2018 Green Valley Football Capsule

GREEN VALLEY

League: Class 4A Southeast

Head coach: Brian Castro, eighth (50-25)

2017 record: 10-2 (4-1 Southeast, second)

Returning starters: Eight offense, five defense

Base offensive set: Spread

Base defensive set: 3-4

Top offensive players: WR Kalyja Waialae (Sr.); RB Julian Hulse (Sr.); RB Noah Hawthorne (Jr.); OL Hunter Mecham (Sr.); OL Will Bonkavich (Sr.)

Top defensive players: LB Brant Hershberger (Sr.); DE/OLB Mitch Jacobs (Sr.); OLB Reyden Morett (Sr.); DB Daunte Watson (Sr.); DE Zane Maningo (Jr.)

Top newcomers: DB Kris Balagot (Sr.); C Bailey Burns (Sr.); WR Charlie Milana (Sr.)

Key losses: DB/WR Braxton Harms; QB A.J. Barilla; OL Eric Brown

Outlook: The Gators are coming off one of their most successful seasons, having advanced to the Sunrise Region title game.

But Green Valley must replace some key cogs, including two-way standout Harms, quarterback Barilla (2,248 passing yards, 22 TDs) and all-state offensive lineman Brown.

With Barilla gone, expect the Gators to rely even more on the ground game. That plays to the team’s strength with bruising senior Hulse (841 rushing yards, six TDs) back to lead the way.

Junior Noah Hawthorne (465 rushing yards, four TDs) also returns along with Bonkavich, who was a second-team All-Southeast League pick at offensive guard.

When the Gators throw the ball, Waialae (33 catches, 591 yards, seven TDs) figures to be one of the area’s top receiving threats.

Defensively, Jacobs should lead the way after earning second-team All-Southeast honors at defensive end. He had 43 tackles and four sacks.

Morett (81 tackles, two interceptions) also figures to play a big role on the defense.