Sedona Red Rock High School’s football team ready to sting in its second year back on the field 

On Friday, Aug. 21, at 7 p.m. the reborn Scorpions football team kicks off its second year back at Sedona Red Rock High School with eight-man football in the 1A North against the Centurions of Cicero Preparatory Academy/North Phoenix Preparatory Academy.

“The concession stand will be open and admission is FREE FOR EVERYONE,” the school posted to social media.

“We got a group of warriors right here,” Head Coach Tony Hauserman said. “We may not have enough of them at the moment — we’d like twice as many — but the ones that we have are hardworking, dedicated, tough warriors that are going to play some great football.”

The team enters the season more experienced after having its first season in six years in 2025, however it is still hunting for its first win after going 0-8 last season, and the roster size will again be a challenge.

“I would love to be able to go through an entire season without having to forfeit any games due to lack of players,” Hauserman said. “Not including the ones that aren’t in here because they’re just now joining the team, and there’s going to be 10 practices before they can play.”

Mateo Tenbrink, a junior, will be taking a step back on the playing field and is the Scorpions’ new quarterback after playing center and running back in 2025.

“I feel more comfortable as a quarterback than center. I used to play with my dad a lot as a quarterback. I’ve thrown a lot with my dad. My uncle, [Eddie Chavez], used to play at the University of Southern California as a fullback, and my whole family’s kind of a football family.”

One of Tenbrink’s goals for this season is to evolve the offense to increase the Scorpions’ aerial assault and carry out more passing plays from 2025’s focus on the running game.

“I like the Sluggo — that’s a slant-and-go [play]. And I like all of our 90 plays, they’re more pass plays,” Tenbrink said.

“But I feel pretty confident that we can beat [the Centurions] this year,” Tenbrink said.

Standing on the line of scrimmage in front of Tenbrink will be senior Bruno Garcia taking over as center in his first year on the team.

“What brought me out was the amount of credibility it had last year, and how the season went last year, how people had fun, and how they built as a team for the school, and with the gathering of friends and different teamwork skills that I can have through football that I haven’t had through work,” he said.

Keldon Cain, a senior, is back for another season as running back, and is aiming to rack up more rushing yards.

“We’ve been mainly running offense, but with Mateo practicing a lot more passing plays, I feel like we’ll be a lot more aggressive on that component as well,” he said.

“I want to get a touchdown with my brother Kody [Cain] as well,” Keldon Cain said. “He’s a freshman this year, and it would be really fun to try and get him a touchdown or do some kind of like reverse play with him. He’s going to be a wide receiver this year, so that would be really amazing to see as well.”

Cain added that he is excited for the season opener against the Centurions seeing a “pretty event matchup,” and that he is ready for the rest of the season even with a small player roster.

“This program isn’t going to grow unless someone steps up to plant the seeds, and I feel like us putting in the work now just makes it easier for future students and athletes to come into Red Rock and want to be a part of the [Scorpions] football team,” Cain said.

“We want to bring the community together with our kids and with the school district, and bring everyone together as a community,” Hauserman said. “You go to these other small towns, and Friday nights are a big deal — the retirees come out, people with kids that don’t play come out. We have music going, and it’s just a way to bring everybody together in support of our kids and our community.”

Visit scorpionboosterclub.com for more information.

Scorpions Football 2026 roster

■ Mateo Tenbrink, quarterback

■ Vaycion Lily, tight end

■ Gerardo Romero, guard

■ Keldon Cain, slot back

■ Kody Cain, slot back

■ Ruben Romero, wide receiver

■ Christian Dominguez, center

■ Bruno Garcia, guard

■ Eric Perez Leon, fullback

■ Malaki Schumacher, tight end

■ Juan Mejia, guard

Coaching staff

■ Head Coach Tony Hauserman

■ Defensive coordinator Brian Beinfest

■ Offensive and defensive line coach Galen Bessette

■ Wide outs and DB’s coach Bailey Ehrlich

Home Game Schedule

■ Friday, Aug. 21, at 7 p.m. vs. Cicero Prep/North Phoenix Prep

■ Friday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. vs. Mayer

■ Friday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m. vs. Salome

■ Friday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. vs. Mogollon

■Friday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. vs. Valley Lutheran