Yuma Catholic football: Strong Foundation

Last season was supposed to be a rebuilding year. Yuma Catholic's record-setting quarterback had just graduated and the team was without incumbents at most of its positions.

The Shamrocks, by most accounts, were without expectations. And in that environment, they thrived.

Now Yuma Catholic is coming off its most successful season in school history: A 10-3 overall finish, 2A West Region Champions and semifinalists in the state playoffs. But that hasn't been enough to satisfy the Shamrocks' appetite.

This year they want to go farther.

“We saw how many mistakes we made and we have a lot to learn,” said Yuma Catholic lineman Matt Osuna, referring to the team's semifinal loss to Willcox. “YC won't ever get to the next level until we get to the big game — the state championship. We have to get there if we're going to go anywhere.”

Just like last season, the Shamrocks will be without their main offensive threat, running back Ed Harris.

During his senior year, Harris led the Shamrocks with 1,928 yards last season and 31 touchdowns. His play earned him a scholarship to Chapman College in Orange County, Calif., where he's playing football and running track.

Just like last season though, YC coach Rhett Stallworth doesn't think there will be any problems filling the hole left by Harris.

“I just think that we have a lot of hungry kids out there,” Stallworth said. “They got as far as they did last year. I think that they're all looking for that opportunity, wherever it may come.”

One of those players, looking for every opportunity, is Julian Higuera. A utility player, Higuera filled in at wide receiver, running back and quarterback last season while playing as the No. 1 corner on YC's defense.

Another will be Tommy Pistone, last season's starting quarterback who has had as many battles with injuries as he had with opposing linebackers. He suffered two knee injuries last year, the latter of which ended his season in football and in basketball.

It was on the last play of the first half against No. 1-ranked Phoenix-Northwest Christian. Pistone booted to the right on what he described as “a broken up running play” and, after scampering for 10 yards, was cut to the ground.

Pistone said that “he wasn't smart enough” to run toward the sideline, but Stallworth said that he couldn't fault the quarterback for playing aggressively.

“It's a catch-22,” Stallworth said. “You don't want to see a guy go out on a play like that, where you're running around for no reason. But I can't take that away from him because he's fighting to get extra yards.”

After spending the past six months rehabbing, Pistone said his knee is stronger than ever and hopes to avoid any injuries during the coming year.

“I just knew this would make me better,” he said. “It was pretty tough (to be on the sidelines) … I felt like I could have done my part to help my team out. You just have to hope that the guys in front of you can do their job.”

But before the team can get to the playoffs they'll have to get past Kofa, which dealt the Shamrocks their first loss last year. YC had little trouble rebounding from the loss as they went on to win six straight. This year, they hope to get that streak started a little earlier in the teams' fourth overall meeting to start the season.

“Last year, we didn't play that well (against Kofa),” Osuna said. “We're going to get ‘em back and beat them really good this time.”

Matt Maxson can be reached at mmaxson@yumasun.com or 539-6880.