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| Tombstone High School football leveling the playing field |
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| Written by Mike Rabin |
| Thursday, 15 September 2011 04:14 |
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The new $1.8 million sports facilities will finally be under way at Tombstone High School after construction loans were approved last month. According to Principal Robert Devere, the developer has started some legwork, but most of the construction will begin this October. “They will work on all the athletic facilities at once and should be finished by the end of the school year,” Devere said. Football facilities will be concentrated as more of a priority with plans on adding new goal posts, lights, bleachers, scoreboards, bathroom facilities and a snack bar. There will be a NCAA track built around the football field as well. Devere said the developer also plans to build baseball and softball fields along with tennis courts in front of the school.
The Tombstone Yellow Jackets football team now plays its home games at the old high school. They have already played their first three games away. The team has a new look this year according to Assistant Head Coach Joe Thomas. After losing their season opener, the underdog Yellow Jackets found themselves down 12-0 early against Bisbee. “We were down quick and your typical Tombstone team in the past five years would just roll over, but we stepped it up,” Thomas said. Led by the newly acquired transfer quarterback, Anthony Prestly, the Yellow Jackets fought back and steam-rolled Bisbee 44-20. Prestly threw for 171 yards and four touchdowns in the victory. “Everybody is tired of hearing Tombstone is nothing and that we’re the underdog all the time,” Prestly said. “We think we’re the better team going into every game.” In what used to be a one dimensional football team, Prestly’s ability to throw the ball has made the offense more balanced and harder for defenses to cover. “Teams would just put eight (players) in the box against us and stop the veer,” Thomas said. “When the defense respects the pass, it opens up the run, and we have some good running backs.” A more balanced offense has led Thomas to believe that the team is capable of an eight-win season. “I’m not expecting anything less than .500 this year,” Thomas said. One issue that could stand in the way of achieving this is the health of the players. A major weakness of the Yellow Jackets is depth as there are only about 15 varsity players on the roster. Thomas said that the first group is pretty good, but the team will need to develop some backups over the season if they are going to be contenders. This past Friday night, the San Manuel Miners defeated the Yellow Jackets 48-14. Tombstone now finds themselves in a bind starting the season with a 1-2 record. “These kids have a lot of heart and are tired of losing,” Thomas said. “They are ready to play.” Prestly and the Yellow Jackets will face Wilcox today (Sept. 16 ) for its first home game of the season. 
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