John Wrenn got the ball rolling by starting Hamilton High on the road to football prominence 13 yerars ago.

The former Hamilton coach and athletic director at Hamilton and Perry high schools will have the football field at Perry High named in his honor when the Pumas play their second home game of the season on Sept. 2.

John Wrenn Field will be officially christened at 6:45 p.m. that evening prior to Perry's game against Apache Junction. Wrenn coached Hamilton from its inception 1998 through 2005. The Huskies won two state titles under Wrenn (2003 and 2004) and were state runners-up twice (2001 and 2005). Wrenn's overall record in eight seasons was a lofty 91-11.

The Chandler district hasn't waited long in honoring coaches and administrators of note. Hamilton's football filed is named in honor of former Chandler High football coach Jerry Loper, who piloted the Wolves from 1993 through the middle of 1996 before a tragic car accident claimed his life midseason of 1996. Hamilton's gymnasium was named after former district administrator Dale Hancock several years ago. Hancock passed away earlier this year.

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Arizona's consensus baseball player of the year in 2011, Mountain Pointe slugger Kevin Cron, has opted to  take the college route rather than turn pro. Cron, a third-round pick of the Seattle Mariners, did not sign with the Mariners Monday at the midnight deadline and will honor his commitment to play at Texas Christian. Older brother C.J. played at the University of Utah for three seasons rather than enter the pros and was a first-round pick of the Los Angeles Angels back in June. Kevin Cron won't be eligible to be drafted again for three years.

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Coaches making their debut in the East Valley have an array of opening night opponents when their seasons begin in nine days. The toughest draw on paper appears to go to Corona del Sol and new mentor Tom Joseph. The Aztecs visit Basha on Aug. 26. Other Aug. 26 opening night assignments for new coaches -- Carl Hayden at Higley (Eddy Zubey); McClintock (Matt Lewis) at Tempe; Mesa Mountain View (Chad DeGrenier) at Desert Mountain; Kofa at Chandler (Shaun Aguano); Mesquite (Matt Gracey) at Highland and Campo Verde at Apache Junction (Justin McDonald). Corona del Sol is the only one of the seven facing a playoff qualifier from 2010 in its opener.