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The national recognition is a big feather in the collective caps of the AWC Football coaches and players, since the poll takes into account the number and talent of current incoming recruits to a school’s program, plus the level of talent of returning players as well as the number of outgoing sophomores who have been placed in top 4-year college programs by the 2-year college.  The Matadors’ success this year of placing their sophomores in 4-year programs has been especially gratifying, since at least 19 sophomores from last year are heading to either NCAA Division I or Division II programs this fall.  The naming of AWC to the poll is even more impressive since the Matadors are the only team listed in the ‘Dirty 30’ that had a sub-.500 record last season (5-6 in 2006).  The Matador coaching staff is extremely pleased that they’ve received this high honor, but also realize that there is still much work to do to make sure they fulfill the expectations of the ranking.  “We’re honored to represent Arizona Western College in the national spotlight,” remarked AWC Head Football Coach James Pryor, who will begin his 3^rd season at the helm of the program this fall.  “But this doesn’t change the work habits of our coaches, players or program.  We’re still in the office every day, preparing game plans, schedules, playbooks, training camp schedules and recruiting plans.  This honor is great, but we’re still working just as hard as we did before the poll came out preparing for September 1^st (the Matadors’ 2007 regular season opener).” 

The Matadors are one of three Western States Football League programs that are listed in the ‘Dirty 30’.  Snow College-Ephraim, Utah’s perennial powerhouse-finished 2006 with an 11-1 mark, a win over Coffeyville (KS) in the Zions Bank Top of the Mountain Bowl and a #3 national ranking-are ranked 6^th in the ‘Dirty 30’ poll, nine spots ahead of AWC.  However, Glendale Community College-which was 9-2 in 2006 and finished with a #5 national ranking-is behind the Matadors in the ‘Dirty 30’ poll at 24^th.  JCGridiron.com gave a ton of respect to the programs in the Golden State, since 17 of the 30 programs listed are from California, and seven of those are ranked in the ‘Dirty 30’ Top 10, including defending California State Champion El Camino College from Torrance, who heads the ‘Dirty 30’ poll.