Basha looking to dominate after an open state title appearance

Basha looking to run it back:

Basha returns one of the strongest teams in Arizona this year. The defense only loses 1 starter and the offense remains loaded with multiple division 1 talents. Basha fell short in last year’s open division title game, losing to Liberty. Basha has nothing but revenge on their mind as they reload and replenish going into the 2025 campaign. The Bears have one of the toughest schedules in Arizona this year, as they will have to face playoff teams nearly every week of the season, including Trinity League powers Orange Lutheran in week 2. Let’s preview what the Bears have going into this year as they have one of the most talented teams in the history of the Grand Canyon State. Basha is just absolutely loaded, they have over 20 players with division 1 offers and many more with division 2, division 3, and NAIA opportunities. Nearly everybody who will touch the field in key moments for the Bears is a highly recruited prospect coveted by multiple schools, and they are looking as scary as a team has ever looked under head coach Chris McDonald. 

Let’s start on defense:

The Bears only starter from last year not on the roster this year is star edge rusher Darian Dantzler, who looks to make an impact on Oregon State this year as a true freshman. Basha has one of the most feared front 7s in not only the state but the entire west coast of the United States, and the group is led by senior linebacker Eli Cramer-Cronin, a New Mexico commit. Cramer-Cronin was a top 25 tackler in the nation last year, racking up more than 190 tackles in 13 games. Also returning is junior linebacker Marc Duerson, another top tackler in the state. The defensive line returns Dante Bruley, Anitoni Tahi, O’Shen Byrd, EJ Washington, Caleb Jordan, Sam Rohloff, To’omalatai Tuitele, and Landen Wade. The defensive line is incredibly deep and has multiple options to rush the passer and stop the run. And then we get to the secondary, one of the most dominant units in the country. Mason Lewis, a transfer from Casteel, is one of the most highly touted DB prospects to come out of Arizona in recent memory, and he is one of many lockdown DBs the Bears possess this year. Lewis headlines a group also led by Kaedyn Smith, Kaden Williams, Trey Knox, Tre Kennard, Kaleb Garcia, Lincoln Hansen, Taylan Patterson, and Geremiah Grimes. These DBs are incredibly fast, physical, and hard-nosed. It will be difficult to pass on the Bears this season, and I would be impressed if a team scored more than 30 points this year on them. 

look at the offense:

Next, we will look at the offense. The group is headlined by the runningbacks, Noah Roberts and Joshua Gaines. Roberts is ranked by
some outlets as the top running back in the class of 2027, holding down 30 plus division 1 offers. Roberts and Gaines are a thunder and lightning duo, both bringing bruising physicality and shiftiness that few backs in the state possess. Also returning for the Bears is senior gunslinger Brodie Vehrs, who recently committed to North Texas. Vehrs was one of the more efficient passers in the state last year, throwing only two interceptions in 13 games. The receiving core will be missing Gio Richardson and Dash Blake from last year, but Kash Brock and Jaden Baldwin will surely make impacts for the Bears this year in the passing game. Also, look out for players such as Jaden Burrell, Tristan Sailer, Christian Walker, and even Mason Lewis to put up serious numbers for the Bears this year. The offensive line is the newest look this year for the Bears, losing 4 out of 5 starters from last year. But, returning for the Bears is blue-chip recruit Jake Hildebrand, who was a dominant pass blocker and frightening run blocker for the Bears last year. Transferring in from out of state is 4 star offensive tackle DajohnYarborough, a very highly recruited junior from Minnesota. He comes to the valley to bolster one of Basha’s biggest questions. Also on the Bear’s offensive line is Tevita Kale, Jack Bennett, and Kade Karriker, all talented options for the interior of the Bear’s trench unit. Basha is one of the most talented teams in recent memory in Arizona, and if they do not win the state title, it will be an utter disappointment. There is no reason they shouldn’t win, and it would be one of the great shortcomings if they do not