The American Leadership Academy (ALA)-Queen Creek’s football team faces a new challenge this season as they step into the 5A conference after a successful season in 4A last year. Last year ALA played in the 4A Desert Sky region where it went undefeated in its conference and region, only losing one time in the regular season to eventual open division State Champions Saguaro High School.
The team’s performances over the past few years have earned it a spot in 5A, as ALA has been amongst the top teams in its class for the past few years. Three seasons ago, back when the team was playing in 3A, it went 9-1 on its way to a state championship, beating Benjamin Franklin High School convincingly. The team was then moved up to 4A where it went 7-1 in its first season, followed by last season’s 9-1 finish.
Last postseason, rather than entering the 4A playoffs, ALA was put into the open division where they faced off against Arizona’s top football schools. The open division for playoffs is made up of the eight best teams in the state across all conferences, which are picked based on a team’s record and strength of schedule. ALA was ranked eighth, meaning they were matched up against the top-ranked team, Hamilton High School, in round one.
“We ended up being ranked number eight in the state overall and put into the open (division), which was, you know, it was a blessing and a curse,” ALA head football coach Ty Detmer said. “Didn't get to compete for a 4A state championship, but, no charter school has ever been in that position before, to be ranked in the top-10 in Arizona. So, we were excited about that and having the opportunity to play a team like Hamilton, as well.”
While ALA fell 38-14 against Hamilton, the team’s performances over the course of the season still shined bright and led to the team being moved up to 5A ahead of this season. Stepping up to 5A means ALA will play bigger and better schools, a test the team feels ready for.
“The schedule gets tougher and we've got a lot to prove, that we need to be there and we deserve to be there,” Detmer said. “As far as players go, that's motivation to be working hard and to put the time and effort in, so, the motivation is there. We got a lot to prove this year, that we belong there.”
While ALA has played 5A and 6A schools in previous seasons, coming up against 5A competition every week is a whole different animal. Detmer said if they want to make a run this year the team can’t take any weeks off, because there are no easy games anymore.
“You look at your schedule and there are no games that you start to say, ‘Okay, we can suit up more JV guys for this week.’ In the past, at 4A there were a handful of games where there's a big discrepancy, but this year with our schedule in 5A there aren't any of those,” Detmer said. “So, we're going to be in tight games every week we feel like and the little things will hopefully pull you through.”
One thing the coaching staff will be relying on in close games this year is the large senior class. Detmer said he expects the vast majority of starters on offense and defense will be seniors, many of whom have been on the team since it first began playing in 4A.
The seniors on the squad have played a big role ahead of this season, showing the younger players how to train and prepare for the season. While the squad is filled with experience, there are still some players that will have to step up into a more important role this season. The team will have a new quarterback this season in senior, Drew Cowart, whom Detmer said has stepped up nicely into the role.
“He’s had a good offseason, good summer, we just got to put it all together in a game of real football. Seven-on-7 is one thing, but real football is another,” Detmer said. “Then we replaced our linebackers from last year, so we've got to have some guys step up there and fill those roles. But with a lot of seniors that gives you some experience, a little bit of maturity and hopefully those guys stepping into those roles will rise to the challenge.”
The first opportunity players will have to do that comes Sept. 2 as ALA faces off against Verrado High School in its opening game. The team’s first game in front of its home crowd comes two weeks later on Sept. 16 against South Mountain High School.
