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Phoenix North Canyon hasn’t been to the state football playoffs since 2011, but it has begun a tradition of producing the state’s top prospect. Video: Richard Obert/azcentral sports
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A big senior class, led by offensive lineman Joey Ramos, is ready to crash the 5A party. Video: Richard Obert/azcentral sports
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Phoenix Brophy Prep Broncos like flying under the radar. “We love proving people wrong,” said junior Marques White. Video: Richard Obert/azcentral sports
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The Ahwatukee rivalry could be the best it has ever been with Desert Vista looking to beat Mountain Pointe for the first time since 2011. Video: Richard Obert/azcentral sports
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After being banned from the 2016 high school football playoffs, Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep says it has something to prove in 2017. Video: Richard Obert/azcentral sports
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Centennial brings back an experienced offensive line that will star as its backbone this season. Richard Obert/azcentral sports
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Scottsdale Saguaro has to build up an offensive line depleted by graduation but the Sabercats are still stacked with talent. Video: Richard Obert/azcentral sports
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Hamilton still is engulfed in the hazing case, while Chandler gets ready to climb nationally
Richard Obert/azcsports
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High academic school in its first year for football aspires to be the Stanford of the Chandler Unified School District
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The new AIA executive director addresses biggest needs, challenges in Arizona high school sports.
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When high school junior Troy Delgado was homeless, there were days that school meals were the only ones he could rely on. Now, he’s planning to go to college.
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Corbin Smith, the son of former Arizona football coach Larry Smith, has brought in assistants whom he feels will help McClintock get back to respectability on the football field
Wochit
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With Rich Wellbrock at the helm, the Chandler Basha football program is being reconstructed with a quicker pace.
Wochit
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A closer look at the 2017 Chandler Wolves. Video: azcentral sports
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Spring football is time for Chandler’s talented additions to mesh with defending state champs. Richard Obert/azcentral sports
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Zidane Thomas leads title contenders into new season.
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McClintock coach Corbin Smith talks about having his players locked in during spring football as the new coaches try to bring back the school’s lost football glory on Wednesday. Richard Obert/azcentral sports
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North Canyon small in numbers, big on talent
Deer Valley looks big and bold in 2017
Brophy football wants to finish strong in 2017
Mountain Pointe, Desert Vista ramping it up
Notre Dame Prep football ready for season of renewal
Centennial revved up for another title run
Saguaro football begins its ‘drive for five’
Hamilton, Chandler open football practice under different spotlights
Arizona College Prep football laying the foundation
David Hines tackles high school sports issues
High school athlete overcomes homelessness to be three-sport standout
McClintock HS Football, Bringing back tradition
Chandler Basha football players adjusting to new coach
Chandler football, the team looks locked and loaded
Chandler football ready for another title run
Centennial preparing for another big football season
McClintock’s Smith: ‘What matters to me is the history of this school’
Lance Lawson was getting dressed for football practice on Tuesday, when his father called him into the coaches’ office at Mesa Red Mountain.
There was mail for the senior, who plays running back, receiver and safety, to open. One from Kansas State and another from Arizona.
With offers only from three Big Sky schools, Lawson figured it was the usual form letters that athletes on a watch list get in the mail.
He opened up the UA letter “and was super shocked,” said Dave Lawson, Lance’s dad.
It was an official scholarship offer from the Wildcats.
“Other players in the locker room looked at him,” Dave Lawson said. “It was a good five-minute moment. He was very happy.”
It comes at a good time, as Lawson, an All-Arizona player last season when Red Mountain made a run to the semifinals, prepares for defending 6A champion Chandler on Friday.
“It truly feels like a dream come true,” Lance texted.
His written offer came a week after Gilbert Higley senior running back Draycen Hall got one from UA, Hall’s first Power 5 offer, as well. Hall was the Gatorade Arizona Football Player of the Year last season.
What do both players have in common?
They’re under 5-foot-10 and stood out at a summer camp held by UA.
“He went to camp at UA in June,” Dave Lawson said. “The area recruiter came to our school and talked to us. He said Lance was one of the kids they really liked and asked if he could go to their camp. He did very well at the camp. He impressed the OC a lot. The gave us a tour of the facilities and said they’d stay in contact. There was dialogue once or twice a month. Suddenly, the offer comes in the mail.”
It’s a relief for Lawson, who can stop worrying so much about the lack of major-college interest and just ball.
“We always felt he was a Power 5 type of player,” Dave said. “I’m not saying that he fits in every school. But it helps solidify things for him. He can take a deep breath and be like, ‘OK, I got it,’ and refocus on football and winning a state championship. You can only do what is in your control.”
Lawson, 5-9, 185 pounds, began his prep career as a quarterback on varsity and enters his senior season with 2,506 rushing yards and 38 career touchdowns.
Lawson will play safety this season, as well. That could end up being his position in college.
Before UA, his offers were from Montana, Southern Utah and Northern Colorado.
BORDOW: Lance Lawson bucks transfer trend
To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at [email protected] or 602-316-8827. Follow him at twitter.com/azc_obert.
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