The Juniors Scorpions [seventh- and eighth-graders] of the Red Rock Youth Football program went up against a big and tough defense that kept the Scorpions scoreless in Sedona’s season opener. It was also the first game in the Alliance Sports Youth Association, the new football program the team joined this year.

The Scorpions, who were playoff contenders last season, were beat 42-0 by the Phoenix Fury at the Sedona Red Rock High School football field on Saturday, Sept. 8.

“I thought the kids played their hearts out,” newly named Head Coach Sam Samano said. “They played a real tough team from Phoenix with a bigger pool of talent to choose from. Our guys fought hard considering who were playing.”

Samano, who was the head coach of the team last season, took over the head coaching position last week when Ken Selle had to resign due to personal reasons. Samano, who is an assistant coach for the high school and runs a West Sedona restaurant, felt like he could help the program by taking on the head coach position again when Selle resigned.

For the full story, please see the Wednesday, Sept. 12, issue of the Sedona Red Rock News.