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Catch and run: Top 10 2018 Arizona high school football wide receivers

By Richard Obert, Arizona Republic, 06/18/18, 11:45AM MST

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No. 6 Tommy Christakos, Chaparral, 6-4, 195, Jr.

Great quarterbacks aren't going to be great without guys who can catch the ball and make plays.

Arizona has a great supply of wide receivers. There are so many that I will have two groups of receivers.

Next week, I'll examine the hybrid tight ends, guys who can play in tight and block and make red-zone catches and flank out wide and be a big-play threat.

Today let's look at the top 10 Arizona high school football wide receivers for the 2018 season:

No. 1 D’Shayne James, Gilbert Perry, 6-3, 210, Sr.

He may be Perry's quarterback, but there may not be a better game changer on offense after he catches the ball. He's going to Iowa State next year to play wide receiver, hoping to reunite with QB Brock Purdy, who is there now after finding James 45 times for 1,086 yards and 15 TDs last season en route to the 6A final.

No. 2 Brenden Rice, Chandler Hamilton, 6-3, 193, Jr.

He wants to set his own path, not just be known as the biological son of Jerry Rice, arguably the greatest receiver in NFL history. He caught 25 passes for 559 yards and seven TDs as a sophomore. A deep threat who catches balls in traffic.

No. 3 Khyheem Waleed, Casteel, 6-3, 180, Sr.

He battled through some injuries but he was spectacular when he played last season. He averaged more than 25 yards on 14 catches and was great in the final two games during Casteel's run to a 14-0, 3A state championship season. He will become QB Gunner Cruz's favorite target in the move up to 5A.

No.  4 Ricky Pearsall Jr., Tempe Corona del Sol, 6-2, 205, Sr.

A big-play threat who catches everything, Pearsall had 1,153 yards and 15 TDs on 74 catches last season. It included a game for the ages in a 48-34 loss to Gilbert in mid-October: 14 catches for 342 yards and five TDs.

No. 5 Jacobby Dinwiddie, Mesa Mountain View, 6-2, 175, Sr.

He has been the major-college coaches' radar since a breakout sophomore season. He has 130 catches for 1,472 yards and 11 TDs in his last two varsity seasons. Fast, fearless and acrobatic.

No. 6 Tommy Christakos, Chaparral, 6-4, 195, Jr.

Great athlete who will only get better because he has the work ethic to become the best. Rangy, fast, elusive receiver who makes plays after catches. Last season, he caught 32 passes for 608 yards and eight TDs. Those numbers could double this year.

No. 7 Colby Dickie, Perry, 5-9, 170, Sr.

He's not just a possession receiver. Remarkable hands who has a knack of getting behind the secondary to make big plays. He has 128 career varsity catches for 2,388 yards and 21 touchdowns.

No. 8 Jalen Williams, Phoenix Shadow Mountain, 6-4, 190

He is a top basketball player but he is getting more interest from colleges in football with his versatility. He is a  top safety/linebacker on defense but he can change the game on offense with his big catches. In his first year in Arizona last season, he caught 28 passes for 616 yards and nine TDs for the Matadors. He also had an 86-yard scoring run.

No. 9 Andre Johnson, Tolleson, 6-4, 191, Sr.

He recently picked up an offer from Arizona State. He is explosive off the line and has different gears. He has reliable hands and top-line speed to cause separation with receivers and beat safeties downfield.

No. 10 Terrell Hayward, Vail Cienega, 5-10, 160

He is a two-way player whose college future might be on the offensive side, if last year's plays are any indication. He caught 51 passes for 1,021 yards and 12 TDs last season. He'll have a new quarterback, but all the Bobcats need to do is dump short passes to Hayward in space and let him make plays.