Brandon Buckner, Anthony Franklin, Zion Magalei, Eli Sanders: Meet the returning all-conference players in Arizona 6A football

We take a look at the 2019 6A all-conference honorees who will be back in action when the season kicks off Friday night.

The 2020 Arizona high school football season kicks off this week, and SBLive has rolled out a comprehensive statewide preview.

Here, we take a look at the 2019 6A all-conference honorees who will be back in action when the season kicks off Friday night.

Jax Stam (Liberty) photo by Elena Bernardo - EMB Photoshop

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Brandon Buckner – DL – Chandler

A first-team all-conference selection a season ago, Buckner racked up 54 tackles, 16 sacks and three forced fumbles for the undefeated state champions. The Oregon commit is one of four top recruits in Arizona headed to play for the Ducks next season.

Jacob Cisneros – RB – Boulder Creek

Cisneros was dominant for the Jaguars in 2019. He had nearly 1,500 rushing yards to go with more than 500 receiving yards and more than 500 combined kick return and punt return yards. He scored 19 total touchdowns. Cisneros added an offer from Yale during the offseason.

Anthony Franklin – DL – Pinnacle

One of the state’s top pass rushers, Franklin had 47 tackles, nine sacks and two forced fumbles during his junior season for the Pioneers. He received several scholarship offers from around the country before recently committing to Stanford.

Zion Magalei – LB – Chandler

Another returning star on defense for the Wolves, Magalei was a force as a junior. The three-star recruit had 51 tackles and 11½ sacks to help lead Chandler to the Open Division championship.

Parker McClure – LB – Red Mountain

The team captain enters his third season as a starter for the Mountain Lions. He had 117 tackles last season along with an interception and a fumble recovery.

George Ramirez – ATH – Red Mountain

Ramirez has played all over the field for the Mountain Lions and enters his fourth season as a starter. Last year, he totaled 70 tackles and two interceptions on defense. He had six touchdown catches on offense, and he blocked five punts while playing special teams.

Trey Reynolds – LB – Queen Creek

Reynolds was a monster last season for the Bulldogs. As quarterback, he threw for six touchdowns and rushed for eight. On defense, he had 159 tackles, four forced fumbles, three sacks and an interception. He’s committed to Utah.

Eli Sanders – RB – Chandler

After sitting out five games last year, Sanders assumed the backup running back duties and rushed for 10 touchdowns while averaging more than seven yards per carry. He committed to Boise State during the offseason.

Jake Schmitt – LB – Corona del Sol

A standout on both sides of the ball, Schmitt had five touchdown receptions last season among his 24 catches. On defense he totaled 94 tackles and 2½ sacks, and he blocked a punt. Schmitt has received several scholarship offers from colleges on the West Coast.

Jax Stam – DB – Liberty

One of three sophomores to be named all-conference in 2019, Stam has racked up 164 tackles, four sacks and four interceptions in his first two seasons. He helped lead seventh-seeded Liberty to the 6A championship last fall.

Malaki Ta’ase – DL – Mountain View (Mesa)

Ta’ase burst onto the scene with an impressive sophomore campaign that earned him a spot on the all-conference team. He finished the season with 74 tackles and eight sacks.

Jared Williams – RB – Chaparrral

The first-team all-conference selection rushed for 1,034 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. He caught 26 passes out of the backfield. Williams recently picked up an offer from Minot (N.D.) State.

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MORE: 2020 ARIZONA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW