Casteel coach, Chandler RB earn Cardinals’ weekly high school honors

After the second week of high school football, head coach Bobby Newcombe of Casteel and senior running back Eli Sanders of Chandler were respectively named the Arizona Cardinals high school coach and player of the week, the NFL team announced Wednesday.

Newcombe helped lead the team to a 25-24 comeback victory over Higley High School last week. Casteel was down 21-13 at half, but Newcombe was able to motivate his players for the come-from-behind win.

Casteel also had a close win in Week 1. The Colts edged out Boulder Creek 36-35.

Newcombe, a former Arizona Cardinal, was drafted in the sixth-round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He is now in his third season as the head coach of Casteel.

Sanders led Chandler to a 64-0 home win over Pinnacle last week. Sanders found great success in the on the ground, running for 213 yards and four touchdowns, including a 95-yard score, on 12 carries, according to Max Preps. Chandler is now 2-0 on the season.

The weekly awards are selected by a local panel of sports figures, including Cardinals defensive lineman Corey Peters, former high school football coach Kelly Epley, former 12 News sports anchor Bruce Cooper, 3TV/CBS 5 sports anchor Tresa Tudrick, high school broadcaster Michael Carotenuto, and Arizona Republic high school writer Richard Obert.

Newcombe earns a plaque and a $1,000 check on behalf of Cardinals Charities in support of the Casteel football program. The plaque was presented in a virtual ceremony on Thursday.

Sanders was presented a glass trophy on Wednesday via zoom.

Newcombe and the Colts take on Queen Creek, while Sanders and the Wolves face Perry on Friday night.

Last week’s winners were Coach Mike Zdebski of Hamilton and junior quarterback Burton DeLay of Valley Vista.