Following an early, intense team camp at Blue Ridge High School that ended July 17, new Sedona Red Rock High School head coach John Bradshaw has helmets and pads on the football program already in preparation for a familiar opponent which will kick off a new high school football schedule.

“We crammed four weeks of work into one week,” Bradshaw said after the Scorpions surged back from early defeats in seven-on-seven competitions against Sandra Day O’Connor and Buckeye high schools. “We’re definitely a lot bigger, stronger and further along in the training process than we were. They actually know the defense and I’ve got a lot more kids in.”

Camp Verde High School is not a Division V, Section VII rival for the Scorpions but will nevertheless continue their natural rivalry by opening Friday, Aug. 21, at SRRHS.

“Camp Verde’s going to be a tough game,” he said. “They’ve got a lot of good numbers over there this year.”

As a result of the early rivalry game, Bradshaw chose to forego a team camp the Scorpions would normally be attending this week in California.

“Too much of a distraction in California,” said Jake Christensen, junior center and defensive end. “All football at Blue Ridge.”

For the full story, please see the Wednesday, July 29, issue of the Sedona Red Rock News.