For the first time since 2018, Yuma Catholic football is under new leadership.

Following the retirement of longtime head coach Rhett Stallworth at the end of the 2024 season, former defensive backs coach Vernon Smith was elevated to the position in the winter and has taken charge of the program across a grueling summer campaign leading up to Friday.

Replacing Yuma's winningest football coach is no easy feat on its own, but Smith's job looms with even more difficulty after the Shamrocks were elevated to the 5A level for the first time in program history after an incredibly successful 4A campaign spanning three seasons.

"I'm definitely following a legend," Smith said of his predecessor. "But who came before me doesn't change my approach in wanting to help continue making this program succ

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