Experience could help Ironwood to turnaround season

WEEKLY BLOG: 7/14/18

Ian Curtis is heading into his ninth season in charge of the Ironwood football program. However, the Eagles are in search of their first winning season since 2012.

Nonetheless, Curtis is up for the task as he likes the way his players have progressed as they get set to depart to Show Low this week for summer football camp.

"The summer has given us the opportunity to bring our young players up to speed," Curtis said in an e-mail interview. "We are incredibly excited about the talent we have at the various skill positions. Across the board, this is the best skill position team we have had in a decade."

The summer was critical for the Ironwood team because the Red for Ed labor dispute that closed schools also limited the amount of practices in May for the Eagles.

"I made the decision not to practice while schools were shut down," Curtis said. "I found it hard to justify not teaching my English students, but showing up to coach the football team."

After an abbreviated spring ball, IHS attended weekend 7-on-7 passing tournaments at Central, Peoria, and Goldwater.

For the first time since the 2014 season, Ironwood returns a 1,000-yard rusher. Devante Wimbish (5-10, 210) eclipsed the century mark in rushing six times as a junior with a high game of 189 against Sunnyslope. He scored eight touchdowns and has the ability to remain focused in times of disorder. Curtis believes he will improve even more in his second year as a starter.

"Devante is physically strong and agile," Curtis said. "The more touches he gets, the better he gets."

Wimbish had more than 20 carries three times in 2017. For the season, he had about half of the rushing attempts on the team.

Another underclassman, Nate Guzman, led the Eagles in touchdown catches last season with six. Guzman (6-0, 165) had 21 receptions (second to Wimbish) and averaged more than 12 yards per catch. He grew tremendously during his sophomore year and Curtis feels Guzman will be a special player for the Eagles this year.

"Playing on Friday nights is a far cry from freshman football," Curtis said. "It took some time, but he responded to the challenges the way we hoped he would; he worked hard and competed."

The quarterback position has yet to be settled. Junior Corey Tschantz started for Ironwood last season and threw 12 touchdown passes. However, sophomore Will Haskell has transferred in from Deer Valley. Haskell played in five varsity games for the Skyhawks last season and passed for 299 yards.

"We are excited to welcome Will home," Curtis said. "He attended an Ironwood feeder school, so it feels like he's back where he should be."

In addition to Haskell, four other sophomores have transferred to IHS from Deer Valley. It was reported in AZCentral that the five players opted to move schools following a fight that occurred in May on the eve of the school's spring football game (which was canceled). Curtis feels all five of them will help the Eagles' program, however they may have to sit the first five games of the season due to the AIA transfer rule. Hardship appeals will be heard the week of the first game in mid-August.

Defensively, the Eagles run a multiple 4-3. Ironwood returns a First Team All-5A Conference linebacker in Stone Aguirre. The 5-8, 200-pounder is a hard hitter that led the team in tackles (96) and sacks (9) while also recovering two fumbles and forcing two more.

"Stone Aguirre is our top returner on defense," Curtis said. "He will be better this year."

In addition to his heroics on the field, Aguirre is a multi-sport athlete that also balances his sports with strong academics.

Up front, Curtis is also excited about junior Cameron Little, who made an immediate impact on varsity as a sophomore with 45 tackles.

"He is bigger and stronger," Curtis said of the 5-10, 230-pound Little. "He is going to cause major disruptions on the line of scrimmage."

In the secondary, senior Anthony Zavala returns after a junior campaign with four interceptions. He also contributed on offense with three rushing touchdowns.

Despite coming off back-to-back two-win seasons, Curtis feels the expectation of the program for 2018 is to reach the 5A playoffs. Ironwood's last postseason game came back in the 2011 season when seniors like Aguirre were mere fifth graders.

The schedule for IHS kicks off on Aug. 24 at Chuck Esquivel Stadium (dedicated for its former coach in December) against Independence. Of the five non-region games, only Cactus had a winning season in 2017.

A strong start is important for the Eagles because the Metro Region is no more. Apollo, Kellis, and Sunnyslope moved along with Ironwood into the Northwest Region where the foursome joins defending champion Centennial and Sunrise Mountain (who was a powerhouse in 4A).

"We are focused on Game One," Curtis said. "We need to get off to a great start; then, who knows? The only thing this team really needs is the confidence to know that they can compete with every 5A school. We have the physical tools. We are sharpening the mental ones."