In its fifth year of existence, the Red Rock Youth Football program is finally starting to reveal all the hard work and dedication by its players and coaches.

The Sedona Minors football team began the 2011 season with a solid 12-6 victory Saturday, Sept. 3, over cross-valley rival Camp Verde.

“We’ve never beat them in the five years we’ve been playing them,” Venom Head Coach Todd Saczalski said. “These kids played with so much heart and they’ve worked harder than any group I’ve had.”

Saczalski, who is entering his fifth year coaching in the Red Rock Youth Football organization, is beginning his third year with at the Minors level. He coached two years with the Sedona Mighty Mites before being promoted.

There are 18 players this season for the Sedona Minors, easily one of its biggest teams since the league formed in 2007.

Top players for the Venom are running back Chase Saczalski, who had an impressive 63-yard touchdown run Saturday against Camp Verde.

The Venom have a two-headed monster with Winston Cox and Hayden Bruce at quarterback while Branaghan Cunningham is one of the top cornerbacks on the team.

Jackson Gilmore is one of the top centers at his age level while Hunter Anderson is one of the best lineman for the Venom this season.

Other top players for the Sedona Minors include wide receiver Cooper Barber, defensive tackle Allejandro Medina and tight end Wyatt Ross.

With the 12-6 victory over Camp Verde this past weekend, the Venom improve their record to 1-0 on the season.

Next up, the Sedona Minors will travel to the Prescott Valley Vikings on Saturday, Sept. 10. It is the first of three road games for the Venom this season.

Kickoff is set for 10 a.m.