After a tough loss to Scottsdale Christian Academy [38-6] last week, the Camp Verde High football team rebounded on the road Thursday, Oct. 15, beating Greyhills Academy, 20-6.
“I’m not sure we played all that well. We got a win, but had mistakes that we need to correct,” Camp Verde Head Coach Luke Steege said.
Usually, all high school games are played Friday nights but when it’s the weekend of the Navajo County Fair in Tuba City, Thursday night it is.
The win improves Camp Verde’s record to 6-2 [1-2, 2A-Central region] overall on the season.
A win also moves the Cowboys to a No. 6 ranking in the 2A conference according to the Arizona Interscholastic Association power point poll which was released Monday, Oct. 19.
Camp Verde squeaked out the victory Friday over Greyhills with two late touchdowns by Deshon Tripp and Jake Spleiss.
The Cowboys led 7-0 going into halftime but Greyhills scored late in the third quarter to make it a 7-6 affair heading into the fourth.
Two touchdowns by Camp Verde in the fourth quarter made everyone on the Cowboy sideline feel a bit better as they put away the Pepto Bismol, along with the Fightin’ Knights’ bid for an upset, 20-6.
With senior quarterback Mike Boler out for the season, Spleiss looked below average at the position Friday, completing two of 11 passes for 15 yards and two interceptions.
Randy Justus was a bit better, completing two of two passes for 17 yards.
The ground game of course was where it was at for Camp Verde, recording 286 yards on the ground.
Spleiss led all rushers for the Cowboys with eight attempts for 87 yards and a touchdown while teammate Ty Wantland had eight carries for 80 yards.
Wantland caught three passes for 26 yards as well but had two fumbles. He made up for those with an 88-yard kickoff return.
Tripp’s touchdown came on one carry for 12 yards.
Tanner Rezzonico had a good game on the ground as well for Camp Verde, carrying the ball 10 times for 68 yards.
Defensively, Justus and Rezzonico led the team in tackles with 14.
ichael Toth had nine while Donovan Kilby and Tucker Rezzonico each had six.
David Stanley and Cameron Stewart each had a sack as well.
“It’s important we have a good week of practice this week and prepare for one of the tougher teams in the state in Valley Christian,” Steege said.
Valley Christian Academy is ranked No. 11 as of Monday but they are 5-1 overall so Camp Verde has a tough game ahead.
The Cowboys will travel to Valley Christian on Friday,
Oct. 23. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Camp Verde will return home for their final regular season game of 2009 against Tempe Preparatory on Friday, Oct. 30.
Kickoff for that game is scheduled for 7 p.m. as well.
Brian Bergner Jr. can be reached at 282-7795, ext. 131, or e-mail bbergner@larsonnewspapers.com
