Banged up YC squad faces Willcox with trip to state finals on the line

Rhett Stallworth wasn't talking about a game Thursday, he was talking about practice. And it's been a bad week of those for the Yuma Catholic coach.
 
Two of the Shamrocks key offensive players suffered injuries and Thursday's practice was lackluster to the point that Stallworth sent his team home 45 minutes early.
 
"We just weren't very sharp," Stallworth said. "Sometimes you've got to walk away from a practice rather than just practicing poorly."
 
It's a bad sign for the Shamrocks (10-2, 2A West Champions) that head up to Phoenix today to play Willcox (10-2, 2A East Champions) in the semifinals of the 2A State Playoffs at North Canyon.
 
"Our chances are great (against Willcox) if we show up," Stallworth said. "We're just not good enough to take practices off."
 
Making matters more difficult for Stallworth, senior running back Ed Harris didn't practice on Tuesday and Wednesday due to a pulled hamstring, which he suffered on the last play of last Friday's quarterfinal game against Tucson-Pusch Ridge, a 20-yard touchdown.
 
After the game it was believed that Harris had only suffered from cramps. Stallworth said at that time, given the team's spat of injuries, he believed Harris' injury may be more severe.
 
Harris has rushed for 1,852 yards this season, including 513 yards and seven touchdowns in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
 
According to Stallworth, Harris only practiced on Thursday and Friday and was running at "three-quarters speed."
 
Piling onto the injured list is junior quarterback Julian Higuera, who suffered an injury to his ankle Thursday, but was still able to practice with the first offense.
 
Higuera took over at quarterback on Oct. 16, replacing the injured Tommy Pistone, during Yuma Catholic's 26-21 loss to Phoenix-Northwest Christian. His backup is currently sophomore Matt Koppinger, a sophomore wide receiver, who has taken a few snaps after the Shamrocks built significant leads.
 
When asked if there was a backup plan if Higuera or Harris couldn't play, Stallworth's answer was simple.
 
"We've got no backup plan," he said. "We're going to throw everything or else we've got no chance."
 
Few would dispute that sentiment. Willcox earned its berth to the semifinals by defeating top-seeded Phoenix-Northwest Christian in the second round.
 
If Yuma Catholic wins it will enter territory uncharted by area schools over the past four decades. According to the AIA, the last Yuma-area football team to play for a state title was Antelope in 1966, when the Rams lost to Round Valley 32-6.
 
The year prior Yuma High lost to Tucson in the 5A title game, 27-6. The Criminals lost by a similar score to Mesa in 1960.
 
The Cowboys were led by running back Rudy Verdugo who rushed for 247 yards and two first-quarter touchdowns against the Crusaders.
 
"Rudy’s been running the ball and carrying the load offensively," Willcox coach Jim Hughes said. "There are times when he can run without a hole. Much like Ed Harris, just give them a crease and they’re gone."
 
Stallworth said that he's emphasized run defense to his team this week and is confident in their ability to shut down Willcox's rushing attack. But Stallworth admitted that he didn't know how his players would perform, which made the third-year coach a bit unnerved.
 
"Unfortunately as a coach, your mental health is in the hands of 14- and 15-year-olds," Stallworth said. "But the day before a game seems to heal a lot of people and get everything in order."