10 Things Sierra Canyon's Football Team Must Do to Succeed

1. Tyler Stewart has to have another great year. After completing 56 percent of his passes for 2,961 yards and 39 touchdowns last year, the quarterback returns for his senior season, and his production – and leadership – should prove vital once again.

2. Julian Brooks needs to step in for graduated go-to receiver Shane Harrison. A year ago, Harrison had 75 receptions for 1,229 yards and 25 touchdowns, plus he totaled 101 tackles on defense – an ultra producitve senior season. He’s gone now, having graduated and moved on to Sacramento State.  This year, it’s Brooks’ turn to step up.

3. The offensive line needs to be even better than last year because most of the starters is back. With just about every key blocker returning, there’s no reason for issues about opening holes for the running backs or providing pass protection. Andrew Terry, a 6-foot-5, 265-pound three-year starter, has been appointed team captain for the second year in a row, and he and some of the other big boys up front like Remy Linares and Abe Roka must do the dirty work in the trenches.

4. Coach Jon Ellinghouse must have his players in peak form at the very end. Sierra Canyon did not play well in a championship loss last season to Alpha League rival Paraclete, and if and when the time comes to put it all on the line in another final, Ellinghouse must motivate his team to play better than ever before.

5. Brian Tucker must prove a worthy replacement for tight end Jesse Howell, who has left the team. With Howell, a top tight end, having decided to concentrate on basketball-only for his senior season, Tucker, a junior, is the man. He has already proven himself as a starting linebacker, and now Tucker needs to catch some passes and score some touchdowns.

“Actually, I made a huge mistake by not using him offensively the past couple of years – he’s very physical,” Ellinghouse said.

6. Noah Zgrabalich needs to show poise. He’s a freshman kicker who has won a starting spot, and sometimes it can nerve-racking on Friday nights when all the attention is on you.

7. Running backs Danny Jordan, Xavier Menifield and William Young need to be team players. All three are capable running backs who’ve proved themselves, and they’re going to have to share the football again.

8. Kieran Yancy, another running back, needs to work his way into the rotation, too. There are already a lot of good backs, but Yancy, a sophomore, is a playmaker and needs to get his touches, just like the rest of them.

9. Someone needs to be the new defensive leader. Caleb Nickels had 204 tackles last season, but he has graduated. The most likely candidate to be the leading tackler is William Young, who had 138 last season.

10. Most important, Sierra Canyon must conquer nemesis Paraclete. The Spirits beat Sierra Canyon twice last season, once to clinch the Alpha League championship, then again in the East Valley final. Can’t happen again.