Yuma Catholic Football’s Challenging Start at 5A Level
Yuma, Arizona – In 2005, Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on the Gulf Coast, resulting in $125 billion in damages and claiming over 1,800 lives. That same year, “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” topped the box office charts, and I uploaded my first YouTube video.
Back in 2005, the Yuma Catholic football team was just beginning its journey as a 2A school, starting the season 0-2 after losses to Southwest from El Centro, California, and Parker.
Fast forward, and the Shamrocks have achieved an impressive record of 207 wins, two state championships, and 18 playoff appearances, marking them as one of the most successful football programs in state history at that point.
However, 2025 signals a new chapter, bringing fresh coaching challenges and stiffer competition in the 5A league.
Currently led by Vernon Smith, the Shamrocks (0-2) faced difficulties in the opening weeks. They lost to Notre Dame Preparation (1-1) 28-14 before narrowly falling to Imperial County’s top team, 38-30, on Friday.
“It’s tough to pinpoint all the problems,” Smith mentioned after the game. “Holtville executed their running game well. Whether it’s due to losing battles at the line of scrimmage, gaps in our defense, or tackling issues… it’s likely a mix of everything.”
The Shamrocks’ defensive weaknesses showed early on, as the Vikings jumped ahead with a robust ground game led by senior running back Enrique Almas. Holtville relied on two-point conversions, though one missed the mark.
Amidst the tense atmosphere, the Shamrocks rallied. Senior quarterback Nash Ott connected with junior receiver Wesley Porter, then followed up with a 50-yard scoring drive.
During the following drive, senior linebacker Shaun Carter made a pivotal interception, setting up an 85-yard touchdown pass from Ott to junior wideout Brodi Amont.
By halftime, the Shamrocks held a 14-6 lead but remained aware that mistakes could tip the balance at any moment.
In the third quarter, Holtville burst onto the field with renewed energy, completing a long drive for a touchdown, despite another score being called back due to a penalty. They managed to take the advantage with a 60-yard touchdown from senior quarterback Alonso Cuevas to senior wideout Alan Carrillo, which they maintained for the rest of the game.
The Vikings’ ground game continued to pressure the YC defense, especially after an interception set up a 65-yard touchdown run, extending their lead to 16 points with another two-point attempt.
Even in a challenging situation, junior running back Benton Beck provided a spark with a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Ott then connected with Beck for a two-point conversion, cutting the deficit to eight.
Despite attempts to regroup, the Shamrocks struggled to halt Holtville’s momentum with just seven minutes left in the game.
Yuma Catholic did respond with a final touchdown, courtesy of Ott’s short rush to the corner, followed by another two-point pass to Beck. However, their onside kick attempt fell short, marking their first home loss of the regular season since October 2022.
Ott ended the game with two touchdowns, a rushing score, and two interceptions, while accumulating 100 yards alongside six completions for Porter and 133 yards with six completions for Amon.
The rough start for Yuma Catholic may reflect the challenges associated with stepping up to the 5A level, but it could also stem from adjustments with new coaches and integrating a fresh group of players in key roles. The team lost several talented skill positions and many starters from both offensive and defensive lines, making it difficult to fill those gaps, especially given the larger rosters and competition of bigger schools.
The Vikings will have a week off before returning home to face the Cibola Raiders on September 18th.
