Jim Hughes was a wanted man.
And everyone involved with the Willcox program – along with the Phoenix Northwest Christian program - now knows why he was sought after when the head position came open.
“He really changed things around here,” senior running back/defensive back Rudy Verdugo said. “He has a lot of experience and knows how to win.”
Willcox senior quarterback Gerald Fleming (8) and senior running back Rudy Verdugo (22) have their team one game away from the 2A championship. (Photo by Dave Brown, Arizona Range News)
That became evident last week when Willcox, the No. 9 seed in the Class 2A postseason, knocked off No. 1 Northwest Christian to advance to this week’s semifinals where the Cowboys (9-2) take on No. 5 Yuma Catholic (10-2) at 5 p.m. at Phoenix North Canyon High.
Hughes, 55, was content in retirement after a few years in administration and he hadn’t had a head coaching job since stepping down from the Thatcher post in 2000.
He had some assistant jobs through the years, including a stint as the Queen Creek freshmen coach, but kind of assumed he would get back into it again at some point.
“One way or another I knew I would probably do it again,” said Hughes, who won a 2A state title with Thatcher in 1998. “I didn’t know when or where, but someone at Willcox knew about me, called and asked if I would apply.”
He took over to become the third coach in three years after Willcox went 3-7 and 2-8 under Mike Patterson and Shane Austin, respectively, and instantly found something to work with.
“They were hungry and were tired of losing,” Hughes said. “We have great senior leadership and that made the transition easier because they really do a good job of making sure everyone understands what is expected of them.”
Hughes singled out quarterback Gerald Fleming and linebacker Mike Rand as the main leaders.
In addition to the leadership, the development of the offensive line has been a huge part of the team’s success. After getting hired he saw some of the players in basketball and baseball seasons and knew he was set with athletes.
“With the offense (I-formation) that we run I knew it would be a good fit,” Hughes said. “What I didn’t know was where we’d get the line from. They are bunch of juniors and a sophomore. They really grew up over the year and it is one of the reasons we are still playing.”
Verdugo has been the beneficiary of the lines’ development, rushing for 1,635 yards and 26 touchdowns including close to 300 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Northwest Christian.
“We feel like we can run the ball on anyone,” the 6-foot, 180-pounder said. “We got into a rhythm early in the year and they have been getting stronger every week.”
Verdugo said the team sensed the difference long before the line’s chemistry came together.
“We went to Eagar for team camp and we really came together,” he said. “We faced some really good teams and played with them. We came back knowing things were going to be different.”
Then in the third game of the year, Willcox beat Safford 28-21 and this year’s playoff run was set in motion.
“After that we knew we could beat anyone,” Verdugo said. “Safford is a really good team and that changed our season around.”
Hughes said this is his last stop and couldn’t be happier about the season so far even if the Cowboys have been underdogs and no one knows where the school is located.
“You can only go so far playing up the underdog card,” Hughes said. “It still comes down to playing football and we are getting better each week. One of the things the kids want to is put Willcox on the map. No one knows where we are geographically (southeast Arizona) and if we keep winning everyone will know.”
Willcox senior quarterback Gerald Fleming (8) and senior running back Rudy Verdugo (22) have their team one game away from the 2A championship. (Photo by Dave Brown, Arizona Range News)
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