Notes: Central DE Azur Kamara has become a sack machine

Here is a stat-line that jumps off the computer screen: 32 tackles for losses, 18½ sacks for 157 negative yards, 16 quarterback hurries, four caused fumbles.

They’ve been turned in by Phoenix Central senior defensive end Azur Kamara, a chiseled 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, who only began playing football his freshman year, two years after moving from Ivory Coast, where his passion was soccer.

“He’s the real deal,” said coach Jon Clanton, a former Peoria Centennial star defensive lineman who played at Nebraska.

When Clanton saw Kamara registering as a freshman, he approached the kid, figuring he was a basketball player.

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“I said, ‘You play football?’ " Clanton said. “He said, ‘No.’ His dad said, ‘You should go play.’ He played freshman football, and he loved it.”

Now, he is dominating the game.

"This year, he really worked hard in the offseason," Clanton said. "He shows up for big games."

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Last week, in a 47-10 loss to Laveen Cesar Chavez, which features one of the best offensive lines in Division III, Kamara, facing double-teams, had 11 tackles, five for losses, 2½ sacks and two quarterback hurries.

Kamara, who also plays offensive tackle, has an explosive first step, athletic and powerful. Clanton said that Kamara dominated Big Man competitions in the summer, going up against Division I offensive linemen.

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Clanton worked with Quincy Yancy and Will Yancy at Glendale Ironwood, and he had Kelepi Fifita at Central two years ago. Quincy Yancy played at Arizona State, Will Yancy at Nebraska and Fifita is at Northern Arizona.

"In my opinion, he's better than Will Yancy, I think he's better than Quincy, better than Kelepi," Clanton said. "He has the tools to be the real, real deal, be an impact player in college."

All of the junior colleges are on him. Kamara will have to get his grades up to get major colleges coming in on him, Clanton said.

Kamara said he is driven to play in college.

“I want to go as far as I can,” he said.

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Fast start

The move down from Division I to II has helped turn seasons around at Mesa, Tempe Corona del Sol and Scottsdale Desert Mountain.

Of those three, Desert Mountain underwent a coaching change. From 1-9 last season to 5-1 now, head coach Mike Morrissey has done a remarkable job. He was not shy to ask former NFL MVP quarterback Kurt Warner to be his offensive coordinator.

Desert Mountain will see how far it has come Friday night when it plays Scottsdale Saguaro, the preseason No. 1 team.

“This game is big to us because it’s the next game on our schedule, and it’s against such a quality opponent,” Morrissey said. “Saguaro has established themselves as a great program in our area, and we are excited to compete with them.”

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Desert Mountain is loaded with talented juniors, led by Warner's son, Kade, a receiver. But they want to make the playoffs this year. They are ranked No. 11 in the power ratings. Saguaro is No. 14.

“This game means lot to us as far as reaching our goal of becoming a playoff team,” Morrissey said. “Our kids have really worked hard to put our team in a position to earn another game at the end of the season and this would be another step closer to that.”

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Reservation football

Basketball teams get much of the notoriety on the Navajo and Hopi reservations, but Kayenta Monument Valley (6-0), Chinle (6-1), Keams Canyon Hopi (5-1) and Red Mesa (5-1) are showing there is as much pride playing football.

Chinle, Monument Valley and Hopi all are ranked among the top 11 in Division V.

“Our style of play may not be like the Hamiltons, Chaparrals and Chandlers, but we are very competitive and passionate for football like the kids,” Monument Valley coach Bryan Begay said.

Reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-460-1710. Follow him at twitter.com/azc_obert. Listen to the Which Wich High School Football Preview Show every Friday from 6-7 p.m., on NBC Sports Radio AM 1060 with Dan Manucci and Richard Obert.