As The Arizona Republic previews the 2024 high school football season, we look at every position, and break down all aspects.
Here, we look at the 10 most impactful athletes in the state. These are players who mean so much to their respective teams that it’s hard to keep them off the field for one play. They might also be return specialists. They find ways to change the game.
Top 10 impact athletes
1. Shamar Berryhill, Peoria Centennial, WR/DB, 6-1, 180, Sr.
If anybody can transition from 3A to 6A and make an impact, it’s Berryhill. He’s a fast, explosive playmaker on defense and offense. He made The Republic’s All-Arizona Team last season, when he led Tucson Sabino to the 3A championship, catching 19 TD passes in 2023. He also recovered five fumbles and intercepted four passes. He’s now with Centennial, where Coach Richard Taylor always keeps his best athletes on the field, so watch for Berryhill to start on both offense and defense.
2. Nathan Spivey, Tucson Salpointe Catholic, SS/WR/KR, 6-0, 200, Sr.
Spivey can do it all. He had 68 tackles and intercepted seven passes last season for the 6A Lancers. He also forced three fumbles. On offense last season, he caught 44 passes for 450 yards and five TDs. He had 288 yards in kick returns and 194 yards in punt returns. He had 90 yards in interception returns. The Lancers go how Spivey goes.
3. Nikko Boncore, Centennial, WR/DB, 6-0, 175, Sr.
He may not be eligible until midseason after transferring from Glendale Cactus, where he was a menace on both sides of the ball during his sophomore and junior seasons. Once he gets going, he won’t leave the field. His speed separates him from most. He’s got elite moves and the ability to take the ball to the end zone every time he touches it.
4. Dezmen Roebuck, Marana, WR/SS, 5-10, 165, Sr.
He committed in late June to Washington. Having the flexibility of playing him on either side of the ball will give the Huskies great options. He caught an impressive 121 passes for 1,332 yards last season. Included was a 14-catch, 200-yard game against 5A champion Higley, which had one of the best defensive backfields in the state. He had 48 tackles, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries on defense.
5. Rylon Dillard-Allen, Phoenix Mountain Pointe, S/WR, 6-1, 175, Sr.
He missed the first five games last year after transferring from Phoenix Desert Vista. But his presence immediately was felt once he started to play. On both sides of the ball. He’s a big-play receiver but he’s headed to Washington to play safety, where he’ll be a fierce competitor, making game-changing plays, and creating turnovers.
6. Dajon Hinton, Chandler Hamilton, 5-11, 175, Sr.
The key for Hinton is staying healthy. If the Huskies can keep him on the field, this could be an Open Division state championship season. He’ll line up at receiver and cornerback. He also is a dynamic return specialist. He missed all of his junior season at Saguaro last year due to an injury that has taken him into this summer to rehab. But there’s a reason why Arizona State and Arizona wanted him so badly without a single piece of junior film. He committed to UA.
7. Aveon Williams, Casa Grande, TE/DE, 6-6, 230, Jr.
He’s a freak athlete, who could play major-college basketball player if he wanted to. He’s a dominant target, who catches the ball in traffic and is virtually unstoppable in the red zone, high pointing the ball. He’s got such quick instincts on the defensive edge that he overpowers his way to quarterbacks.
8. Elijah Beamon, Queen Creek Casteel, WR/DB, 6-1, 180, Sr.
He will even play quarterback if asked to. He’s been a standout since his freshman year. He probably will play safety in college, but defensive backs know they have to be on top of their game to try to keep him from beating them on big plays, as he will catch anything in his vicinity.
9. Mekhi Hodge, Laveen Cesar Chavez, TE/DE, 6-2, 215, So.
First-year Cesar Chavez coach Chandler Hovik has big plans for Hodge, who gets downfield fast to make catches and gets to quarterbacks for sacks. He’s only a sophomore, but Hodge has a major-college build already. He is at another level, and it will be hard to keep him off the field.
10. Hyatt Lang, Gilbert Christian, DE/LB, 6-3, 205, Jr.
Might be the most explosive defensive player in small schools. He’s a one-man wrecking crew. Last season, he had 112 tackles, 54 solo and 26 for losses, along with eight sacks. In a 3A playoff loss to Surprise Paradise Honors, he had three tackles for losses and 11 tackles total. He’ll be used in many more ways this season to take advantage of his explosiveness.
Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. He also covers Grand Canyon University athletics and the Arizona Rattlers. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly…
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