2017 Bonanza Football Capsule
BONANZA
League: Class 4A Southwest
Head coach: Dion Lee, second season (5-5)
2016 record: 5-5 (3-3 Southwest League, third)
Returning lettermen: 10
Returning starters: Five offense, three defense
Base offensive set: Pistol
Base defensive set: 4-2-5
Top offensive players: RB/WR Joshua Wilson (Sr.); RB Justin Bacon (Jr.); QB Kyle Allison (Jr.); LT Silver Rodriguez (Sr.)
Top defensive players: CB Joey Fox (Sr.); LB Brendan Rehmel (Jr.); CB Carvarion Cranford (So.); DT Justwin Encher (Jr.)
Top newcomers: WR/DB Donavan Jackson (Sr.); WR Armani Burns (Jr.)
Key losses: RB Ricardo Hill; WR R.J. McCarter; FB/LB Ammon Montenegro; DE/TE Kenyon Devers
Outlook: The Bengals turned things around last season after going 2-7 in 2015 to make the school’s first postseason appearance since 2011.
Now the trick will be sustaining and building off that success.
The Bengals lost their top two offensive weapons in Hill (1,079 rushing yards, 10 TDs) and McCarter (41 catches, 838 yards, 10 TDs).
Allison saw limited time at quarterback last season, but will take over full-time after throwing 38 passes as a sophomore.
Lee expects Rodriguez, Wilson and Fox to play key roles on both sides of the ball, especially early in the season. The junior varsity went 6-3 last season, including losses to Bishop Gorman and Liberty.
“We built up a lot of confidence over the spring and summer, and now it is time to put that hard offseason work in the season,” Lee said. “We are looking to contend for a league championship and host our first playoff game in many years.”
