Fiesta Sports Foundation selects high school tackle, flag football preseason All-Arizona teams

The Fiesta Sports Foundation, partnering with the Arizona Interscholastic Association, released its first preseason all-state high school tackle and flag football teams on Thursday.

There are 29 Arizona boys' tackle football players and 21 girls' flag football players selected ahead of the fall 2024 season. A panel of coaches, media, AIA officials, USA Football and Fiesta Sports Foundation representatives nominated the players.

Here are the Fiesta's preseason all-state teams:

Boys tackle football

Quarterback: Luke Haugo, Gilbert Higley

Running backs: Noah Roberts, Chandler Basha; Elijah Little, Phoenix Thunderbird

Wide receivers/tight end: Cooper Perry, Scottsdale Notre Dame; Dezmen Roebuck, Marana; Dylan Sims, Queen Creek; Shamar Berryhill, Peoria Centennial.

Offensive Utility/Flex: Nikko Boncore, Centennial.

Offensive line: Logan Powell, Phoenix Brophy Prep; Nick Spence, Peoria Liberty; Anderson Kopp, Brophy; Jake Hildebrand, Basha; Roman Fina, Tucson Salpointe Catholic.

Defensive line: Caden Branston, Liberty; Garrett Martin, Scottsdale Saguaro; Kaleb Jones, Phoenix Mountain Pointe; Jackson Murray, Scottsdale Horizon.

Linebackers: Hudson Dunn, Liberty; Aidan Browder, Chandler; Cody Wells, Notre Dame Prep; Carlos Montoya, Sahuarita Walden Grove.

Defensive backs: Cree Thomas, Brophy Prep; Rylon Dillard-Allen, Mountain Pointe; Jamar Beal-Goines, Goodyear Desert Edge; Nathan Spivey, Salpointe Catholic.

Kicker: Aaron Alvarez, Centennial.

Long snapper: Mack Mulhern, Horizon.

Return specialist: Gio Richardson, Basha.

Punter: Gehrig Heil, Arcadia.

Girls flag football

Quarterback: Katelyn Jewell, Waddell Canyon View.

Running backs: Daylee Woods, Chandler Hamilton; Jalyssa Guerrero, Gilbert.

Wide receivers: Samaya Taylor-Jenkins, Hamilton; Madison Coger, Campo Verde; Kate MacDonald, Phoenix Xavier Prep; Malaysia Roebuck, Marana; Cadence McCanless, Mesa Red Mountain.

Offensive Utility/Flex: Noreal Sparks, Mountain Pointe.

Rushers: Nami Singer, Marana; Carter Dille, Higley.

Defensive backs/linebacker/flex: Maycie Bassett, Canyon View; Naomi Ndayizeye, Hamilton; Kayla Tacker, Casa Grande; Khalia Dana, Gilbert; Kylee Thurman, Mesa Mountain View; Autumn Saavedra, Chandler.

Kicker: Katie Whipple, Queen Creek Casteel.

Long snapper: Mikayla Patterson, Xavier Prep.

Return specialist: Izzy Guzman, Casteel.

Punter: Kylee Wick, Gilbert Perry.

The players will be honored in person on Aug. 15 at the Arizona Bank & Trust Fiesta Sports Foundation Football Kickoff presented by Fairmont Scottsdale Princess with 2024 College Football Hall of Fame inductee and Arizona Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. as the keynote speaker, according to a news release sent Thursday.

The function will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a VIP session that includes photo opportunities and a meet-and-greet with Fitzgerald. The pregame networking opens at 12:15 p.m., with the main event starting at 12:45. That will include a conversation with Fitzgerald and Fiesta Sports Foundation Executive Director and CEO Erik Moses.

Tables can be purchased at FiestaBowl.org/FootballKickoff , by calling 480-350-0911 or via email at tickets@fiestabowl.org . Schools and booster clubs will have the opportunity to purchase tables for teammates, coaches and students at a discounted rate, according to the news release.

“The AIA is committed to promoting high school football for both the boys and the girls,” said AIA Executive Director David Hines said in the release. “This partnership with the Fiesta Sports Foundation gives our student-athletes additional opportunities to be recognized for their great achievements on the field. Congratulations to all of our players being honored today."

Said Moses: “The inaugural Preseason All-State teams are another example of how we are elevating the sport in partnership with the AIA. It was a difficult decision with all the talent that resides in Arizona and we are confident that the student-athletes selected are deserving of the honor.”

Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. He also covers Grand Canyon University athletics and the Arizona Rattlers. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @azc_obert

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Fiesta Sports Foundation selects high school tackle, flag football preseason All-Arizona teams