Camp Verde stomps on Scorpions

The Camp Verde High School football team made it look easy Friday, Sept. 10, destroying visiting rival Sedona Red Rock High School in the process, 50-14.

With only 14 players suited up to play on the Scorpions’ sideline, the Cowboys made quick work of Sedona, scoring on their first two possessions to make it 13-0 before anyone in the stands could get a hot dog and take their seats.

Longtime Camp Verde Head Coach Luke Steege wasn’t completely pleased, however, with Friday night’s effort.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do. We need to improve a lot. After we scored two quick touchdowns some of the guys let up a bit and didn’t try hard so I ripped into them at halftime,” Steege said.

Steege sees the writing on the wall with a tough region schedule to come over the next two months that will make or break this year’s version of Cowboy football.

With the victory, the Cowboys improve to 2-1 [0-0, 2A Central] overall on the season and are now 2-0 at home in 2010.

Despite Steege’s worries and Camp Verde’s imperfections, the Cowboys still ran for over 400 yards on the ground.

Camp Verde was led by junior Kody Rayburn who had nine carries for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Rayburn also had one catch for 18 yards.

Senior Tanner Rezzonico had 11 carries for 102 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Cowboys run away with it in the second quarter.

Up 13-0 after one quarter of play, Camp Verde scored three touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 31-6 lead at halftime.

The only score Sedona managed in the first half was a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown by Ryan Ramirez.

Camp Verde quarterback Jake Spleiss completed only two of seven passes for 35 yards with two interceptions. Spleiss ran 10 times for 67 yards and a touchdown.

Camp Verde scored three more touchdowns in the second half, while allowing only one for Sedona in the 50-14 final.

Junior Chris Zellner led the Cowboys on defense with 14 tackles while Joe Wilson and Gavin Collins each had 13. Paul Davis and Deshon Tripp each had 11.

Defensive tackle Andy Minner had only four tackles, but had two sacks against Sedona, a season-high for the junior.

The Cowboys had three interceptions as well on defense with Tripp, Tyler Ward and Matt Miller each getting one.

“Our offensive line is improving and our kids are learning and I guess right now, that’s all I can ask for. We are fast and physical up front on defense too, so we will continue to improve on everything we can,” Steege said.

Next up, the Cowboys will travel to Arizona Lutheran Academy on Friday, Sept. 17, with a kickoff time scheduled for 7 p.m.

There might not be an easy game left on the schedule for Camp Verde this season.

The 2A Central region is stacked this year with Valley Christian Academy, Northwest Christian Academy and Scottsdale Christian Academy all receiving votes for the top team in the state. Each is ranked in the top five in the 2A conference this season.