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This is the third in 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 Sabercats’ players who are poised to have breakout seasons in 2015:
Manny Armenta (So), ATH – Ht/Wt Unknown
Even though his positions are yet to be determined, Armenta will be an impact player on both sides of the ball for the Sabercats, according to new San Tan Foothills’ head coach John Sanders. Armenta, who transferred from Chandler High School, could play wide receiver and/or running back on offense. During a recent practice he even took snaps at quarterback. As of now, he’s expected to play safety on defense. Sanders, remember, had a couple “athletes” during his time at Saguaro. Where ever Armenta is on the field, opposing teams will see a lot of this sophomore playmaker.
Kaleb McCarn (Sr), OL/DL – 6’0” 181
McCarn, the Sabercats’ lone returning offensive line starter, earned All-Division recognition a year ago. The undersized three-year varsity starter is the only remaining member of a group that had combined for 85 starts entering last season. He’s still undersized, but any coach would love to have a lineman with McCarn’s experience to lead a group of new starters. It didn’t take long for Sabercats’ head coach John Sanders to recognize the type of player McCarn was, calling the senior a “very good football player.” Indeed he is.
Johnny Craig (Jr), TE/DE – Ht/Wt Unknown
Craig looks the part of a prototypical tight end and was one of the first names to roll off the tongue head coach John Sanders when the new coach was asked to name a few impact players on this year’s roster. Sanders said Craig possesses a high football IQ and knows every position on the field. The junior played sparingly as a sophomore, but figures to be a top option in new offensive coordinator Mike Reardon’s spread-option offense.
Lorenzo Verdugo (Sr), OL/DL – 5’10” 210
Verdugo is a four-year varsity player who’s made his mark primarily as a defensive tackle, but he’s been overshadowed the last two years by two-time Player of the Year Ricky Wilson. The All-Division selection from a year ago registered 21 tackles-for-loss last season to go along with six sacks and a fumble recovery. He has been a disruptive force during each of the last two seasons on a Sabercats’ defense that allowed only 45 points last season, good enough for second in Section IV. With the departure of Wilson and some others on defense, now is the time for Verdugo to be a leader on defense. He’ll be a disruptive force again in his final high school season.
Devon Ziman (Jr), LB/RB – 5’11” 165
Ziman put up some gaudy statistics in limited action last season, rushing for 104 yards and two touchdowns on only nine carries. That’s an average of almost 12 yards per rush. Now it’s up to the second-year varsity running back to prove he can sustain that type of production over a full season. He’s certainly will have his chance to do just that in the Sabercats’ spread-option offense. With the departure of Player of the Year Ricky Wilson and the unknown status of the injured senior Saige Waxter, it’s Ziman’s time to shine and he will.
Kaleb McCarn
Manny Armenta
Lorenzo Verdugo
Devon Ziman
Johnny Craig
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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