The Morenci Wildcats are starting the 2022 season with a bitter taste in their mouth. They were one win shy of bringing home the school’s second state football championship but fell to Arizona Lutheran Academy in the 2A title game, 28-14. Morenci still had an impressive season with a 12-2 overall record.
Head Coach Joe Garcia starts his 4th year at the realm in Morenci, his 16th overall, adding in his stop in Willcox.
There is good reason to be excited if you are a Wildcat fan this season and Coach Garcia pinpoints the strengths, ” Offensively experience both up front and with our skill players that return. Most of them played significant varsity time last year. Defensively we have solid team speed, and we do a good job of flying to the football.”
2021 2A Champion Arizona Lutheran along with Benson and Parker have all been moved up to 3A but the Wildcats still find themselves with a tough non-region schedule. Morenci will host Scottsdale Christian, Tanque Verde, Willcox, Globe and Pima this season. Their road opponents are Safford, Tombstone, San Tan Charter, Miami and San Carlos.
Coach Garcia had this to say about his schedule this season, “We have a tough out of region schedule which is a great opportunity for us to grow and improve. It is my hope that we take advantage of that opportunity.
Individually, there is an impressive list of returning players to this year’s Morenci squad.
Sr. QB/DB Daylen Johnson 5-10, 165 — 838 passing yards 13 TDs, 335 rushing yards 7 TDs
Sr. Flex player Derek Saenz 5-10, 160 — 425 rushing yds 3 TDs, 250 receiving yards 2 TDs, 42 tackles
JR. TE/DL Tristen Sanchez 5-11, 185 — 260 receiving yards 4TDs, 96 tackles, 15.0 sacks
JR. RB/LB Michael Casillas 5-5, 150 — 1846 rushing yards (led 2A) 26 TDs, 93 tackles
Sr. FB/LB Patrick Chavez 5-10, 195 — 474 rushing yards 4 TDs, 51 tackles, 5.5 sacks
Jr. Flex Player Donovan Vozza 6-3 195 — 58 tackles, 2 sacks
Jr. OL/DL Austyn Nelson 6-0 190 — 18 tackles, 17-21 PATs
Sr. OL/DL Gabe Hernandez 5-6 265
Sr. OL/DL Jalen Kitcheyan 5-5 245
Sr WR/DE Gavin Baca 5-11 160 — 54 tackles, 7 sacks
As the state runner-up last year, the Wildcats have caught the eye of many around the state of Arizona as the favorite to win 2A this season. But ask Coach Garcia and every game is the biggest game of the season, “Our approach is to take it one practice at a time, one play at a time, and one game at a time. Our approach is to focus on the process and getting better. The results will take care of themselves.”
Morenci will open their season at home on August 19th against Scottsdale Christian at 7pm.
