Veterans lead KC into football season

The Kirtland Central Broncos have spent countless summer days preparing for the new season.

Under the second-year head coach Tom Adair, the Broncos return about 18 players, nine on offense and nine on defense. Adair said with 27 seniors on the team, veterans will be the driving force.

"We're an experienced team," Adair said. "Our kids have worked really hard in the off season. We're expecting to have an excellent season."

With Farmington and Aztec, qualifiers for last year's state tournament, Bloomfield, a state championship finalist, and Piedra Vista in their district, Kirtland is expecting a dogfight.

Adair said his key players include Ryder Hathaway (Navajo Times 2009 football player of the year), Alex Baudoin and Pat Aspass.

Adair said while summer physical conditioning might help, the team also needs mental conditioning.

"We've got to be mentally tough," he said. "We can't let tribulations that come over, busted plays, we can't let those things take us down. We can't be intimidated by anyone."

Gallup head coach Cyle Batok didn't respond to messages by press time Wednesday.

In Class 3A, the Crownpoint Eagles are looking to use offense to lead them in the tough District 1-3A.

With seven returning starters on offense and eight returning on defense, coach David Burns said it's looking pretty good so far.

"Our strength is our offensive line really, but we need to be able to throw it and catch it," Burns said.

Key players include junior Rene Jones, senior Kenny Smith on offense and junior Ryan Begay on defense.

"We at least set the district championship as our goal," Burns said. "Sometimes we've reached it, sometimes we haven't. We've never been 3A district camps. I think we'll be competitive this year."

The Zuni Thunderbirds are going to be looking toward their fantastic nine this season.

A group of seniors will lead the team to what first-year head coach Joe Claunch said could be a successful season.

Claunch and his assistant Cody Wilson relocated from Haskell Indian Nations University where Claunch was an offensive coordinator for two years.

"There's a group of seniors on this team and they are as athletic and as talented as any players, I believe, in the state," Claunch said. "We play in a very competitive league and what I've been trying to sell the team on, and the guys on, is that making the playoffs and all that kind of stuff are products of something more fundamental, having fun, practicing, being in great condition and team unity."

Claunch said although there are around 30 kids on the varsity team, the team is still very light. He added that getting more students is a challenge.

Aside from the physical needs of the sport, Claunch said the team has the right mentality.

"These kids are from Zuni Pueblo," he said. "They practice pueblo lifestyle. There's no greater team philosophy than that of traditional philosophy they grew up with their entire life.

"Team goals, team philosophy has been very easy," he said. "I think that's what we have going for us."

Coaches at Shiprock, Thoreau and Tohatchi did not reply to messages by press time Wednesday.

In Class 2A, the Ramah Mustangs are looking to build another strong football team. The returns 10 players from last year, mostly sophomores and freshmen.

Fifth-year head coach Danny Daniels said the team has made big improvements.

"We're going to have a strong running game," he said. "We have great, skilled players, a passing attack and running attack.

"There's one team missing from district - Laguna was a powerhouse," he said. 'I think it's up to everyone else."

Ramah is seeing its biggest year with 29 athletes out for the team. Key returnees include sophomore quarterback Tyrell Morgan and sophomore running back Tyrell Daniels.

Danny Daniels said though the team looks good there is always room to improve.

"We're going to have to grow up, correct our mistakes," Daniels said. "We want to be district champs. Individual players have committed themselves in the weight room. We want to be a better team overall, especially mentally."

Having moved down from 3A to 2A, the Newcomb Skyhawks are hoping for another successful season.

Last year Newcomb made headlines as they won the District 1-3A championship and made a tournament appearance.

First-year head coach Gary Thompson said moving down a class should make for a successful season.

"We dropped down a different level that will be beneficial going against other teams," he said. "We lost a lot of kids last year. We got a lot of young kids who haven't played before."

Key returnees include Landon Yazzie, Chris Fatty and Cornelius Tsipai.

Thompson said Skyhawks should develop a running and passing game as the season goes on.

Other Class 2A coaches for Navajo Pine, Navajo Prep, Dulce and Cuba did not respond to messages by press time.

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