The Sedona Red Rock High School boys soccer team improved daily during the 2010-2011 campaign and eventually qualified for the state playoffs after missing them entirely in 2009-2010.

Head Coach Cindy Hauserman, who guided the Scorpions to a 7-10 overall record and a state tournament berth in her first season at the helm, is looking for positive things to happen once again this season.

“It’s just starting to develop before my eyes. We have a lot of seniors, but not a lot of returners. We might be OK though; our goal is to make state,” Hauserman said.

The Scorpions have 10 seniors who made the varsity squad this winter. Seniors Jose Saucedo and Kyle DeTar are the only two returners, however, in the group.

“We have a lot of skill this year. Even in a new division our goal is getting to the state playoffs, which we definitely can achieve,” DeTar said.

Other top players making the team this season include juniors Ryan Ramirez, Daniel Bunker, Josh Serin, Cesar Pedroza and senior Seth Giorgianni.

“This Sedona soccer season is going to be phenomenal this year as long as we find our team chemistry and support from our fans,” Ramirez said. “With a younger squad we will need to have encouragement and wisdom from our veterans to tap into the awesome potential I know this team has.”

Sedona lost to Florence High School in the first round of the 1A-3A conference state playoffs in February, 1-0. Florence eventually went on to play for a state championship, but lost to the No. 1-seeded Northwest Christian High School in the state finals, 2-0.

The Scorpions will have all new worries this season, having been placed in Division III this season by the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s new alignment plan.

Sedona’s schedule is brutal, opening with Coconino High School at home Wednesday, Nov. 30. Sedona welcomes Page High School on Tuesday, Dec. 6, before heading to the Arizona Lutheran Invitational, which begins Friday, Dec. 9, in Phoenix.

“Even though we have a tougher schedule this season, our goal is to be one of the top three teams in our division this season, and I think we can do it,” Hauserman said.