Shamrocks pursuing gold in 2022, aiming to bring home another state title

Yuma Catholic looking to be crowned state champions for first time since 2014

YUMA, Ariz., (KYMA, KECY) - In a program that sets the bar high, with expectations through the roof each season - eight years could feel like an eternity without lifting the trophy in the final game.

Well, that is the feeling within one of the most prestigious and tradition-based football programs in the desert southwest - all part of the "Shamrock Way" inside the walls of Yuma Catholic High School.

But it's a turn of a new leaf for the Shamrocks in 2022. A refocused goal of not reliving the past.

"It's time to make our own legacy," said Junior Jaxson Jones. "Last year and year's before that I heard people would always try to ride on the last year's team. This year, we're trying to focus on our own thing. Have our own goals and be our own people."

While it's a new goal and a new vision, it still does not stray away from the program's rich history - one that has been crowned state champions three times in the last decade (2011, 2013, 2014).

So as this group straps the helmets back on, eyes are on the prize and the focus has shifted back to the ultimate goal of stepping on the championship door once again.

The 2021 season ended in heartbreaking fashion - scoring only three points in the 3A state title game, as they watched their opponent Snowflake celebrate.

Only three points for a team that averaged 44 points per game throughout the year.

That also marking the second straight, and three out of four years losing in the title game.

Soon after that devastating loss in November, the program also had to say goodbye to key pieces of the puzzle on both sides of the ball, ultimately leaving that fire burning inside to get back and win big for the entire Shamrock community.

"Whether it's one point or whatever, either way we lost," said Senior quarterback Richard Stallworth. "I have to put it in these Juniors' heads that maybe they don't have another chance to go to the state title. Maybe this is our last year. Either way, I have a bad taste in my mouth right now and I want to go back in there."

So now that bitter taste is aimed to turn sweet just one year later.

“We’ve won three state titles, and we’ve played in seven. We’ve lost a couple of close ones here recently, so we know what the formula is," said Head Coach Rhett Stallworth. "It just comes down to execution and paying attention to the little things. The little details add up.”

And those little details will be heightened even more after the program was lifted to a higher level of competition, from 3A to 4A. Yet it's the commitment and following the Yuma Catholic way that can still push them to the mountaintop.

"It’s a commitment. It’s not easy," added Rhett Stallworth. "A lot of people want to be a part of it but they have to understand the process and you can’t skip the line. We do put a lot of pressure on them but it’s nothing they can’t handle because they came up in the system that way.”

And it’s a system that has been mastered. 

All starting under center with the dynamic father-son, head coach-quarterback tandem between Rhett and Richard stallworth. 

Richard posting historic numbers in the 2021 season with 4,863 passing yards and 67 touchdowns - now on his way to surpassing prestigious company in school history.

Entering the 2022 season just under 2,000 yards away from breaking the school record and 22 passing touchdowns from the state record. 

But after losing three starting receivers, it’s the leadership and a family mentality that holds an immense weight in the quarterback's senior year.

“I’m definitely going to have my head forward and put this team before me," said Stallworth. "No matter if a guy’s down, we’re not going to leave a man behind. I definitely learned that family comes first before anything, and these guys are really my family.”

That shamrock family representing an unbreakable bond. one that acts as a key ingredient to the program’s success. 

“Family. We’re all a family here and we all like to work together," said Senior Jarred Marquez. "We all help each other out and wherever we need the help, we got each other’s back.”

Still, it’s a bond that needs to create its own special mark, all in hopes of re-entering the pinnacle of high school football in Arizona.

“Being a part of this family is something that I’m going to cherish forever," added Stallworth. "When you leave and you don’t get to suit up with the guys, you’re gonna be sad and wish you had those days back.”

After a round of conditioning to end practice on a hot August day, Rhett STallworth provided a crucial message to the team - one that he hopes to resonate with both the returners and young faces.

"You cannot be afraid to fail out here. We gotta fail out here so we don't fail in games. So when the first time you do get pushed, you don't crumble... It all comes down to who trained harder? Who's mentally tougher? Who's executing what they were taught to do? Who's more disciplined? And that's always been us. You can't follow the coat tails of the team's that have been before you. This is your team and your time right now. You seniors you do not get another chance. You don't get next year. So take this year and run with it."

So as the Rocks take the field in their home opener against Benjamin Franklin, they have the message: to write their own Shamrock story.