Shane Purcell is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student who is covering Desert Heights for AZPreps365.com.

Desert Heights football coach Kendrick Felix is excited for the fall season despite profound changes.

The unprecedented summer has left little time for Felix and his team to prepare. “We weren’t able to do a lot of the normal preparation that occurs in June or July,” Felix said. “We actually didn’t get started until August.”

While every team had similar obstacles, the Coyotes have a new division to prepare for in an abridged off-season, and eight fewer starters to prepare for it with.

Personnel change is common in high school, but for an eight-man team, losing so many senior starters is more than significant. “They were pretty crucial to the team,” Felix said. But he remains excited for the return of junior quarterback Jacob Hanback, who missed the last two seasons with injury. 

“He’s back, he’s healthy and he looks good right now,” Felix said. 

The personnel overhaul is just one of many obstacles for Felix. Desert Heights will compete in the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) for the first time after leaving the Canyon Athletic Association. That means a new division and new opponents.

“Those are the powerhouse teams of eight-man football,” Felix said of the new division. “We have a good schedule. Out of the six teams we play, five of them made it to the playoffs last year.”

The challenge of competing in the 1A West division does not diminish Felix’s enthusiasm, however. “I truly believe that we’re going to be competitive,” he said. He also identified Bagdad as a school he is looking forward to playing. “I see them as one of the dominant teams in our section,'' Felix said. "Hopefully, this will be the start of a new rivalry and some friendly competition.”

The AIA is leaving fan protocol up to schools and the Coyotes plan to allow some fans in the stands. “For us, we’re allowing two tickets per player,” Felix said. He hopes to accommodate opposing players’ parents as well, and he believes that having home fans will be a boost for his squad. 

“Any school definitely benefits from having the fans, especially at home,” Felix said.

Desert Heights opens Friday at home against the Mogollon Mustangs.