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Sedona Stingers are as tough as they come
Written by Brian Bergner Jr.   
Monday, 12 September 2011 00:00

It may be the first level of tackle football these kids have ever played, but the Sedona Mighty Mites football team is one of the toughest around.

Zach Goodman, left, and teammate Dylan Anderson mix it up during hitting drills Wednesday,  Sept. 7, while Sedona Mighty Mites football Head Coach Rubin Sandoval looks on.Those who are skeptical can go out and watch these boys practice during the week at Posse Grounds Park.

It may not take one long to notice, but there’s only 12 players out there. It takes 11 to be on the field for games, leaving Stingers Head Coach Ruben Sandoval scratching his head sometimes during practice.

“We don’t have enough kids at the moment. We’re hoping for a few late arrivals. You do things in practice for kids in certain positions, then things happen in a game and you have to move kids around. It’s tough for them,” Sandoval said.

Despite their lack of numbers, the Stingers are 1-1 in the early going of the 2011 season. The Northern Arizona Youth Football League has given the Stingers permission to play with 11 or less if need be, according to Sandoval.

The Stingers went on the road Aug. 27 and came back with a 12-0 victory over a long-standing rival, the Camp Verde Coyotes. Sedona earned the victory with only nine players finishing the game.

That’s right. Nine.

“If we got even two more players, we would be the best team in the league. I know it,” Sandoval said.

Top returners for the Stingers include running back Robby Sheehan, who also plays linebacker for the Sedona Mighty Mites.

2011 Schedule

To view the 2011 Stingers schedule, place your cursor on the "Sports" tab and click on "Sports Schedules," than follow to Red Rock Youth Football. Go to www.redrocknews.com/sports for updated schedules and scores.

Safety Jack Rodarte returns as one of the top defensive prospects for Sedona since Bradley Cox, and quarterback Micha Johnson return as well.

Top newcomers include offensive tackle Tristine Levy, defensive tackle Kaiden Mustafaa and center Cameron Lewis.

“We’ve got some good athletes. There’s more structure to the team this year with my football background, and it seems to be paying off,” Sandoval said.

The Stingers lost to the Chino Valley Cougars on Saturday, Sept. 3, 39-6, but Sandoval believes his team will rebound in its next game Saturday, Sept. 10, when the team travels to play the Prescott Blues.

Kickoff is set for 10 a.m.

Last Updated on Friday, 09 September 2011 10:46
 

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