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Vandals Trounce Willcox in Football Opener
The combination of seventeen returning starters, a year’s experience under head coach Brandon Powell, and dedication and commitment to work hard during the offseason resulted in the Miami football team running roughshod in their season opener, defeating host Willcox, 68 – 6.
“Overall we played pretty well,” Powell said in an email to CopperTownNews.com. “But as we broke down film with the team, we noticed a lot of little things we can improve on.”
That seems hard to believe, especially after a 62-point victory, but that just shows the progress the Vandals have made since last season, where victories were hard to come by. Now, they aren’t totally satisfied even in a lopsided win continue to believe there is room for improvement.
“Teams will get tougher as we go so we need to get those things fixed soon,” Powell said.
That type of effort will benefit the team as the season progresses.
The Vandals racked up 596 of offense last Friday night, thanks in part to the return of a number of offensive starters from last year.
“We have already added two more phase to the offense this year that we didn’t get in last season,” Powell said. “We are about to add another phase.”
The ability to continue to add new formations and plays will help keep opposing teams from getting a good scouting report on Miami.
But at this point it appears if the Vandals just worry about performing their best, it’ll be up to other teams on their schedule to find a way to stop them.
The Vandals will enjoy a bye this week and then head off on the road again to face San Manuel on September 4. That game is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Tigers Short on Experience
The Globe football team enters Friday night’s season opener at St. Johns with only three returning starters from a year ago.
Ben Burgener, Angel Curiel, and Nic Jost are the three returning players who were two-way starters in 2014.
Head coach Al O’Campo doesn’t appear phased by the Tigers’ lack of experience, instead he’s focused on finding players who can make an impact this season.
Jonathan Martinez, Triska Smith and Nick Silva are among those with varsity experience who O’Campo believes can make big contributions in 2015.
Newcomers Chris Herrera, Isaac Herrera, JJ Hernandez, Marco Lopez, Zackery Penrod, Daniel Ruiz, Anthony Stewart, Steven Tyler, Neil Hubilla, Austin Skaggs, and Austin Melser also will have the opportunity to be difference makers.
O’Campo was asked what it will take from week-to-week for his team to be successful.
“We must stay injury free, continue to improve on our skills and fundamentals, and get some valuable experience,” he responded.
The Tigers will be looking for their first season-opening victory since 2012 on Friday at St. Johns. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Braves Shutout in Season-Opening Loss
The San Carlos football team opened its 2015 season at Tanque Verde last Friday without scoring a point in a 20 – 0 loss.
The Hawks scored in three of the game’s four quarters, including one touchdown in each of the first two quarters to take a 14 – 0 lead at halftime.
Tanque Verde added a fourth quarter touchdown after the teams combined for a scoreless third quarter.
The Braves will host Benjamin Franklin in their home opener this Friday with both teams vying for their first win of the season. The Chargers enter the game looking for their first win under new head coach Dave Jefferies after losing at Tonopah Valley last week, 28 – 24.
Kickoff for Friday’s game is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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