'Hunt them first': Basha football embracing the target after state championship season

As soon as last season ended in Sun Devil Stadium, holding up the biggest prize, the Open Division state championship gold ball, Chandler Basha was on alert.

Everybody is coming after the Bears in 2023.

Coach Chris McDonald knows it. The players know it. The motto has changed to, "Hunt them first."

"We've got a target on our back, for sure," senior linebacker Jack Bleier said. "We're coming out in attack mode."

Basha is going to miss key leaders, particularly defensive back/kick returner Cole Martin (now at Oregon), offensive lineman James Durand (Wisconsin), along with tailback Deshaun Buchanan (Idaho).

But Bleier, who moves back from defensive line to his natural mike backer position, is ready to lead a stout defense that last week picked up a big transfer in outside linebacker/edge rusher Kamarion Peete, who was the best defender on the field last December in Higley's 5A championship win over Cactus.

Ohio State commit Miles Lockhart, who will miss the season opener on Aug. 25 against Mesa Westwood as he rounds into shape after dealing with a leg injury that took him through spring and summer, is ready to take over at tailback to go with his defensive back duties.

And quarterback Demond Williams Jr. is back for a fourth season to lead the offense. He announced his commitment to Arizona on Monday, the first day helmets went on for the big schools to get ready for the Arizona Interscholastic Association football season.

Williams is the ultimate X factor, making defenses pay attention to his every move with his ability to break out and make plays with his legs, and make every throw.

With wide receiver Bryson Dedmon's move to Scottsdale Saguaro, Williams is getting used to some new receivers, including Gio Richardson, who has a chance to have a big breakout year. Richardson caught four passes for 47 yards on varsity as a sophomore, but McDonald has been impressed by him in spring and summer workouts.

Basha could play a freshman, Noah Roberts, at tailback in the opener. But he's no ordinary freshman at 5-foot-11, 180 pounds.

"There are a lot of new pieces, so we're kind of starting from a little further back than last year," Williams said. "But I feel like we're all coming together and it's going to be all better by the time we get going in our first game."

McDonald quickly built a monster of a program since arriving from Maricopa in 2018. Last year was loaded with returning starters.

But there are enough coming back to feel good about making a repeat run. There's no hiding. MaxPreps has Basha ranked No. 18 in its preseason national rankings. No other Arizona team cracked the Top 25. What started as 110 players in the summer grew to 200 players total in the program as Basha began practice in helmets on Monday. The freshman class is big and loaded with two more freshmen, offensive lineman Jake Hildebrand and two-way lineman Anitoni Tahi, having a chance to make an impact on Friday nights.

Safety and BYU commit Tommy Prassas is a returning three-year starter, along with Lockhart. Sammy Garcia and Cade Price are the only returning starters on the offensive line. Jordan Howard returns to the defensive line after becoming eligible midway through last season due to the transfer move from Eastmark. The same goes for tight end Jayvery Mayberry, another top talent.

"We have experienced guys, we just need young guys who are talented to just step up to the plate," McDonald said.

Basha's secondary is rated No. 1 by The Arizona Republic. But McDonald believes the defensive front could be good, especially with a full season from Howard and Brody Jones ready to take off.

This has allowed McDonald to move Bleier, 6-1, 225, back to linebacker, where he started his sophomore year. Last season, Bleier had 101 tackles and led the team in tackles for losses with 20.5 and in sacks with 10, after moving from backer to the D-line halfway through last season.

"He's a football player, through and through," said McDonald, paying the ultimate compliment to Bleier, who is willing to play wherever needed. "You can put him anywhere and he'll do the job."

Spotlight: Basha taking center stage in 2023 season in azcentral's Beyond the Gridiron

Bleier said he's ready to make any moves to help the team win.

"It was a great learning experience," Bleier said. "We have the best defensive line coach, DK (Derek Kennard), in the state," Bleier said. "That helps me playing linebacker, having that experience, being down in the trenches."

Bleier loves this defense.

"We come out every day competing, wanting to win," Bleier said. "Losing those guys hurt, but we know we've got to step up and we'll step up."

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter@azc_obert

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Basha football team determined to repeat state championship season