Rick Shipley

Williams High School football coach Rick Shipley has to hope returners from last year's squad have a short memory.
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We felt we were very competitive with them, but having a touchdown called back in the last few minutes didn't help," said Shipley, the Vikings' longtime skipper.

"(Then) we lost by a touchdown to both Mayer and Red Mesa on the road, which was the reason we came in fourth in the region," he added.

The bad news for Vikings fans extended into the postseason, as their favorite team was bounced from the Class 2A state bracket by virtue of a 34-0 loss to Thatcher.

But with 2004 in the rear-view mirror, Shipley, a two-time Class 1A State Coach of the Year, said there's no reason why this year's squad can't join in the tradition of winning the Vikings have enjoyed.

"We've had some success here.We won two (Class 1A) state titles.The first in 1989, and the other in 1993," Shipley said."And we've been to the state playoffs 15 of the 17 years I've been here."

Offensively, Shipley will have to find a way to fill the mighty big shoes left by the graduated Chance Grantham.
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"He was a pretty talented offensive threat," Shipley said of Grantham, who split time at running back and wide receiver.
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Shipley said senior Lucas Zabala (5-foot-8, 155 pounds) has the physical skills to help fill the void left by Grantham.
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"We look for him to give us a lot of the same things Chance offered us: good speed and a lot of big-play ability," Shipley said.
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In the region, Shipley said while both his Vikings and St. Johns will likely be in the mix at the end of the regular season, region newcomer Camp Verde has the potential to push for the title.

"They're coming from 3A to 2A this year.They're going to be a very tough opponent," Shipley said.

This has caused kids to become frustrated and drop out of school," said WHS Athletic Director Rick Shipley.

Out of approximately 120 students that participate in band, sports and other extra-curricular activities, only seven or eight of those students have grades below 60 percent, said Shipley.

The WHS has never been in violation of AIA regulations during the time that he has been there, Shipley said.

"We have never been punished or placed on probation," he said.