The first game action of the fall for the Camp Verde High School football team got off the field before the lights turned on.
The Cowboys’ final preseason test Friday, Aug. 14, may be just as short.
Seniors Jaysen Leonard and Trevor Heyer each had two touchdowns as White defeated Blue, 28-7, in the Cowboys’ intrasquad scrimmage Friday, Aug. 7.
CVHS will hold its preseason scrimmage Aug. 14 against larger Payson High School after original opponent Tonopah Valley High School pulled out, citing several injuries and lower total numbers on its roster than anticipated, according to Cowboys head coach Steve Darby.
“We know their coaches and I’ve heard them in the conversation for preseason top 10 team,” Darby said of the Phoenix. “Payson couldn’t find anyone to scrimmage, initially. They were just going to do an intrasquad [game].”
The Longhorns pose the challenge for CVHS, though — not just in their superior depth, as a Division IV school above Camp Verde at Division V, but in a solid defense and skill player set as well as linemen every bit as good as the 10 for the Cowboys, Darby said.
“But that’s what you want,” he said. “It’s always a good challenge to play up to a bigger, more athletic school.”
Quickness and fresh legs are what Darby is counting on to keep defenses like Payson’s on their heels. But for the Cowboys to get off to a good start, it will take more than the backfield contributions of Heyer, Leonard, senior Dakota Brueland and sophomore Ryan Loza, who has grown three inches taller and added 35 pounds in the weight room, Darby said.
For the full story and more photos, please see the Wednesday, Aug. 12, issue of the Camp Verde Journal.
