Apple Valley Sun Devils: Division 6 Southern Section football preview
Apple Valley should not only be one of the better teams in Division 6 -- they’ll be among the most entertaining to watch, too. Here's an inside look at the 2019 Sun Devils.
Links: Apple Valley team page | 2019 schedule | Roster
2018 IN REVIEW
Overall record: 10-2 (4-1 in Mojave River League, 2nd place). Apple Valley lost to Glendora 48-33 in the Division 5 quarterfinals.
HEAD COACH
Matt Rohrbaugh is going into his 18th year as a coach at Apple Valley, and his fifth year as the head coach. He’s 34-13 after four years.
TOP PLAYERS
Offense
WR Tyron Smith 6’1”, 180, Jr.
RB Kenyard Edwards Jr., 5’9”, 175, Sr.
QB Jayden Denegal, 6’5”, 205, Soph.
WR Jeremy Justice II, 6’3”, 185, Sr.
TE Ryan Webster, 6’4”, 280, Sr.
T Deryck Cox, 6’0”, 240, Sr.
Defense
FS/SS Jeremy Justice II, 6’3”, 185, Sr.
CB Tyron Smith, 6’1”, 180, Jr.
DE Ryan Webster, 6’4”, 280, Sr.
LB Sam Jang, 6’1”, 225, Sr.
CB Kenyard Edwards Jr., 5’9”, 175, Sr.
THREE TO SEE
Jeremy Justice II – FS/SS
Jeremy Justice had 97 tackles last season and just so happens to be a deep threat at wide receiver as well. He was First Team All-League at the utility position, a testament to his athleticism and versatility. He has a D-1 offer from Cal Poly.
Ryan Webster – TE/DE
It’s rare to see a player receive First Team All-League honors on both sides of the ball. Ryan Webster did it as a TE and DE, and that was as a junior. This year, expect him to continue to dominate as a blocker and tackler. Coach Rohrbaugh let us in on something that should terrify the rest of the division: Webster (6-4, 280) grew an inch and gained more than 30 pounds in the offseason.
Tyron Smith – WR/CB
Wide receiver Tyron Smith was First Team All-League last season as a sophomore with over 600 receiving yards. He’s also a great defensive back. Look for him to continue breaking out on both sides of the ball this season.
OUTLOOK
Apple Valley should not only be one of the better teams in Division 6 -- they’ll be among the most entertaining to watch, too. Most of their best players are returning, and most of them start on both sides of the ball.
The Sun Devils lost QB Jeff Widener, who’s beginning at Northern Arizona this fall, but coach Rohrbaugh has a lot of confidence in sophomore QB Jayden Denegal.
First Team All-League WR Tyron Smith returns for his junior season along with fellow All-League performers Ryan Webster (TE) and Deryck Cox (C). RB Kenyard Edwards Jr. returns after racking up close to 400 rushing yards last season.
Then there’s Jeremy Justice II, who racked up nearly 300 receiving yards last season at WR, and was First Team All-League filling in gaps at the utility designation. He’s already received a D-1 offer from Cal Poly, and might just be getting started on the offensive end.
Defensively, well, we’re looking at mostly the same guys, but that’s a good thing given who they are. Webster was not only First Team All-League at tight end but also defensive end. Justice II registered 97 tackles last season … as a safety. Smith and Edwards both double as strong options at cornerback as well. They also return another dominant lineman in Sam Jang who registered 97 tackles last year.
Between the star returners and promising call-ups from the JV and freshmen teams, coach Rohrbaugh expects a very strong, competitive showing from his young team.
