Sequoia Pathway moves up to 11-man football

Sequoia Pathway Academy’s football team is stepping up in a big way.

The Pumas, perennial favorites in the Canyon Athletic Association, have moved from eight-man football to 11-man football. It represents challenges and opportunities, third-year head coach Demond Williams said.

While the athletes have already drawn the notice of Division II and III college football programs, Williams said going to 11-man ball will help SPA compete for players in a football town. The Pumas will also be facing schools with a bigger enrollment, like CAA Division III champion American Leadership Academy in Ironwood, which was 10-0 last year.

SPA was 9-1 in Division II in 2015, and a narrow loss in the title game has turned into the training mantra, “Three Minutes the Hard Way.”

The Pumas were undefeated and top-ranked going into the division championship game against Heritage Academy-Mesa. The Heroes went ahead by 6 points late in the game, and the Pumas’ offense could not come back in time.

Williams said being so close to a state championship has fired up the team for the new season. During both winter conditioning and spring ball, he said, the Pumas have worked with a purpose.

“We are super excited,” he said.

The Pumas continue to be a “great defensive group” that needed only to add three more positions to its line. They also have the confidence of two seasons of success.

“We have to make sure they’re not really complacent,” Williams said. He said the focus is on doing things right on the field and even more importantly in the classroom.

Last season, 20 players came out for the football team. This year, that grew to 32.

Among returning players are the Pumas’ four team captains. Senior quarterback Arthur Silva has been with the program since it started in 2014. Senior defensive back Trey Anderson is also the leading receiver. Senior Shawn Yuhas is a 6-foot-5 leader on the offensive line. Senior Travion Bolds led the team rushing with 1,172 yards.

Also back is senior Bryce Thurman, who led the team in sacks last year with 15.

Williams also praised the freshmen and sophomores coming up to combine with the returning players who have compiled impressive statistics over the program’s two seasons.

“This was the year to go to 11-man,” the coach said.

The Pumas won their first game in Division III by defeating Canyon State 42-36. Silva threw for 161 yards, and Bolds ran the ball 22 times for 206 yards and four touchdowns. Anderson had nine receptions for 156 yards and three touchdowns. Anderson also had seven total tackles to lead the defense. Devin Nickelson had a sack.

Friday, Sequoia Pathway plays Heritage Academy-Laveen, which also won its season opener.

Sequoia Pathway Varsity Football Schedule
Aug. 19     away     Canyon State Academy        W 42-36
Aug. 26     away    Heritage-Laveen                     7 p.m.
Sept. 2      away    Harvest Prep                            7 p.m.
Sept. 16    home    ALA-Ironwood                       7 p.m.

Sept. 23   away     AZ Compass                            7 p.m.
Oct. 6        away    Sequoia Charter School        7 p.m.

Oct. 14     home    Harvest Prep                          7 p.m.
Oct. 21     home    Heritage-Laveen                   7 p.m.
Oct. 28     away    ALA-Ironwood                         7 p.m.

Nov 4       PLAYOFFS- TBA

This story appeared in part in the September issue of InMaricopa.

Sequoia Pathway Varsity Football

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