New Eldorado coach says players’ positive attitude will help turnaround

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Monday, Aug. 23, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

New Eldorado High coach Vernon Brown knows that transforming his team into a winner won’t happen overnight.

But he does expect steps in the right direction this fall.

And, even before the season started, Brown received some good news: the Sundevils will field a team on all three levels, unlike last year when they didn’t have enough players for a junior varsity team.

Eldorado’s enrollment went from around 3,200 students in 2008 to 1,800 last year after Sunrise Mountain opened nearby and took several students. That depleted the football team, which finished with one victory and often lost by lopsided scores. It also had nine sophomores who saw regular action.

“I tell people this all the time, It can’t get much worse than last year,” said Brown, who was the defensive coordinator last season. “We were basically a junior varsity team playing a varsity schedule.”

Brown took over from Leon Evans in the offseason and plans on taking small steps in building the program. His first priority was changing the players’ attitude.

“We are constantly talking about winning and winning. It has gotten to the point were the kids believe we can make the playoffs,” Brown said.

Eldorado still lacks numbers with about 65 kids in the program — or about what some schools have on their ninth grade teams. But the players in Eldorado’s program have shown Brown they are willing to go the extra mile to be successful.

“I really feel like we have already accomplished a lot,” Brown said. “I couldn’t ask for a better effort.”

Eldorado also has a few talented players.

Quarterback JaQuorrey Williams (5-foot-11, 160-pounds) is a three-year varsity starter who passed for 739 yards and eight touchdowns last year. He had two touchdown runs against Chaparral in the “Cleat Game” to help Eldorado win its lone game of the year.

“He is one of the top quarterbacks, if not the top quarterback in the valley,” Brown said. “Because of the losing seasons, nobody has heard of him or had a chance to see him.”

Blocking for Williams will be center Tyler Nelson (5-foot-9, 165-pounds) and tackle Roberto Higuera (6-foot, 225-pounds).

Williams will receive help from fullback Michael Williams (6-foot-2, 235 pounds), who was second at the state wrestling meet in the heavyweight division last winter, and brings toughness to the football team. Senior Cesar Urrutia will be the feature tailback.

Brett Van Orden is one of Eldorado’s top athletes and will play defensive back and wide receiver. Defensive end Darion Ashley should be one of the leaders of the defense.

“We knew that it would be a two-year deal (when Sunrise Mountain opened),” Brown said. “We took the lumps last year and we are still feeling it. Hopefully we can get a few Ws and get into the playoffs.”