2017 Del Sol Football Capsule

DEL SOL

League: Class 3A Sunrise

Head coach: Mike Valenzuela, first season

2016 record: 4-6 (1-3 Sunrise League, fourth)

Returning lettermen: 18

Returning starters: Four offense, seven defense

Base offensive set: Spread

Base defensive set: 3-4

Top offensive players: RB Taariq Flowers (Sr.); QB Maalik Flowers (So.); WR Markell Turner (Jr.); WR Barry Williams (Sr.)

Top defensive players: SS Barry Williams (Sr.); OLB Jason Hoyer (Sr); ILB Victor Cano (Sr.); ILB Darrion Webb (Sr.)

Top newcomers: WR Markell Turner (Jr.)

Key losses: WR/S Jonathan Spearman

Outlook: The Dragons will look to their explosive athletes in hopes of returning to the Class 3A Southern Region playoffs.

Taariq Flowers, who rushed for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, should be one of the state’s top rushers this season. Younger brother, Maalik Flowers, should be more seasoned with a year under his belt.

The defense, meanwhile, returns seven starters, including standout safety Barry Williams.

“We have a handful of explosive athletes that I expect to create conflict for teams each week,” Valenzuela said. “We expect to compete on a weekly basis and to enter into the playoffs playing our best ball. The hope and goal is to be in a position entering the playoffs to win a few games.”