Head coach: Ishmael MacNeil, second season at Safford
Alignment: 3A East
2025 record: 2-8
Returning starters: Four on offense, six on defense
Strength: Senior-heavy receiving corps
Biggest question: Developing a young roster quickly enough to start better
Safford may have two of the best athletes in the Gila Valley lining up together on the outside this season.
That has been the assessment of multiple opposing coaches after watching seniors Lamarr Ellis and Dane Jacobson during summer 7-on-7 competition.
Now the Bulldogs must find a way to turn that athletic ability into more victories.
Safford finished 2-8 during Ishmael MacNeil’s first season at the school, but the fifth-year head coach believes greater offseason commitment and a more experienced coaching staff have positioned the Bulldogs to improve significantly in 2026.
“We will improve greatly this year,” MacNeil said. “Our team has great players who have put in the work through the spring and summer.”
Junior Parker Whisman will be responsible for getting the football to Safford’s senior playmakers after being named the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback.
Whisman attempted only three varsity passes last season, completing one for nine yards, but he gained meaningful experience elsewhere on the field. He caught 11 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown as a sophomore, finishing second on the team in receptions.
He also contributed defensively, recording eight tackles and an interception.
Whisman now moves from being one of Safford’s younger receiving options to directing an offense built around an experienced group of receivers.
Ellis leads that group after earning first-team all-region honors at wide receiver and second-team recognition at defensive back last season.
He caught 14 passes for 372 yards and four touchdowns as a junior, averaging 26.6 yards per reception. Half of Safford’s eight passing touchdowns went to Ellis.
He also rushed for 75 yards and contributed extensively on special teams, recording 192 kickoff-return yards and 119 punt-return yards.
Ellis finished with a team-high 832 all-purpose yards, but his impact extended well beyond offense. He made 48 tackles, intercepted three passes and broke up seven more. His interception returns produced another 74 yards.
“Lamarr will be a key contributor in all three areas of the game,” MacNeil said.
Jacobson gives the Bulldogs another versatile senior at wide receiver and defensive back.
He handled several offensive responsibilities last season, completing 26 passes for 382 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 167 yards. Jacobson also caught nine passes for 110 yards and three scores.
Altogether, he accounted for 659 yards of offense while moving between quarterback, receiver and the backfield.
With Whisman taking over behind center, Jacobson can focus on becoming one of Safford’s primary receiving threats.
“Dane is a returning starter on both sides,” MacNeil said. “He will be a threat at wide receiver.”
The summer reviews of Ellis and Jacobson raise the ceiling for a position group that already returns nearly 90 percent of Safford’s receiving production.
Seven-on-seven football does not replicate the pass rush, blocking or physicality of a Friday night, but it does provide a clear look at speed, route-running, coverage ability and what players can do with the ball in space.
Ellis and Jacobson apparently showed plenty.
“Our wide receivers will be senior-heavy, and many will be two- or three-year starters,” MacNeil said. “We believe they all are big-play threats with the football.”
The potential is evident. The challenge is creating those opportunities consistently.
Safford completed 51 of 146 passes for 741 yards, eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season. The Bulldogs averaged 74.1 passing yards and 84.8 rushing yards per game.
They finished with 1,589 total offensive yards, fewer than 160 per game, and scored only four rushing touchdowns.
Addin Soto returns as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and will oversee Whisman’s transition into the starting role.
Whisman will not be asked to manufacture an offense by himself. His first responsibilities will be protecting the football, making sound decisions and giving Ellis, Jacobson and the rest of Safford’s receivers chances to make plays.
Senior Aries Peru will provide experience along the offensive and defensive lines.
Peru recorded 39 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and a team-high four sacks as a junior. His sacks resulted in 31 yards lost.
He is expected to take on a larger two-way role while helping Safford establish a more physical presence at the line of scrimmage.
“He will look to make an impact at the line of scrimmage,” MacNeil said.
Safford should have greater continuity defensively, where six starters return.
Last year’s underclassmen accounted for more than 60 percent of the Bulldogs’ tackles. Players eligible to return also produced six of the team’s eight interceptions and seven of its 10 sacks.
Ellis gives the secondary an established playmaker, with Jacobson returning beside him. Peru provides a proven pass rusher up front, while Whisman has also gained varsity experience on defense.
Carter Crosland, who was the interim head coach at Wickenburg last season, will serve as defensive coordinator and coach the linebackers. Brad Reynolds will work with the defensive line, Dylan Dorrell will coach the defensive backs, and George Jacobson will handle the outside linebackers. Jason Linden will coach the offensive line, while Marcus Gaethje will work with the receivers.
The biggest concern this season is youth.
Only nine seniors are on the roster, and several sophomores are pushing for starting positions on both sides of the football. Safford will need those younger players to mature quickly, particularly during the opening month.
The senior class has taken responsibility for setting the pace.
“There are only nine of them, but they have shown up all summer and got after it,” MacNeil said. “They are hungry for success and are pushing their teammates to higher levels.”
The Bulldogs open at home against Morenci on August 20th before playing consecutive road games at Blue Ridge on August 28th and Seton Catholic Prep on September 4th.
They return home to face Winslow on Friday, Sept. 11.
That will be Safford’s only Friday home game during the regular season. The Bulldogs have moved their other four home dates to Thursday nights.
Safford opens 3A East play at home against Coolidge on Thursday, September 17th. The Bulldogs then travel to San Tan Foothills on September 25th before hosting Thatcher on Thursday, October 1st.
Following an open week, Safford travels to Pusch Ridge on October 16th and Florence on October 23rd. The Bulldogs close the regular season at home against Sabino on Thursday, October 29th.
The Morenci opener, region opener against Coolidge, rivalry game against Thatcher and regular-season finale against Sabino will all be played on Thursdays.
MacNeil identified the first half of the schedule as especially important.
Safford struggled to build momentum during last year’s 2-8 season. A better opening would give the Bulldogs confidence before the heart of their region schedule.
“We are looking to get off to a better start in the first half of the year and build some momentum going into the second half,” MacNeil said.
Safford has legitimate pieces around which to build.
Whisman gives the offense a young quarterback who already understands varsity football. Ellis is capable of changing a game as a receiver, defensive back or returner. Jacobson brings experience from several offensive roles, and Peru gives the defense a proven presence along the line.
The Bulldogs also return six defensive starters and nearly all of their receiving production.
What remains to be seen is whether the explosiveness Ellis and Jacobson displayed during the summer will carry over once the pads come on and opposing pass rushers enter the picture.
“We are excited for this season,” MacNeil said. “Our kids have worked hard all spring and summer and have shown dedication. We have some great players who are ready to make plays and win games.
“Come out and support, and continue to bring the same energy you’ve brought in the past.”
Safford will still be young in several important places, but the Bulldogs may have the most dangerous receiving combination in the area.
If Whisman can consistently put the football in their hands, Ellis and Jacobson give Safford a chance to make 2026 look considerably different from 2025.
