Prep Football team previews: Gila Ridge Hawks

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - The Jessica Slaughter era at Gila Ridge has already seen success, but this year's Hawks may be her most talented group yet.

"It's a reload, not a rebuild," Slaughter said. "We brought back pretty much our whole defense. Some of our whole starting line came back to us, which is really great. I mean there's very few opportunities for us to have that in the past, so to see all those responses come back, it's really cool for us."

With depth, experience, and leadership, Slaughter says the excuses are off the table. The plan this season is simple: Get the ball into her playmakers' hands.

"Just about getting the ball in our playmakers' hands," she said. "We got Cota coming back and Kanai coming back, Prentice actually being a newcomer for us in the run game, so it kind of just opens up a lot of doors, gives us opportunities to spread the wealth."

Receiver Gabriel Cota, one of the top pass-catchers in Yuma County, said he can already feel a shift in mentality.

"I'm excited...we have a really good group. Everyone is coming in with high intensity, everyone wants it more this year," Cota said. "I see a lot of people who want to win and have that winning mentality."

Cota prides himself on being a do-it-all player.

"I'd say my size...to be able to get the yards after catch when I get the ball," he said. "I like to make a man miss and go and score. I play both ways and special teams, wherever my team needs me."

New starting quarterback Isaac Soliz admits there’s pressure, but credits his coaches for keeping him grounded.

"I thank my coaches, man...they keep me right," Soliz said. "Coach Slaughter, offensive coaches, defensive coaches...they get me right. We always wanna win, try to go 9-1. First one didn't go our way."

Wide Receiver Kanai Hongo, another one of the county’s top playmakers, said the focus is on staying united.

"Even if you lose, just pick each other's heads up. Stay humble, stay hungry," Hongo said. "And if you win games, make sure it's all the team, not just one person. It's like a group project."

With their offensive line intact, their defense stacked, and their stars ready to shine, Gila Ridge looks primed to emerge from the new Yuma division as a serious playoff contender.