Cautiously optimistic
Yuma High coach Curt Weber hoping this is the group to turn things around for program
Yuma High coach Curt Weber is a realist when it comes to his team. He has been around long enough to recognize the difficulties for the Criminals to compete in football and across all athletics.
So while he is, as he said, “trying to remain disciplined,” he does have a sense of optimism about the 2017 Yuma High team that he has not felt in recent years.
After the Criminals’ walkthrough practice Thursday, he told his team, “It just would be wonderful for you guys to be the group that turned it (around). You’ll never forget it.”
Weber himself is coming
7 p.m. today, Doan Field
up on the 50th anniversary of an 8-2 team and wants this group to experience the elation he and his teammates shared nearly a halfcentury ago.
A closer look at the Criminals, who open their season tonight at home against Parker:
Key losses
Last season’s entire offense was centered around the skills of Alex Guerra. The all-region wide receiver was converted to quarterback before his senior season in 2016, and the offense made the dramatic switch to a triple-option scheme that ultimately did not pan out, as the Criminals finished the year with a 2-8 record. Even still, Guerra was a favorite of Weber’s and his presence and playmaking ability will be missed. Guerra also had 61 total tackles (10 for loss), five sacks and two interceptions, including the one that sealed Yuma High’s victory over Gila Ridge.
Players to watch
WR/SS
One of the potential playmakers to watch in the entire area is Flores. The allregion selection last year as a sophomore safety has the skillset to be a game-changer on both sides of the ball for the Criminals.
“He’s one of those guys that has a knack, or maybe a feel, for athletics,” Weber said. “He’s just got that innate ability to make plays.”
In the Criminals’ scrimmage against Yuma Catholic earlier this month, he caught a 50-yard touchdown pass and had a 55yard interception return for a touchdown.
As a receiver in 2016, he led the team in yards (432) and receptions (29).
RB/LB
Joya had an outrageous number of tackles in 2016, totaling 136 — 62 more than the next-best on the team. Though Weber said Joya is a better defensive player, he has liked what he has seen from the Criminals’ feature back.
“He’s running with a defensive attitude,” Weber said. “He’s running downhill and he’s looking for people.”
Joya got into action at running back midway through the season, and broke out in that first appearance against Kofa with 118 yards. He wound up averaging 76 yards per game and 5.1 per carry.
QB
Strength is Ignacio’s best attribute, and he has the highest bench-press number of any quarterback Weber has ever coached at 255