Hamilton Huskies reload

After winning the 5A state championship in Arizona the last two years and sending a handful of players to Division-1 programs, Hamilton could get away with a down year.

However, head coach John Wrenn and his Huskies' are reloaded with talent for the 2005 season.

"We won the San Diego State and U-of-A passing league tournaments this summer," said Wrenn, who is one of the most respected high school coaches in the Grand Canyon State. "That is the first time we've ever done that."

"We'll probably have six kids get Division-1 scholarships again," he added.

The Huskies' offense will by led by junior-to-be Brad Gruner, who will start behind center.

"Brad never lost as a freshman, never lost as a sophomore as our quarterback on JV," Coach Wrenn explained. "He started on our baseball team, which finished second in the state, as a sophomore. He is just a winner and a great competitor. His older brother started for us a couple years ago when we won state."

Gerald Munns has already picked up scholarship offers from San Diego State and Colorado State. Utah, BYU, Arizona, Arizona State, Northwestern and Oregon have also shown interest. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound middle linebacker was named honorable mention all-state last year after recording 122 tackles.

Another prospect that has emerged on Hamilton's defense is Dontay Moch. The 6-foot-3, 218-pound rush end did not even start last season but his improvement this off-season has been remarkable. "Pretty much all the Pac-10 schools are interested in Dontay," Wrenn said. "He was the most valuable lineman at the U-of-A summer camp."

"San Diego State has offered him, he is Mekell Wesley's half brother," he added. "Colorado State and Nevada have offered. There are five that have already offered."

Moch won state in the 200 with a 21.8. He also has a personal best of 10.6 in the 100.

Not to be forgotten is Cody Engelbrecht, who rushed for 1,298 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior. Although he is strictly an offensive player at the high school level, many colleges have shown interest in Engelbrecht as a defensive back.

"We had quite a few schools looking at Cody," Coach Wrenn explained. "Schools like UNLV, San Diego State, they are looking at him. He is a great athlete, very talented. He's big and he's got good speed. He told me that he is up to 200-pounds."