Brophy Prep offensive lineman Anderson Kopp didn't mince words Saturday at the Catholic Schools Media day on the Brophy campus.

"We have unfinished business," the Kansas commit said. "With the talent we have on our team our goal is not only to make the Open (division playoffs), but to win the Open...it all starts with the phrase "unfinished business". 

For Kopp and other seniors, the moniker makes perfect sense for a program that's lost three consecutive years to Red Mountain in the playoffs, each after taking a lead into halftime. Last November's 36-35 semifinal overtime loss to the Mounain Lions still lingers, while also providing motivation. Brophy was the No. 1 seed in 6A and looked the part after building a 21-0 lead in the first half. No. 12 Red Mountain fought its way back, and the teams took a 28-28 tie into overtime, where the Mountain Lions two-point conversion sent them to the 6A championship game.

It also sent the Broncos home in shock and disbelief; wondering what could've been. 

          Brophy center Anderson Kopp answers questions Saturday at the Catholic schools' media day. (Photo by Ben Stapley)

 

                                                        2024: Unfinished Business

Within a few weeks after the sting of that loss had warn off, Kopp decided he was going to do everything in his power to lead and encourage his team through 2024.

"It started with Anderson early in the offseason," Brophy coach Jason Jewell explained. "He came to me and said 'that hurt how we ended that last season, and we have unfinished business.' He said 'coach do you mind if I make that the motto for our football team?'"

Jewell was on board. Soon thereafter signs were hanging in the weight room and locker room, reminding Brophy players of the urgency and expectations for the new season. "I've lost to the same team three years in a row in the playoffs," Kopp said. "After last year I was like next year this is my team. Three years before I had seniors leading me, but this year I needed to take the initiative and I needed to step up. I'll be damned if I lose to Red Mountain again my senior year. So I thought, we need a motto." 

                                                                        Big-Time Talent 

No one is doubting Brophy has the talent to finish its business. In addition to Kopp, the Broncos have 13 current players with Division 1 scholarship offers, with speed and size all over the roster. The offensive line already resembles a D-1 unit. Along with Kopp (6-3, 280 pounds), left tackle and Wisconsin commit Logan Powell (6-5, 285) is one of the best in the country. Jorden Cunningham (6-5, 285) will play tackle opposite Powell.

Senior Christian Camarata led the Broncos in receiving  yards (541) and receptions (48) last season, while junior running back Harrison Chambers led Brophy in rushing (822 yards). Fellow Junior Daylan Sharper was close behind Camarata as a receiver, and already has big time schools drooling over his skillset. The secoondary is great shape with next level talents Cree Thomas (Notre Dame) and Dom Mitchell (Kansas State). Both are three-year starters.

The biggest unknown comes from the most important position on the field: quarterback. Two juniors are battling for the job in Case Vanden Bosch and Rylan Umphry. Coach Jewell will likely not make a decision until after next week.

                                                                          Open State of Mind? 

It's difficult enough to qualify for the Open Division playoffs, but any team that gets there will always face a gauntlet in terms of competition. Last fall, MaxPreps' ranked Arizona's Open Division playoff bracket the No. 6 most difficult in the country. Coach Jewell feels this team not only has the talent to reach the Open for the first time, but the mindset required to handle the elite competition.

"Honeslty last year during the media show when the brackets came out, I caught wind that some of our kids didn't want to be in the Open. We were close and ended up No. 1 in the 6A, but this group doesn't fear it. We want to be in the Open and that is the goal."

Ben Stapley is a staff writer for AZPreps365. For human interst story suggestions and other related news, contact him @ bstapley@azpreps365.com or 480 295-9125.