A complete 180

Last year even the spread offense was too conservative for then-Gila Ridge coach Simon Ocampo, who used the ultra-spread A-11 frequently.

This year under new coach and hall of famer Jay Denton things are already shaping up to be much more conservative.

The players said they notice the difference between the two coaches' offenses and are trying to adjust to Denton's system.

"Everything's different," offensive and defensive lineman Esteban Ruano said. "I thought it would be a bit of a struggle, but it's pretty smooth. Everybody is working together, everybody is coming together, and we're trying our best to see if we can accomplish something this season."

Denton coached three years at San Luis before not coaching anywhere last season. His 1-29 stint with the Sidewinders was a far cry from his days at Eloy-Santa Cruz, where he won two state football titles and three wrestling championships in two decades. The Hawks' first game is Sept. 4 at Mesa-Westwood.

Denton said he had a couple reasons for taking the coaching reins one more time.  

"It's a fairly new program and the opportunity to continue development at this young a stage," Denton said. "Also, the opportunity to build a tradition at a new school."

That also means a new system for the Hawks - who made the independent league playoffs last year and went 4-7 on a team without seniors.

"I think it took us some time to get it down," tight end and safety Nathan Pancrazi said. "But we're working pretty good right now, we've got the plays down, and right now we're just all about execution."

Denton said he wasn't sure about key players at any position - including at quarterback, where junior Corey Semler returns after starting last year. When he was hurt for a short while, Michael Pancrazi took over and is also back this year.

At running back, Alex Grassity, Andy Mea and Javier Bon will compete for carries, Denton said.

And like Denton can't predict his starters, Ruano said he's having a hard time foreseeing how the Hawks will fare in their first full varsity season - last year was played against a number of first-year programs and non-AIA schools.

"It's hard to predict what's going to happen because we are in the Gila Valley Region this year," Ruano said. "It's a real varsity schedule, so it's hard to predict what's going to happen."

Denton said his team better be ready to face the real varsity schedule Ruano described.

"That's all past history," Denton said. "This is a year of full varsity, first year in a 5A full-region thing, so that's all we have to worry about. We don't have to wo rry if we look like a first-year varsity team. We better look like one."

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Last year: 4-7 (2-3 independent league, lost in first round independent playoffs)

Top returners: The only player gone from last year's team - which had no seniors - is Dontae Gilmore, who transferred.

Key newcomers: With the roster virtually identical, new coach Jay Denton could have the biggest impact.

The Big Game: Most Hawks would have gone to Yuma High, so their near-upset of the Criminals last year was big. They play in a Gila Valley Region game Oct. 9 at home.

The lowdown: For a seniorless team, the Hawks won a surprising amount of games, but now face a full AIA schedule. Last year's team was a pass-happy spread team that utilized the controversial A-11, but Denton is installing a more conservative offense.

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2009 Schedule

Sept. 4 at Mesa-Westwood
Last year did not play

Sept. 11 vs. San Luis
Last year won 34-12

Sept. 18 vs. Gilbert-Perry
Last year lost 41-24

Sept. 25 vs. Tucson-Palo Verde
Last year did not play

Oct. 2 vs. Phoenix-Pinnacle
Last year did not play

Oct. 9 vs. Yuma*
Last year lost 40-26

Oct. 16 at San Luis*
Last year won 34-12

Oct. 23 vs. Kofa*
Last year did not play

Oct. 30 at Lake Havasu*
Last year did not play

Nov. 6 at Cibola*
Last year did not play

*-denotes region game; all games at 7 p.m. unless noted