With only five seniors on the roster, the Camp Verde team that takes the field in the fall of 2020 should be quite similar to 2021’s team. But while the Cowboys are young, they’re also experienced and hoping that experience translates to better on-field success.
Over the last two seasons, Camp Verde’s team has been composed of largely underclassmen. And while the Cowboys have had some good moments, they’ve gone 7-13 in that stretch. With most of those players now upperclassmen, the Cowboys have liked the look of the team that’s taken the field through the practices.
“It’s looking good — I’m actuallyexcited for the season and looking forward to it,” senior Peyton Kelley said. “Everyone back from last year and knowing the plays is going to help us, too.”
Kelley was the second leading rusher for Camp Verde last year, rushing for 671 yards. His five rushing touchdowns were tied for second on the team. Junior Garrett Dulaney paced the Cowboys in both categories last year, rushing for 717 yards and seven touchdowns. Also returning are juniors Jacob Oothoudt [499 yards, five touchdowns] and Kayden Boggess [427 yards, one touchdown].
Like they did last year, Dulaney and Oothoudt figure to split time at quarterback in coach Rick Walsworth’s run-heavy, option offense.
Experienced teams almost always take the win in high school football. The experience edge figures to be even more vital this year, with COVID-19 limiting the summer practice schedule.
“It definitely gives us a big advantage,” Oothoudt said. “We have chemistry and have been playing together since our freshman year. I’m relieved. I’ve been waiting on this for a long time.”
Walsworth agreed, expressing his own sense of relief to have a schedule set and the start of the season imminent, given how much in doubt everything was in recent months.
“I think the cloud of uncertainty everyone operated under until only a few weeks ago was the most challenging part,” Coach Walsworth said. “It felt as if we were on a weekly stay-of-execution for football for about three months. Actually being only a few days away from the kids being allowed to play is almost surreal now because we were afraid it would not happen.”
In addition to the top players returning from last year, Walsworth has been impressed with a number of players who he expects to be in big roles this season. This includes defensive backs Bryce Seekins and Wyatt Parker.
A lot of Camp Verde’s youth will also be good in the trenches. Walsworth expects to see sophomores Jakob Evans-Flick, Bruce Gorda, Trent Makinson, Nick Kane and Sam Williams competing for 2-3 offensive line and tight end spots.
The Cowboys are set to open their season on Friday, Oct. 2, against Arizona Lutheran. Their first home game will be the following week on Friday, Oct. 9, against Holbrook, though there will be a JV home game [for which seniors are ineligible] against Tonopah Valley on Wednesday, Oct. 7, and homecoming will come on Friday, Oct. 16, at 6 p.m. against Holbrook. All varsity games — home and road — are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
The season will end on Friday, Nov. 13, with a road game against Veritas Prep, although the Cowboys are hoping that the season will go beyond that.
“A lot of guys are talking about going to the playoffs,” Dulaney said. “A lot of us are thinking that if we’re going to go to the playoffs, it will be our year to do so. It’s probably going to be our best year in a long time. Playoffs are what we want.”
