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This is the fourth and final part of a four-part series, by school, where the Ledger will profile football players who you may not know yet but will as the season the progresses. For now, they are Under the Radar. Here is a list of Queen Creek players who are poised to have breakout seasons in 2015:
Chase Thomas (Sr), TE/LB – 6’1” 195
Thomas appeared in 10 games in 2014 and recorded 34 tackles, including nine tackles-for-loss, and four sacks. Now in his second varsity season at Queen Creek, Thomas will fill one of the four starting linebacker positions in the Bulldogs’ defense. Thomas’ size and speed allows him to pursue plays across the field and he should draw the attention of opposing offenses, which will want to account for him on every play. In addition to starting on defense, Thomas could earn significant time as a tight end on offense, perhaps becoming the latest two-way starter for the Bulldogs.
Nico Martin (Sr), OL/DL – 6’0” 225
Originally one of three returning starters along the offensive line, Martin is now the last one standing after injuries to fellow returning starters Dempsey Adams and Jake Bowser. After playing offensive tackles last season, Martin will serve as the Bulldogs’ starting center in 2015, replacing Bowser, who is still recovering from an ankle injury suffered in last year’s semi-final playoff game. Martin will also start at defensive end on defense this season, making him another two-way starter for the Bulldogs. Martin’s athleticism and strength make him a prototypical Queen Creek offensive lineman. Those same attributes figure to make him productive on the other side the ball this season.
Travis Moore (Sr), WR/DB – 5’10” 165
Moore, a cornerback, is one of four returning starters in the Bulldogs’ defensive backfield, likely the biggest strength of the Queen Creek defense. He started all thirteen games last season, finishing sixth on the team with 62 tackles, including three tackles-for-loss. With a year’s experience under their belt, Moore and his defensive-back teammates will frustrate pass-happy offenses and provide run support for the Bulldogs’ front seven, when needed. Moore also returned kicks last year, a duty he’s likely to repeat this season.
Dante Coleman (So), RB/LB – 6’0” 185
Coleman’s performance as a freshman attracted the attention of Bulldogs’ head coach Travis Schureman, who believes the sophomore running back can contribute in his first varsity season and ultimately become a special player at Queen Creek. That’s saying something given the list of outstanding running backs to carry the ball for the Bulldogs over the past few seasons. Coleman is following in the footsteps of those other former running backs and current senior teammate Gavin Danielson by debuting at the varsity level as a sophomore. Coleman may not get as many carries as last season, but he’s certain to show his potential when his number is called.
Jordan Ackert (Sr), TE/LB – 6’1” 220
Ackert played on both sides of the ball last season with his biggest contribution coming as a reliable pass-receiving option in the Bulldogs’ power-rushing offense. A strong showing at the 2014 summer-ending passing-league tournament earned the then-junior playing time in his first varsity season, where he finished with 14 receptions for 146 yards and 2 touchdowns on offense. In limited action on defense, he contributed two sacks and an interception. Ackert has only recently been cleared to return to practice after suffering a knee injury during the summer passing-league season. He should be ready to go when the season kicks off later this week and will make his biggest contribution on offense, where he’ll be a favorite target of the Bulldogs’ quarterbacks.
Chase Thomas
Dante Coleman
Travis Moore
Jordan Ackert
Nico Martin
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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