The football team at Sedona Red Rock High School has not experienced a great deal of success in recent years. Over the last three seasons, the Scorpions have gone 6-24.
Naturally, seniors like Jackson Coughlin and Tama Scharnhorst, who have played at SRRHS since they were freshmen, are hoping that 2019 is different.
Bob Young is the third head coach that the four-year seniors have played under. While Young is in his inaugural year with the Scorpions, he previously compiled a fantastic record at Mingus Union High School over 30 years running that program. While Sedona has yet to play a game under Young, the offseason program under him has given reason to believe that there might be light at the end of the tunnel.
“We definitely seem a lot more prepared,” Scharnhorst said. “Coach Young is a great coach. He has us working harder than we ever worked before — on the field and in the weight room. He knows what he’s doing, and he knows how to prepare for every team.”
The 30 years of immense success at Mingus give Young a well deserved great reputation in the area. He did not join the Scorpions alone, though.
Young brought with him a coaching staff that includes Tim McKeever, Phil Cromer, Troy Daniels and Neil Dixon. The depth in the coaching staff is a huge step forward, something the players have noticed.
“We’ve got an offensive line coach, a defensive line coach,” junior lineman Lee Loughnane said. “I think we’re more coordinated and put together. We know the plays. The coaching staff has really helped us.”
The coaching staff is, of course, only part of what will lead to a reversal of fortunes for the Scorpions. To win on the field, they’ll need a much deeper roster than they’ve had in recent years. The kids that do show up also need to be more committed. Fortunately, through the offseason program, the veteran players have seen such a shift.
“Last year, we didn’t have as many guys show up,” said Scharnhorst. “It just wasn’t as committed. But this year, a lot of these guys haven’t missed one practice, or maybe missed like one because they were on vacation.”
Of course, the players on Sedona’s team want to experience a great season on the field with far more wins than losses. Beyond the wins and losses, though, the players on this team want this season to represent a significant change for the team’s fortunes going forward.
“I hope that this is the cultural switch for Sedona,” Coughlin said. “I hope we come together as a group and have a bond as a team, not be selfish. We all play for each other, not just individually. I hope we come out and have a good season together.”
Michael Dixon can be reached at 282-7795, Ext. 131, or e-mail to mdixon@larsonnewspapers.com
