Michael Lancia is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Camelback High School for AZPreps365

Prior to Friday’s win against South Mountain, the Camelback offense had stumbled. The Spartans had scored less than 41 points through the first five games.

That changed in game six. The Spartans (2-4) erupted for 28 points in a loss to South Mountain.

To offensive coordinator Nicholas Ferrara, the team is not far away from competing on a weekly basis.

“It’s just minor tweaks,” said Ferrara. “We aren’t changing the foundation, the foundation is set.

"I think it’s just new to them, so execution is what it really boils down to. They execute a good amount of the time, but sometimes we make mental mistakes that take us a step back. That’s what we are trying to fight, the execution and mental mistakes.”

Overcoming mental mistakes is Camelback’s focus.

“The mental mistakes just get us,” said Ferrara. “We’ll overcome that as we grow together as a team. They are a younger group of kids, so the nice thing is we can make our mistakes now as a group, and when we grow together as they become a senior class there won’t be mistakes just straight up execution.”

Senior quarterback Tom Perez believes in “not having questions for today. Being prepared and knowing what you have to do is important so you don’t have to ask questions and hesitate, because when you hesitate you mess up.”

Perez’s plan for sparking up the offense is “repetition and getting our minds set. Right now it’s just being mentally ready, knowing what you have to do and not asking questions, just playing football.”

Another reason Camelback has struggled to find the end zone is around 70% of the team plays on both sides of the ball. This leaves for little opportunities to rest and recuperate before entering the game again, with some players never leaving the field.

"It’s tough going both ways, I’m not going to lie,” said offensive lineman Kaleb Crawley. “It’s tough, but it’s the adrenaline that keeps me going. I am going to keep on hitting until the final whistle is blown and the final play stops.”

“For the guys that go both ways, we keep pushing ourselves until the final whistle is blown and it pays off in the end,” said offensive lineman Amilio Blanco. “What we could do to take the step to the next level is everybody do their job, not worry about everybody else, catch the ball, make the block, and get the play going.”

 

Coach Brandon McNutt has faith his team can turn it around and make a name for themselves in the last five games this season. “We can match up with anybody. I am proud of where we are at as a team, these kids have had to learn on the go with us, with a different practice plan and way of teaching.”

 

McNutt is not alone when thinking optimistically about Camelback’s future.

 

“Our offense is really good and we have some great talent, it is just the mentality that we need to change. Nothing will ever stop us, we’re gonna keep on going,” said Crawley.

 

Camelback’s offense will be tested at home in Friday’s matchup against Central.