2025 season: 49 solo tackles, 101 total tackles, five interceptions, two caused fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Averaged 40.2 receiving yards per game, had four receiving touchdowns, and scored seven touchdowns.
Against Empire, he had nine tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, an interception, a forced fumble and two pass defended in Walden Grove’s 35-21 victory.
Against Tucson High, he caught five passes for 100 yards and a touchdown.

Dobson is probably the most statistically accomplished player on this list. His combination of ball production at corner and offensive explosiveness makes him a particularly valuable returning 4A player.

Paul Delgado — Walden Grove

LB | 5-11, 185 | Sr.

He also plays tight end.
2025: 25 solo tackles, 79 total tackles, 7.9 tackles per game, three sacks, two interceptions and six QB hurries.
Finished among the top 5 in the 4A Kino region in tackles, according to his MaxPreps leaderboard ranking.
Walden Grove’s leading tackler at 7.9 tackles per game.
Against Northwest Christian in the state playoffs, he recorded 12 tackles and three sacks.
Against Sahuaro, he had 10 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.

Delgado brings consistent tackle production from the middle of the defense and has enough versatility to contribute at tight end.

Issak Gonzalez — Walden Grove

OL | 6-2, 220 | Sr.

Against Empire, Gonzalez recorded two tackles and a half tackle for loss.
Against Vista Grande, he recorded four tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
In the state playoff game against Northwest Christian, he had six tackles and was credited with a QB hurry.

Gonzalez has significant varsity experience and has demonstrated the ability to play both sides of the line. His continued development on the offensive line should make him an important senior for Walden Grove.

Dominic Sanchez — Walden Grove

RB | 6-1, 205 | Sr.

2025 stats:
- 44.9 rushing yards per game
- 12 total touchdowns
- 12 rushing touchdowns
- 7.5 sacks
- 11 QB hurries
His 7.5 sacks ranked among the top 25 in Arizona 4A.
Against Empire, he rushed for 97 yards and two touchdowns on only nine carries, while also recording five tackles, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a pass defense.
In the state playoff loss to Northwest Christian, he rushed for 54 yards and a touchdown on nine carries and added 54 receiving yards.
He also had seven tackles and two sacks against Empire in another matchup.

Sanchez’s 12 rushing TDs and 7.5 sacks show that he can impact a game on both sides of the football.

Mica Mountain senior lineman Jeremiah Williams (Bold Imagery photo)

Jeremiah Williams — Mica Mountain

OL/DL | 6-4, 250 | Sr.

His MaxPreps profile credits him with 5 pancake blocks in the available 2025 statistics.

At 6-4 and 250 pounds with experience on both sides of the line, Williams gives the defending 4A state champion valuable size and versatility up front.

Bryan Williams — Sahuaro

DL | 6-0, 260 | Sr.

2025 stats:
- 49 tackles
- 8 tackles for loss
- 4 sacks
- 3 QB hurries
His two-year varsity totals entering 2026 were 85 tackles and seven sacks.
He improved from sophomore to junior year, going from 36 tackles and three sacks in 2024 to 49 tackles and four sacks in 2025.
His MaxPreps profile lists physical measurements including a 295-pound bench, 535-pound squat and 535-pound deadlift.

Williams is one of the more experienced interior defensive linemen in region. His tackle and sack totals increased as he moved from sophomore to junior, suggesting a strong upward trajectory.

Jayvion Gilbert-Rojas is one of the top returners in Southern Arizona (Sahuaro graphic)

Jayvion Gilbert-Rojas — Sahuaro

DFLEX | 6-0, 180 | Sr.

Plays halfback, strong safety and inside linebacker; previously played running back and strong safety.
2025: 114 tackles, 74 solo, 40 assists, 9 tackles for loss and 1 sack.
Averaged 10.4 tackles per game, ranking among Arizona’s leading tacklers and No. 12 in 4A in the MaxPreps 2025 leaderboard.
His career totals on MaxPreps show 198 tackles, 125 solo tackles and one sack.
As a sophomore in 2024, he already recorded 84 tackles, including 51 solo tackles, and a sack.
He had several monster defensive games in 2025:
- 18 tackles vs. Estrella Foothills
- 12 tackles vs. Walden Grove
- 12 tackles vs. Sahuarita
- 11 tackles vs. Mica Mountain
- 11 tackles vs. Sabino
He is also listed as a team captain in track and field and has a reported 3.8 GPA.
His profile lists a 4.7-second 40-yard dash, 225-pound bench, 315-pound squat and 345-pound deadlift.

Gilbert-Rojas may be the most intriguing “DFLEX” player in the region. His 114 tackles and 10.4-per-game average demonstrate elite involvement in Sahuaro’s defense, while his ability to play running back, safety and linebacker gives the Cougars considerable flexibility.

4A GILA

Braden Krammer — Empire

DB/WR | 5-8, 175 | Jr.

2025 stats include:

Six interceptions, tied for the Southern Arizona lead among 4A Gila players.
49 total tackles in nine games.
369 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
Scored 37 points, including two field goals
Against Sahuarita, he recorded 10 tackles and 84 receiving yards.
He also handled kicking duties for Empire, including a perfect 5-for-5 on PATs and 2-for-2 on field goals against Rio Rico.

Krammer’s combination of six interceptions, receiving production and kicking ability makes him one of the youngest high-impact players on this list.

Hunter Thompson — Rio Rico

DB/WR | 6-0, 145 | Sr.

2025 stats include:

Five interceptions in 10 games.
209 receiving yards on 13 catches.
Averaged 16.1 yards per reception.

Thompson is a true two-way player, listed at WR/DB. His five interceptions were the clearest indicator of his defensive impact last year.

Nathaniel Gallardo — Sahuarita

LB | 5-9, 200 | Sr.

2025 stats include:

85 total tackles in 10 games.
30 solo tackles.
Averaged 8.5 tackles per game.
Recorded 2.5 sacks.
Against Empire, he had 13 tackles and a half-sack.
Against Sahuaro, he had another 13 tackles.
Against Cholla, he recorded nine tackles, two tackles for loss and 0.5 sack.

Gallardo also competes in wrestling. Averaging 8.5 tackles every game last year made him one of the most reliable defensive players in the region.

Ahmad Remigio — Sahuarita

OL/DL | 6-4, 285 | Jr.

Remigio is the youngest player on this particular first-team list.

2025 stats include:

18 tackles, 6 solo.
2.5 sacks.

His combination of 6-4, 285-pound size and two-way line experience makes him one of the more intriguing underclassmen in Southern Arizona.

Nathaniel Ballesteros — Pueblo

OL/DL | 6-1, 220 | Sr.

His Hudl profile lists a 300-pound bench, 455-pound squat and 455-pound deadlift.
MaxPreps recorded 16 tackles during the 2025-26 season.

Ballesteros’ physical profile and ability to contribute on both sides of the line are his biggest assets.

Brandon Carroll — Sahuarita

OL | 6-5, 290 | Sr.

Plays center, tackle and defensive tackle.

Carroll’s 6-5 frame and roughly 300-pound build, along with experience at center, tackle and defensive tackle, are the most important indicators of his talent.

Sahuarita flex standout Sergio Burgos Jr.

Sergio Burgos Jr. — Sahuarita

OFLEX | 6-0, 200 | Sr.

2025 stats include:

58 tackles.
Averaged 6.4 tackles per game.
Recorded 3.5 sacks.
Had 263 receiving yards, averaging 29.2 receiving yards per game.
Was Sahuarita’s No. 1 receiver in yards per game.
Against Rio Rico, he had five carries for 57 yards and two touchdowns, plus four receptions for 55 yards.
Against Empire, he had 10 tackles.

Burgos is exactly the type of player the flex position designates. He can impact the game as a linebacker, tight end, receiver and potentially in the backfield.

Roman Otero — Pueblo

QB | 6-1, 175 | Sr.

2025 passing:

1,453 passing yards
76 completions on 158 attempts
48.1% completion rate
17 touchdown passes
5 interceptions
145.3 passing yards per game
Long pass of 85 yards
QB rating of 103.2

2025 rushing:

35 carries
171 yards
4.9 yards per carry
Six rushing touchdowns

Through his first two varsity seasons, he had:

1,986 passing yards
21 TD passes
15 interceptions
171 rushing yards
Six rushing TDs

Otero led the 4A Gila region in passing yards (1,453) and total offense (1,629 yards) in 2025. Also a baseball player for Pueblo, listed as an outfielder/pitcher.

Dom Vurro — Cholla

RB | 5-5, 165| Sr.

2025 stats include:

680 rushing yards
151 carries
4.5 yards per carry
75.6 rushing yards per game
Long run of 41 yards
Three games with 100+ rushing yards
Finished as the No. 1 rusher in the 4A Gila region.
Had huge games against Rio Rico and Rincon/University:
- 122 yards on 18 carries vs. Rio Rico
- 123 yards on 26 carries vs. Rincon/University.
Against Empire, he rushed for 71 yards on 19 carries.