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A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star

Sunnyside junior Alex Lucero works on improving his defensive line play during practice.

Sunnyside new and improved
Defending champ is better this year


Don Ketchum
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 27, 2004 12:00 AM


Tucson Sunnyside was impressive in defeating Glendale Cactus for the Class 4A football championship last season. 

But consider this: the 2004 version of the Blue Devils might just be better.

"We've got more experience, we've done a better job coaching, and we're stronger and quicker," coach Richard Sanchez said. 

Until someone knocks them off their pedestal, there is little room for argument.

So Sunnyside enters the season as The Arizona Republic's top-ranked 4A team.

The Blue Devils will find out how good they are when they kick off the campaign tonight on the road against Tucson Salpointe Catholic, the early favorite to claim the Class 5A Southern Region crown. Sunnyside finished 12-2 last season and has won 37 of its past 41 games. 

It doesn't stop there. Sunnyside hosts always-tough Scottsdale Chaparral on Sept. 3 and travels to the Valley to meet Goodyear Millennium on Sept. 10. 

"Our kids are pretty aggressive," Sanchez said. "We want to pick up where we left off."

A sign of that, he said, was consistent participation in a summer conditioning program.

Sanchez has a solid group of returning players, eight on offense and seven on defense. 

Quarterback Jaime Cota threw for 1,485 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2003. He also can tuck the ball under his arm and run, as his 416 yards will attest.

And the Blue Devils have one of the best running backs in the state, senior Xavier Smith, who already has made committed to the University of Arizona. 

Smith rushed for 1,831 yards and 22 touchdowns. He should have a strong line to open holes for him, led by center Adam Montijo and tackle Anthony Bonfiglio. 

The defense is led by senior cornerback Nate Vega, safeties Wally Altamirano and George Garza, and linebacker Mike Carreon. 

Being the hunted instead of the hunter is fine with Sanchez.

"The kids are a target," he said. "We won't downplay that, but we won't 'up-play' that, either.

"We just come in every day and try to improve. We're just trying to stay humble. We know it takes a lot of hard work."