be entering his senior season and hopes to build off strong 2024 and 2025 campaigns.

 

In 2025, Kupa had 62 total tackles, four sacks, and one interception for the Wolves. 


Something Kupa is looking to improve during spring ball is his communication with the rest of the defensive guys, so everyone is on the same page. 


“I’d just like to communicate more,” Kupa said. “Just better my game as I help my teammates around me.” 



On the defensive line, 3-star Jaxon Zembrycki and returning TFL leader Jude Jones will set the tone of the edges. Going up against Jones a lot in practices, Stewart had high praise for Jones. 


“Toughest to go up against in 1v1s? Jude Jones for sure, without a doubt. I would say he’s the best d-end in the state.”


The Wolves have a strong senior class for the upcoming season and hope to start building the foundation of a championship team during spring ball. 


BJ: In addition to a strong returning ‘27 class, the Wolves also have a couple of transfers that should have a big impact starting in Week 6.


The first of those two is ‘27 Highland transfer Gage Scheurn. He played WR and DE for the Hawks last season but is expected to transition to tight end with the crowded receiver room that Chandler already has paired with his great size at 6’5” and 200 pounds.


I’m not sure what Scheurn’s weight was back in November, but he looks like he’s put on about 20 pounds or so of muscle this offseason without losing any of his 11.15 100M or 4.5 40-yard dash speed. 


I think to fully embrace becoming a tight end, Scheurn could benefit from getting up to 210-220 pounds, but regardless he should have a big impact beginning in Week 6.


With his combination of height and speed, although he doesn’t currently have any offers, I would expect that to change later this spring ball as college coaches begin to roll into the valley.



The second of those two is ‘29 McClintock transfer Michael Rivera. After starting 10 games at a combination of center, guard, and tackle, Rivera will likely get the majority of his reps at center once he is eligible this fall.


Rivera plays a physical brand of football and will be a huge addition for a position group that graduated two D-I players in Blake Speer and Noah Swope. Rivera’s lone offer comes from Sac St, but he has plenty of time to add to that number and a full season of freshman varsity tape.



Cactus Shadows



Mason: An intriguing team in 5A this season is the Cactus Shadows Falcons. 


The Falcons are coming off their first playoff win since 2017 last season, although they will also look completely different this fall after graduating a massive senior class.


Cactus Shadows head coach Chris Dixon acknowledges that his 2025 team included a lot of seniors, but he is looking at the young guys on the team to grow during spring. 


“We lost 29 seniors last year,” Dixon said. “We lost a lot of starters. This year, I’m looking for growth to start.” 



One player they are looking to leap forward is Cactus Shadows 2028 quarterback Gage Millard. 


After 2026 star quarterback Donivan Dixon graduated and headed to Northern Arizona in January, the Falcons are looking for Millard to be their next signal caller. 


Another player poised for a breakout is Cactus Shadows 2029 athlete Colin Godfrey. 


In his freshman campaign, Godfrey had 43 total tackles and led the team with three interceptions, including a pivotal pick six in the 5A quarterfinal game vs #7 ACP. Godfrey also returned 4 kickoffs for 140 yards and 4 punts for 90 yards.



Godfrey wasn’t needed much on offense last season, but they have started to involve him much more at wide receiver at the start of spring. 


Even though the team will look a lot different, the expectation to put wins on the board stays the same. 


“Like any other year, win,” Dixon said. “We’re trying to win, we’re trying to get better every day.” 


A big piece that will help them meet those expectations is 3-star Cal commit and 2027 linebacker Gunnar Perry.


Perry transferred in from Notre Dame Prep during the offseason.


In 2025 with NDP, Perry had 119 total tackles and three interceptions. He was also used on offense as a running back, which saw him total 503 yards and 12 TDs on the ground.


While Perry prepares for his senior year and then for college, he feels his game will only get better after transferring to Cactus Shadows. 


“It’s a different style of coaching from Notre Dame Prep, but it’s good,” Perry said. “I feel my game is going to elevate just from being here.” 



There will be a lot of new faces taking the field this season, the Falcons will need their young guys to step up to win games in 5A’s toughest region.


AZ Compass



Mason: AZ Compass has won back-to-back CAA state titles (8-man in 2024, 11-man in 2025) and will travel nationally this year. The Dragons are looking to take its program to the next level. 


The AZ Compass Prep Dragons have compiled a 22-0 record over the last two seasons, and in 2025 didn’t allow any team to score a single point. 


With such dominance, it was time for the program to move up to the national level.



AZ Compass head coach Jaelen Strong has high aspirations for his program and wants his players to make it to the college level. 


“Now it’s time for us to build and give our guys a challenge,” Strong said. “Give colleges validation of our program.”



As the Dragons look to travel and take on some of the top teams in the country, they will rely on some key returning players to help lead the way. 


One of which is 2027 wide receiver Dominic Hawkins, who already has a D-I offer from Colorado State. 


Last season, Hawkins led the Dragons with 32 catches, 509 receiving yards, and 10 total touchdowns. 


A main goal for Hawkins and the Dragons is to prove that they belong on the national stage. 


“We’re taking on a big-time schedule this year,” Hawkins said. “We’re just looking to prove ourselves. Become one of the top schools in the nation, not just in Arizona.”



Another pass catcher returning is 2028 wide receiver Amare Walker. 


Last season, Walker hauled in seven catches for 147 yards, and he is looking to make a major leap this year. 


“My biggest goal is to have at least 600 yards,” Walker said. “I want to make sure I can show college coaches what I’m really made of.” 



With their passing attack coming back, the Dragons will also look for production coming back on the defensive side. 


AZ Compass 2027 defensive back/athlete Hyneef Thomas is coming off an injury-riddled 2025 season and looks to make a big impact this year. 



Even though he only appeared in three games before his season-ending injury, Thomas still recorded one interception, two pass deflections, and two rushing touchdowns.


Thomas is hoping to prove himself this season after not playing much in 2025. 


“This year I got a lot to prove,” Thomas said. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes for my team and myself.” 



While they are focused on playing a national schedule this season, this year is more about furthering the program and community. 


Creating elite football players is what AZ Compass wants to do, but they also want to make great young men. 


“Teaching them how to be young men,” Strong said. “We want to provide our community with great men. That’s how you further a program.” 


AZ Compass is looking to make its name known on a national level this season like their boys basketball team.


“I think from the basketball perspective,” Strong said. “The way they do things at a high level, the way they treat their players and provide things to their players for them to have the platform to exceed and succeed… I think we’re learning a lot in that department of preparing our guys as professionals.”


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