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The Spring Ball Report: Week 2

Week two of the spring ball report is here. 


Each week, we take a look at multiple programs and see how spring ball is progressing and how they are preparing for the 2026 season. 


This week, we take a look at a few teams shifting the narrative on their programs, rebuilding teams, and a 6A/Open team that has some of the best talent in Arizona.


McClintock



A team with expectations to make it into the 5A playoffs this season is the McClintock Chargers. 


The Chargers dealt with a plethora of injuries last season, as well as a young roster, and look to build off of their 2025 campaign. 


In 2025, they went 5-5, and they won four out of their last 5 games to end the season. 


They were one game off from winning the 5A Central Valley region and a berth into the playoffs after falling to Sunnyslope 28-7 during the last game of the season. 


McClintock head coach Nick Offenberger has expectations that his team should win the region this season and play in the postseason. 


“We want to become the best version of ourselves,” Offenberger said. “We want to be competing for the region championship. We want to get to the playoffs this year. We’re going to take it one week at a time.”



A veteran player who is coming back for his senior season hopes to bring those expectations to reality. 


McClintock 2027 athlete Aidan Whitaker is aiming to have another great season to cap off his high school career.


Last year, for the Chargers, after sitting out the first five games due to transferring in from Saguaro, Whitaker was asked to step in and play quarterback as the team dealt with injuries. 


As the signal caller, McClintock Whitaker had 10 passing touchdowns and 874 passing yards. 


This year, however, he is ready to make the move back to wide receiver and defensive back. 


“I look forward to it a lot,” Whitaker said when asked about moving back to his natural positions. “The thrill and excitement of it, just making the big plays that are needed.” 



Another key factor to the Chargers' upcoming season is the return of 2029 quarterback Kaiden Agbunag. 


One of the most highly touted freshmen last season, Agbunag’s season was unfortunately cut short as he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first game of the season.


In not even a full game, Agbunag had 127 passing yards and three touchdowns, showcasing the potential he has. 


Agbunag mentioned that one of the hardest parts of his recovery was waiting, but now he is ready to get back on the field and showcase his talents. 


“I’ve been waiting to get back out here on the field with my team,” Agbunag said. “I look forward to balling out with my teammates.” 



Along with Agbunag's injury, two-way star '29 ATH Tanoah Kauhi suffered a season-ending injury in the third game of the season. Kauhi holds D-I offers from Sacramento St, Georgia St, Texas St, and Portland St.


The Chargers will have a lot of talent on the team this season, but a main goal for year two in Offenbergers' tenure is to instill a strong culture. 


One of the things McClintock has implemented during spring ball is grade checks and making sure the athletes don’t forget they are students first. 


Things like grade checks are a strong way for the Chargers to build an identity and culture that will also help them on the field. 


“The biggest thing going into year two is the culture that we have,” Offenberger said. “I think we started to plant some seeds last year.” 


As McClintock gets ready for the 2026 season, a lot of eyes will be on them as they could be an intriguing team to make some noise in 5A this season should they stay healthy.


Hamilton



The Hamilton Huskies aim to hold the 2026 Open Division title trophy this season. 


Hamilton had a stellar regular season, going 10-0, and it truly felt like they were the team to beat heading into the Open Division playoffs. 


However, during the last regular season game of the season, Hamilton star quarterback Jax Sculley went down with a season-ending knee injury. 


The Huskies were able to beat Mountain View in the round of eight; however, they would fall to Chandler in the semi-finals. 


Thankfully for Hamilton, though, Sculley is already back out on the field and is almost at 100 percent. 


“It felt amazing to be back out there,” Sculley said. “I think I’m close to being 100 percent back.”



As just a sophomore, Sculley was phenomenal. 


In 2025, he threw for 2,947 yards and 41 touchdowns in 9.5 games. 


While that season was great, Sculley thinks he can be the best quarterback in Arizona this season.


“I’m looking forward to being the best quarterback in Arizona,” Sculley said. “Ready to hit my goal and hit 3k yards and 50 touchdowns.” 


Someone who can help him hit those achievements is five-star USC 2027 commit Roye Oliver. 


Not only was Oliver the Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year, but he was simply one of the best players across the nation. 


Last season, Oliver had 92 catches for 1,839 yards and 29 receiving touchdowns. 


Due to his elite production last season, Oliver has had quite the offseason.


In the past month alone, Oliver committed to USC and was ranked as a five-star in the 2028 class before reclassifying to 2027.


The duo between Oliver and Sculley should once again be electric. 


In general, the Huskies are loaded with talent, but they were last season as well, and know they have to be elite every single day. 


Hamilton head coach Travis Dixon has made it a point to figure out what the breaking point is on the team now, instead of late into the season.


“The biggest thing we talked about is being unbreakable this year,” Dixon said. “We’re trying to find our breaking points. We found our breaking last year, we can’t wait for the playoffs to have that happen.”



It has now been 14 years since Hamilton has been able to hoist a state title trophy.


The past few seasons, they have gotten closer and closer to that goal, but are still trying to find a way over the hump.


Dixon acknowledged that his team and coaching staff have to do things a little differently this season if they want to be the ones playing in December at Mountain America Stadium.


“We’ve been very non-adaptable in certain things that we’ll be adaptable this year,” Dixon said. “Let these guys be who they are, great football players. Find ways for them to be successful in the months of November and December.”

 

Hamilton will be one of the favorites to win the Open Division this season as they bring back a loaded roster and a vengeance on their minds.


Maryvale



Why not Vale? 


That is the motto behind the transformation and rebuild of the Maryvale Panthers. 


A reason for the motto is Maryvale co-head coaches Mark and Marcus Carter.


The Carter twins have adopted the saying, as many people have doubted them and overall the school itself, and they have looked to change the perspective on Maryvale. 


“When we took the job, people thought of all the bad things that could happen here,” Marcus said. “They didn’t really want to give us a chance. They didn’t want to give the community a chance.” 



In 2025, Maryvale won its first region title in 20 years and had a winning record as it went 6-4 on the season after winning its final 5 games with their transfers eligible. 


Even with the winning record, Maryvale could not garner enough power points in order to make the playoffs.


The Panthers will look to win the region once more, but also have expectations to keep progressing the program and find a way into the playoffs. 


“Defend our crown for the region, repeat as region champions,” Mark said. “We want to win more games than we did last year. Hopefully do our best to make the postseason, then go on a run.”


The star player for Maryvale is 2027 athlete Miles Woods, who was a difference maker for the Panthers in 2025. 


In only five games last season due to transferring in, Woods had 300 receiving yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions (one pick six). 


Woods currently holds D-1 offers from NAU and Illinois State and hopes to show more coaches during spring ball that he is a division one player. 


“That I belong in Division one,” Woods said regarding showcasing his talents in front of college coaches. “I think I’m P4 worthy.”



Another way for Woods to make his name more known is by helping Maryvale put more wins on its record. 


Woods said winning the region last year wasn’t good enough.


“I’m ready to go for a chip this time,” Woods said. “I don’t think [winning the] region was enough. We're ready to take it all the way.” 


Part of rebuilding a program comes with some young players having to take on huge roles right away. 


The Panthers had many freshmen play last season for them, one of them being Maryvale defensive end/tight end Kevin “Scatter” Smith.


As only a freshman, Smith led Maryvale in sacks with five and tackles for loss with 10. 


Even though he was thrust into a starting role day one, Smith took on the challenges and learned from them. 


“It’s a big change from youth football to come and play varsity,” Smith said. “We just had to handle the adversity, and we did what we did.”



The Panthers will also rely on their elite run game in 2026, as Maryvale 2028 running back Isaac Buchanan looks to have another great year. 


Last season, Buchanan had 1070 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns and 7.6 yards per carry. 


As a sophomore, Buchanan proved he is an elite running back and wants to build off his last season. 


“I’m looking to build off of it a lot,” Buchanan said. “I’m ready to take off.” 



With the combination of elite coaching and talent on the roster, the Panthers are in for a big season with high expectations for themselves. 


The story of Maryvale is inspiring, and they believe in themselves to have what it takes to go for a run at the 4A state title this year just 2 years removed from going 1-9.


Kellis



The Kellis Cougars are looking to get back over .500 this season after a tough 2025 season.


Last season, the Cougars went 1-9; however, they had a young roster as they only saw five seniors graduate.


Having a tough season was not something Kellis was used to; however, they are looking to improve during spring ball.


Kellis head coach Chris Miranda has made it a key point to get the strength of his team overall better. 


“We’ve been in the weight room; that’s been our key,” Miranda said. “Trying to build strength and speed.” 



Rebuilding and becoming a great team doesn’t happen overnight. 


Kellis was able to have one of the best to ever put on their uniform to speak to their players and deliver a great message. 



ASU linebacker and 2024 Kellis alum Tristan Bacon was able to speak to the team during practice and tell them to trust the process.


“The process is not going to happen overnight,” Bacon said. “You have to work every single day to get to what you want to do. I was just telling them about my experiences.”



A player trusting the process is Kellis 2028 quarterback Brodee Lermon, who is hopeful to have a great junior season. 


Even though 2025 was not how they wanted it to go, Lermon and the returning players are ready to put it behind them and improve.


“Last season was last season,” Lermon said. “This season we’re just looking to play as a team and play better than last season.”



Kellis will look to improve in 2026 and become a team that can once again be playing in the postseason. 


Chandler Prep



The Chandler Prep Titans are ready to build off a great 2025 season. 


During the 2025 season, Chandler Prep went 8-4 and won its first playoff game in school history over Alchesay.


It was a big step in the right direction for the program, and they hope to feed off of that momentum. 


Chandler Prep head coach Chris Ator says the goal is for them to once again have success. 


“The goal is to be competitive in non-region games, hopefully win the region,” Ator said. “Make the playoffs and make some kind of run.” 



Helping them get that first playoff win was Chandler Prep 2027 wide receiver, Aaron Crawford.


Crawford was a standout player for the Titans last season, having 51 catches for 1,015 yards and 16 touchdowns and 6 interceptions on defense.


Due to his success, Crawford has received some D-I interest but is still waiting for a school to offer him.


With spring ball underway and showcase events coming up, there is a strong chance Crawford will be offered to play D-I football. 


Hoping to build off his great season last year, Crawford wants to keep winning games. 


“I’m just looking to build on what Coach Ator built last year,” Crawford said. “Playoff-winning program. I’m just looking to expand on that and keep winning.” 



The mentality around the entire program is not to be satisfied. 


While last season was great for the Titans, they know it’s time to build on it and establish a consistently successful program. 


“Finally having that success we were reaching for last year, now it’s just time to build on it,” Ator said. “We’ve got the momentum.” 


The standard and expectation within the program are to become a perennial playoff team and to go on a deep run. 


Chandler Prep will have all the talent once again to return to the playoffs and make a deep run if they stay healthy.


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