Jerry Rhoades has coached the Camp Verde High School varsity football team for five games. Which means the “interim” coach has been head man on the sideline more than the man he’s standing in for, Steve Darby, who was suspended Sept. 13 for unspecified reasons. Neither Darby nor Camp Verde Unified School District officials have commented on the situation.
Rhoades, like most, says he’s not privy to what’s going on. “I heard from a couple of people that [Darby’s] portion of the [school] board meeting was canceled.”
When it was suggested that with just two games remaining, it’s likely he would be coaching through the end of the season, Rhoades said, “That’s kind of what I’m thinking; it’s probably a moot point.”
Especially given that the team has recovered from the mid-season change and begun to find its rhythm, winning its second straight game, 21-0, over Parker High School, Friday, Oct. 14.
“We’re definitely coming on; we’ve turned the corner,” he said. “We talked about that last week. I told them that the [Parker] game was a turning point in our season with me being your coach and putting the past behind us.”
The win over the Broncs was the Cowboys’ second consecutive, and boosted their record to 3-5, including an early-season forfeit when Arete Prep was unable to field a team.
It was also the second straight shutout, coming on the heels of Camp Verde’s 39-0 home win over Mohave Accelerated.
“The defense struggled early, but stepped up and really played well,” Rhoades said. “They moved the ball on us, but we were able to get it back.”
The Broncs drove twice into the red zone in the first half, but the Cowboys forced turnovers on both drives. They had two additional takeaways in the first half, according to the coach.
“It was a very tough game, as we thought it would be. It was 0-0 at halftime,” he said. “We told our kids all week long that it would come down to which team wanted it more. We reiterated that at halftime.”
The reminder worked, as the Cowboys scored on the first possession of the second half.
The defense then forced a Parker punt, and Camp Verde scored on its ensuing possession.
“At that point, it was over,” Rhoades said.
His team would add a final touchdown.
All three scores were via passes from junior quarterback Payton Sarkesian — two went to senior wide receiver Carson Zale and the other to junior running back Ryan Loza.
The Cowboys close out the season with a pair of home games: Gilbert Christian on Friday, Oct. 21, and Sedona Red Rock High School on Friday, Oct. 28.
The Cowboys’ defense will be tested against Gilbert Christian, according to Rhoades.
“They’re not very big, but they’re pretty fast and throw the ball all over the field,” he said. “I don’t think they can run the ball on us, but they’ll make us defend from sideline to sideline.”
The key will be how well the Cowboys’ secondary plays zone defense, he said.
“We have to keep their speed in front of us, then close on the ball.”
Camp Verde’s offense will try to control the clock and keep the Knights off the field.
“We hope we can grind it out right at them,” Rhoades said. “We have to run it consistently…. We don’t want to get into a shoot-out with them.”
