In only its second season of football Queen Creek’s (AZ) American Leadership Academy (ALA)—with offensive coordinator Max Hall—defeated Sabino 31-14 to claim the Arizona 3A AIA state title. BYU recruit Donovan Hanna was a big reason for the victory as he got it done on all sides of the ball with three receptions, six punts, and five tackles, including a career high three sacks.
Meanwhile, Isaac Rex’s second touchdown of the season—a leaping grab in the back of the end zone—came at a really good time, as he helped San Clemente overcome Valencia 41-35 to advance to the CIF Southern Sectionals title game later this week. Game summaries for each of the Cougar commits are listed below.
BYU Commits still in-action
- Keenan Ellis (WR, Bonita Vista HS, @Keenan_Ellis17). Bonita Vista (5-8, 2-2) fell to Mater Dei Catholic 42-10 in CIF San Diego sectionals semifinal matchup to see their season come to an end. Ellis was held to just two receptions for 20 yards. Season Totals: in 10 games has 41 receptions for 972 yards (23.7 avg) and nine touchdowns; nine kickoff returns for 235 yards (33.4 avg), including one 95 yard kickoff return for a score
- Donovan Hanna (TE/DT, American Leadership Academy; @donnyd119). The ALA Patriots (14-1, 6-0) defeated Sabino 31-14 to claim the 3A AIA state title. Hanna had three receptions for 37 yards, four solo tackles and one assisted tackle, three sacks, and six punts for 225 yards. Season totals: 53 receptions for 989 yards, 10 TDs; one carry for three yards; 29 tackles (11 solo, 18 assisted); 5.0 TFL; 4.0 sacks; 21 punts for 715 yards (with 6 inside the 20); kickoff return for 8 yards (and two touchbacks).
- Isaac Rex (TE, San Clemente HS, @Isaac_Rex1). San Clemente (10-3, 3-1) defeated Valencia 41-35 to set up a title matchup this weekend versus Murrieta Valley in the CIF Southern sectionals. Rex had two receptions for 21 yards and a touchdown in the semifinal game. Season stats (in seven games): 13 receptions for 160 yards, 2 TD
- Seth Willis (OL, Newtown HS; @seth_willy). The Nighthawks (10-0, 5-0) defeated Masuk 35-28 in their regular season finale. The face Shelton in the Connecticut Class LL playoffs today. Season Totals: one solo tackle
Class of 2017 commits whose seasons have concluded
- Tanner Baker (TE/DE, Alatoona HS, @TBAKE32). Alatoona (6-5 5-2) defeated Lanier 28-6 in the first round of the Georgia playoffs. They will face Glynn Academy this week. Baker is out for the season with a knee injury.
- TJ Buchanan (WR, Elgin HS, @BeastTj3). The Elgin Wildcats (3-7, 3-5) season is over. Season totals: 32 rushes for 216 yards, 5 TDs; two 2PT conversions; 52 receptions for 684 yards, 7 TDs; 15 KR for 188 yards; 4 PRs for 66 yards; 10 total tackles (8 solo, 2 assisted); 2 punts for 37 yards.
- Ben Bywater (ATH, Olympus HS, @benbywater5). Olympus (8-3, 5-2) season is over. Season totals (minus playoff stats): 121 carries for 679 yards and nine TDs; 10 receptions for 77 yards; 75 tackles, 1 sack.
- Bentley Hanshaw (TE/DE, Moorpark HS; @BentleyHanshaw). Moorpark (7-4, 1-2) season is over. Season stats: 43 receptions for 555 yards, 6 TDS.
- Ammon Hannemann (S, Lone Peak HS; @Ammon_Hann1). Lone Peak (12-2, 8-0) season is over. Season totals: 69 tackles; two interceptions; one reception for 7 yards
- Brandon Ale Kaho (RB/LB, Reno HS; @Brandonkah0). The Reno Huskies (10-2, 4-1) season is over. Season Totals (through seven games): 102 carries for 627 yards and 13 TDs; 6 receptions for 78 yards and 1 TD; 7-11 passing for 60 yards and an INT; 14 tackles (13 solo, 1 assisted); 2.0 TFL; 2 INT; punt; 4 PATs
- Tongi Langi (DB, Bingham HS; @Big_Tuna24). Bingham (14-0) perfect season is over. The Utah 5A state champs end with the No. 17 spot in the national rankings, and stayed at No. 1 in the Midlands region. Season Totals: 60 tackles; 1 punt return for 60 yards, 1 TD; one interception
- Jackson McChesney (RB, Lone Peak HS, @jackson21cheese). Lone Peak (12-2, 8-0) season is over. Season totals: 100 carries for 713 yards, 10 TDs; 34 receptions for 504 yards; 3 TDs; 89 yard kickoff return for a TD.
- Preston Lewis (DE/LB, Lone Peak HS, @plewis_8). Lone Peak (12-2, 8-0) season is over. Season totals (in 8 games): 27 tackles, 7.5 sacks, two interceptions
- Connor Pay (OT/DT, Lone Peak HS; @cpay73). Lone Peak (12-2, 8-0) season is over. Season Totals: No stats.
- Ryan Rehkow (K, Central Valley HS; @r_rehkow24). The Central Valley Bears (7-3, 4-1) season is over. Season Totals: 5-11 field goals (long of 49 yards), 16-17 PATs, 26 punts for 1190 yards, long 64, 13 inside the 20
- Jacob Smith (OT, Rosemount HS; @jesmith4530). The Irish (10-2, 8-1) season is over. Smith recorded no stats. Season Totals: No stats
Class of 2018 commits
- Campbell Barrington (OT/DE, University HS; @Campbel33563194). The University Titans (3-7, 0-5) season is over. Barrington sat out this season with a chipped bone on his femur. Season Totals: No stats
- Jaren Kump (OL/DL, Herriman HS; @jarenkump68). Herriman (5-5) season is over. Season Totals: 22 tackles, 2 sacks
- Cameron Latu (DE/TE, Olympus HS). Olympus (8-3, 5-2) season is over. Season totals: 13 receptions for 158 yards, 2 TDs; 53 tackles; eight sacks
- Nathan Latu (DE, Olympus HS; @LatuNathan). Olympus (8-3, 5-2) season is over. Season totals: 16 tackles, 1 sack
- Sekope Lutu Latu (K/P/TE, Kahuku HS; @LatuSekope). The Red Raiders (11-2, 6-0) season is over. Season Totals: eight receptions for 178 yards, 1 TD; two tackles; 6-6 on field goals (long of 20); kickoffs and XPT
- Tyler Manoa (DT/T, Saint Francis HS; @tylermanoa). The Lancers (10-2, 6-1) season is over. Season Totals: 39 tackles (13 solo, 26 assisted); 9.0 TFL; 5.5 sack; 10 QBH; one blocked field goal; one safety
Class of 2019 commits
- CJ Alatini (DE, Orem HS; @AlatiniCj). Orem (5-7) season is over. Season totals: No stats
- Tausili Fiatoa (DE, Orem HS). Orem (5-7) season is over. Season totals: No stats
- Siaki “Apu” Ika (DT/OL, East HS, @Jackfish801). East (14-0) perfect season is over. The 4A state champs ended with a national rank of No. 22. Season totals: 16 tackles (10 solo, six assisted); one sack
