Camp Verde High School head football coach Steve Darby believes, in his fourth season, he finally has the team and the schedule to succeed.
Buoyed by a slight edge in home games and the returns of junior Kevin Oothoudt and senior Carson Zale, the Cowboys look to challenge for their first Central Region title since leaving the 2A Conference in 2011.
So confident is Darby in them, his 40 other players and a nine-game schedule that he called “unwelcome” a week-three bye created when Arete Preparatory Academy — CVHS’ Friday, Sept. 9, opponent — canceled its football program last week.
“We did find a school on the New Mexico border in a similar situation and are negotiating a game with them,” Darby said. “We will have a better idea of our abilities … with our season opener at Chino Valley.”
Barring any more injuries Friday, Aug. 26, like those that have been plaguing the CVHS offensive line, junior Payton Sarkesian should have it healthy against top 10 opponent Scottsdale Christian Academy when he starts his second straight home opener at quarterback.
His backups are senior Trey Terry and junior varsity signal-caller Dominic Bruno-Moore, who also dedicated himself during the summer to being the starting varsity placekicker — to the point that extra-point attempts “should be automatic and field goals are not out of the question,” Darby said.
“We have long struggled in our kicking game, although this year we feel things have changed,” he added. “There could be times when we play Trey and rotate Payton to receiver.”
Where he will be flanking junior transfer Matthew Newtown, sophomore Alec Moore, senior Cutter Sterrett or Zale, a starter at wide receiver as a sophomore before moving away for his junior year.
“Although we graduated all our starting wide receivers from last year,” Darby said, “[t]his should give us a solid receiver core.”
Sarkesian and Terry will also spearhead defensive efforts at hybrid linebacker positions Darby calls the “Rocket” and the “Bandit,” respectively.
“These hybrid linebacker positions are responsible for run stop and pass protection,” Darby said.
Coming off a season in which he missed his final three games, Oothoudt looks to see the majority of time at the slotback position this fall, along with junior Ryan Loza.
“These guys will see many balls thrown their way as well,” Darby said. “We have some real playmakers in kids like Sarkesian, Loza, Zale and others.”
Oothoudt has the inside track to start at two other positions — free safety and punter, where another junior and his replacement last season, Mikey Salas, captured all-State honors.
“Both attended offseason kicking camps and have been consistently punting in the 40-yard-plus range,” Darby said. “Kevin has proven himself to be just as good.”
Loza is the anchor of the linebacker corps, supported by two seniors, Darby added — Oscar Berrelez and 225-pound former defensive end Reyes Herrera.
“With Reyes at fullback and a big, yet unproven, line in front of him, we may have a successful power game,” Darby said. “It just gives us another weapon to attack a defense. We will never abandon our speed game, which includes options and short passes to move the ball.”
Salas, 300-pound senior Richard Benson, 267-pound senior Jesus Curiel and 264-pound junior Tristyn Dill — a Bradshaw Mountain High School transfer — form the bulk of the experienced beef on both sides of the ball.
“We are a fairly young team with very few returning seniors,” Darby said. “The strength of our team seems to lie with the big junior class.
“These guys have been asked to start varsity as young as freshmen and have gained a good deal of experience in the process.”
Freshmen athletes like Kale Cook will push for playing time at quarterback from junior varsity, along with players in other skill positions like junior running back Tyree Leonard.
“As we ramp up for our first game … it should be another exciting season.”
For more photos and the Cowboys’ full varsity fall schedule, please see the Wednesday, Aug. 24, issues of the Camp Verde Journal and Cottonwood Journal Extra.
