Yuma High Preview: Focus factor

Trying to rebound from a 2-8 season can be a distraction for a football team.

So can going through a third head coach in three years.

Throw in a 100-year celebration, and there are plenty of things that can keep the players of the Yuma High football team's focus somewhere other than on the field.

But even with a centennial celebration coming up coinciding with an Oct. 31 game against rival Kofa, the Criminals are not letting the distractions overwhelm.

At least, not yet, said head coach Tom Fox.

"These guys have been pretty good with it so far," said Fox, who was quarterbacks coach at Arizona Western last year. "We'll have to keep an eye on it as the season progresses and we get close to those big games. It's a balancing act. I want the guys to understand how important it is, but at the same time realize 'Hey, it's high school football.' They're supposed to enjoy it, it's supposed to be fun."

Junior running back J.C. Baker said even with all the festivities surround 100 years of Yuma High, he and the team is focused on improving off last year's performance, which included a three-week stretch when they were outscored 134-0.

"We are handling like professionals," Baker said. "We are ready to go, ready for the challenges because we're looking to make it back to playoffs. Yuma Criminal football isn't used to going 2-8. I need that region ring on my finger. It's pretty lonely over here."

And while Baker will likely be the starting running back in that quest for a ring, the person handing him the ball remains a mystery.

"Both guys are going to take snaps regardless of who the starter is," Fox said. "They'll both get playing time. I do have a guy who's separating himself, but I'm not prepared to say who it is right now."

Those two guys are junior Donte Jackson and senior Kelili Jackson. And while Fox refused to comment on who was emerging, he did describe each quarterback.

"Donte's athleticism gives us the ability to run and throw the football with him," Fox said. "He has a real good field presence and ability to read a defense. Anticipation is pretty good."

As for Jackson, "he's probably a little more of an accurate passer," Fox said, "more of a pocket-type guy."

Whoever is under center will have four senior receivers to chose from in what Fox calls the biggest strength of the team - depth at the receiving corps with Eric Rivas, Mauricio Towne, Luis Aguiar and James Bellamy snagging passes.

Fox said senior leadership - not just from the receiver position - has helped smooth the transition to the new regime.

"You want to come in and learn the culture and see what has worked and what hasn't" Fox said. "You want to change some things obviously, but you don't want to come in and totally overturn the boat. And that senior group has been pretty phenomenal."

Rivas, who will also play defensive back, said that's just part of being an upperclassman.

"Half the team is seniors and everybody else looks up to us," Rivas said. "We have to be role models for everyone else."

Despite just two wins last year, both wins came in the Gila Valley Region, putting the Criminals a win away from the postseason. Fox thinks the team can be just as competitive this year.

"Everybody says we can be competitive talent-wise in the region and have a shot at those Phoenix schools," Fox said. "That's what we're after, but I'm not really sure what to expect when we kickoff with Gila Ridge on the 29th."