Football season is still over three months away, but the quest has already begun for the Scorpions. The Scorpions team had its first practice on April 6 and are looking forward to increased numbers as spring sports conclude.

Since new football head coach Bob Young is currently coaching Scottsdale’s Notre Dame Prep in the baseball playoffs,
his assistants have run Sedona’s practices.

Young was last a head coach in fall 2017 when he led the Mingus Union High School Marauders to a 5-6 record and the state playoffs.

Young resigned from the Marauders on March 12, 2018, and accepted a defensive coordinator position at Notre Dame Prep.

Young spoke on the upcoming summer and what he hopes to have accomplished by August.

• Have you had the opportunity to get more acclimated with your players?

A little bit, just on the Saturdays so far. At this moment, it is whoever shows up those days, but there is only three weeks of school remaining. This last weekend was our fourth weekend so we are beginning to identify guys who are at least showing up to practice all the time. We are still struggling for numbers and I know track just ended so I am hoping those kids come out next weekend. It is going to be an ongoing process in regards to increasing our numbers.

• What lifts has the coaching staff emphasized?

Right now, I am treating it like they have not partaken in a lot of weight lifting, so we have started out with the basics. We have emphasized basic squats, power cleans and proper bench technique as those are the three big lifts. I have always emphasized my teams work on those lifts and we have also done a lot of footwork and agility drills. Whenever we can use the field, we have zoned in on those drills.

• How has the team’s work ethic been?

The players that have participated have been great. All the kids on the field have been outstanding and have done whatever we have asked them to do. They have put in a great effort in practice and have had great attitudes during every drill. We have been extremely impressed with what they have done and we just need more kids to show up.

• How much progress has the team made since the first practice?

It is tough at this point in the year because we can only practice once a week, so we have not made much progress. That is to be expected, but we are trying to get the kids not currently in Spring sports to come out. Much of our progress will come in the summer, as June is going to be a big month for us. That is when we will make our gains, so right now I want the players focused on school and doing the best they can academically. We are just trying to get the players acclimated to what we are all about until the calendar strikes June.

• What will the Scorpions look to accomplish in June?

I think our main point is getting the players to buy into the fact that practice is three days every week. We are going to get stronger and hopefully we will get faster. We will look to install a lot of our passing game and defense, so if we can have that accomplished in June then we will be well on our way.

• Have any players impressed you and the staff so far?

We have not had a whole lot of guys out but obviously the standouts from last year have been impressive. Linebacker Micha Johnson and running back Jackson Coughlin have each done a solid job along with a couple of linemen. I know Micha and Jackson earned all-regional honors last season and those two have done a great job at leading the team. Those two have consistently shown up and have tried to take bigger leadership roles than last season.

• How have the seniors who have shown up fared?

They have been great for us. When I get up to Sedona full time, we will partake in a lot more senior leadership activities
as far as what I expect out of them moving forward. The seniors have been extremely eager to do whatever we have asked.

The Scorpions’ football season begins on Friday, Aug. 23, when the Scorpions scrimmage Kingman Academy at home. Sedona’s regular season begins on Friday, Aug. 30, when the Scorpions host Kingman. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.