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Hayden Lobos
The Hayden football enters the 2018 looking to reach the state playoffs for a third-consecutive year.
The Lobos went eight-straight seasons (2008-15) without reaching the playoffs before ending the drought in 2016. The question now is, can they continue the success?
“(Our coaching staff) has high expectations,” Hayden head coach John Estrada wrote in an email. “It really comes down to how bad the players want it. We need to work out some team issues. If that happens we can be successful. If things remain the same as the first two weeks, it can be a long season.”
Hayden returns 11 starters from a year ago – five on offense and six on defense – lead running backs Joel Rodriguez and Omar Lopez, both seniors. Noah Monroy, Robert Manriquez, Jorge Rodriguez and Peter Kame are among the other top returning players.
Junior Gilberto Carmelo takes over as the starting quarterback, replacing Mario Mariscal, who graduated.
“Our strengths will be our seasoned players,” Estrada said. “They know our offensive and defensive packages. They just need to work out some issues, believe in themselves, perform, and have fun.”
What are they keys to success on Friday nights?
“We need to come to practice, work extra hard, and learn the technique being shown to them,” Estrada answered.
Hayden opens its season on the road at Phoenix Day School for the Deaf on Aug. 24. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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