Based on the nominations from coaches and members of the Arizona High School football community, Sports 360AZ announced the 2014 Arizona All-Academic Football Team for Division III-VI. More than 230 athletes were nominated and the list spotlights the best the state has to offer both on the football field as well as in the classroom. All nominees were required to be Varsity level players and needed at least a 3.0 unweighted or 3.5 weighted grade point average.
Valley Christian placed ten on the All-Academic Team, including three student-athletes on the First Team. The three student-athletes on the first team were tied for the most of any school in the state.
First Team
DL: Gavin Stinson, Senior, Valley Christian, 4.0 unweighted GPA
LB: Quintin Fiedler, Sophomore, Valley Christian, 4.0 unweighted GPA
DB: Riley Rhodes, Senior, Valley Christian, 3.88 unweighted GPA
Honorable Mention
RB: Michael Gay, Valley Christian, 3.34 unweighted GPA
WR: Alijah Gammage, Valley Christian, 3.2 unweighted GPA
WR: Christian Sanchez, Valley Christian, 3.12 unweighted GPA
OL: Brendan Dyer, Valley Christian, 3.75 unweighted GPA
LB: David Campbell, Valley Christian, 3.96 unweighted GPA
LB: Mason Goodell, Valley Christian, 3.55 unweighted GPA
DB: Chase Sanchez, Valley Christian, 3.23 unweighted GPA
First Team
Gavin Stinson, DL, Senior
Recorded 52 tackles, six for a loss, and led team with 3.5 sacks. Forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and blocked an extra point.
Quintin Fiedler, RB/LB, Sophomore
Second on team in tackles with 71 and recorded ½ sack. Also forced a fumble on defense. Rushed for 96 yards and one touchdown.
Riley Rhodes, WR/DB, Senior
Third on team in receiving yards with 344 and also caught three touchdowns. Fifth on team in tackles with 44 and one tackle for a loss.
Honorable Mention
David Campbell, LB, Sophomore
Third on team in tackles with 64 and one sack. Forced two fumbles and recovered one. Also had two receptions for 25 yards.
Brendan Dyer, OL/DL, Senior
Senior captain was anchor on the offensive and defensive lines. 36 tackles including eight for a loss. Recorded 2.5 sacks.
Alijah Gammage, WR/CB, Freshman
Second on team in receiving yards with 680 and 10 receiving TDs. Led all-classes in AZ among freshmen in receiving yards, touchdowns and interceptions and finished among the nation’s leading freshmen in receiving yards (9th) and TDs (3rd). Led team in kick return yards. On defense, recorded 33 tackles, .5 sack and five interceptions (including one for a touchdown). Ranked 5th among D-V in interceptions. Also forced a fumble and blocked a field goal. Tied a school record for touchdowns in a game.
Michael Gay, RB, Junior
Led team in rushing with 655 yards and eight rushing TDs. Recorded 18 tackles on defense and was second on team in kick returns.
Mason Goodell, TE/LB, Junior
Led team in tackles with 97 and recorded six tackles for a loss. Fourth on team in receiving yards with 293 and caught five TDs.
Chase Sanchez, DB, Sophomore
Recorded 19 tackles and five interceptions. Ran one interception back for a touchdown. Ranked 5th among D-V in interceptions and 3rd in Arizona among sophomores in INTs.
Christian Sanchez, WR/CB/K/P, Senior
Ultimate iron-man never left the field as team’s receiver, cornerback, kicker and punter. Led team in receiving with 1,104 yards and ranked 14th in AZ-All Classes. Was 2nd in the state (all-classes) in receiving touchdowns with 17. Also rushed for 22 yards and one TD. Recorded 35 tackles and two sacks. Finished 2nd in the state (all-classes) with 10 interceptions and returned two interceptions for touchdowns. Also team’s leading punt returner and had one punt return for a TD. Totaled 21 touchdowns on the season and was 43/48 on extra points. Averaged 40 yards per punt with a long of 62 and 47 yards per kickoff with five touchbacks. Finished ranked 11th in the state (all-classes) in scoring with 171 points. Broke numerous school single season and career receiving records.