by 
Matthew Zavala, Richard Ochoa and Michael Salazar are under the radar and are set to have a breakout season. Mila Besich-Lira | Sun
Superior Sun
The following list includes players from the Superior football team who we believe will have breakout seasons in 2014.
Richard Ochoa, Senior, OL/DL – 5’10” 190
Ochoa is one of the few upperclassmen on the Panthers’ roster in 2014. He’ll anchor the offensive and defensive lines this season. His strength, speed, and athleticism should allow him to be a force on both sides of the ball. He averaged four tackles per game in 2013 and recorded one fumble recovery. His leadership will be as valuable as his performance on the field. Ochoa will be counted to lead by example, which will be crucial to the development of the freshmen and sophomores on this year’s team.
Michael Salazar, Junior, RB/DB – HT/WT Unlisted
This is Salazar’s first year in the Panthers’ program and he figures to make a dynamic debut in 2014. His greatest assets are his speed and quick feet. His ability as a playmaker makes an area of strength for the Panthers last season even stronger this year. Salazar joins a backfield which includes QB Nicolaus Cruz and RB Edgar Galindo, all of whom can be nightmares for opposing defenses. On defense, Salazar should help improve a unit looking to make a dramatic improvement from its 2013 performance.
Matthew Zavala, Senior, WR/LB – 5’11” 182
It’s hard to label a guy who was the 2013 Superior High School Male Athlete of the Year as “Under the Radar,” but we did because we expect Zavala to have the best season of his career in 2014. A four-year varsity player, he is bigger, stronger and faster than in any of his previous seasons as a Panther. On offense, Zavala played primarily at receiver and took some snaps at quarterback. As a receiver he averaged almost 13 yards per reception and scored one touchdown. He threw for over 300 yards and four touchdowns as a quarterback. He was most valuable on defense last season, earning first-team All-Section recognition. The Panthers will need even more production from Zavala on both sides of the ball this season. We believe he’ll come through…big time.
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.
by by