Another season is done for the Red Rock Youth Football program, and this year the boys ended with another playoff run.
The Junior Scorpions ended their first season with the Alliance Sports Youth Association with a 3-5 record after getting knocked out during the first round of playoffs by the No. 1-seeded team, the Flagstaff Mustangs, 39-0.
“It is a real tough league,” said Sam Samano, head coach of the Juniors Scorpions. “It was a nice reward to see them go so far.”
The team, which was evenly mixed with seventh- and eighth- graders, fought its way for the playoff spot during its second-to-last game of the regular season. The boys beat the Prescott Valley Hitmen 43-3, securing the No. 4 playoff seed and eliminating the Hitmen’s chances for post-season play.
“That game was the biggest game of the year,” Samano said. “That got us into the playoffs.”
The Scorpions lost the final game of the regular season to the Flagstaff Eagles, 22-6, although the score was 8-6 for most of the game. The Eagles capitalized on a couple of bad Scorpion passes within the last five minutes of the game.
The Scorpions were still in the playoffs, but playing the No.1-seeded team in a tough feat. The Mustangs went on to win the championship.
“By the second quarter, we lost three or four of our top players due to injuries,” Somano said. “In order to beat [the Mustangs], we had to play at our fullest strength with their top three or four players out. They are just that good.
“But I am proud of our players to go through those injuries, have the young kids step up and finish the game with pride. I was totally proud.”
Sean Sullivan had a strong season. The eighth-grade running back and linebacker scored nine touchdowns in the last four games of the season, most from 40 to 60 yards out. In the game against the Eagles, he ran for 200 total yards, including a 60-yard kick return and a 50-yard touchdown run.
“The [Eagles] coach came over after the game and said to Sean, ‘Hey [No.] 32, you’re the best player we faced in the league,” said Daniel Sullivan, Sean Sullivan’s father.
Sean Sullivan was also named the Alliance Youth Sports MVP Player of the Week during Week 5. Sullivan scored on two touchdown passes, one for 45 yards and the other for 60 yards. He also had a one 55-yard touchdown run and was the leading tackler with 15 tackles on defense that week in the game against the Flagstaff Jacks.
“Sean is very focused on football,” Somano said. “He loves the game, is a team player, very coachable. He fights hard during games. He gives 100 percent every time and his motor never stops.”
Jake Christensen, an eighth- grade offensive tackle and defensive end, was also a standout this season. He was one of the team’s leading tacklers and a good offensive blocker, making him a steady threat on the line of scrimmage.
“Jake had very good work ethics,” Somano said. “He is another team player, he supports the team.”
Chas Rescigno stepped up in the Scorpions quarterback position in the third game when
For the full story, please see the Friday, Nov. 9, issue of the Red Rock News.
