Football in the White Mountains area of east central Arizona is so competitive that a coach has to be willing to go to the ends of the Earth to gain an advantage.

Well, not to the ends of the Earth. To Surprise, maybe.

Show Low coach Randy Ricedorff and about three dozen of his players made the trek to the west Valley on Saturday (June 22) to participate in the Arizona Football Coaches Association 7-on-7 passing competition at the Surprise Stadium complex.

Ricedorff and his Cougars have been all over the place in June, going to camps at the University of Arizona, Arizona State, Northern Arizona University and a tournament Peoria Liberty High, with a combined price tag approaching $20,000, according to the coach.

Show Low also will host a league next weekend that will include such teams as Ricedorff’s alma mater, Mesa Westwood, Gilbert Higley, Mesa Skyline and Snowflake.

It was close to a four-hour trip each way for Show Low. There were other schools among the 35 competing that traveled a long distance – Palo Verde (Blythe, Calif.), Yuma Cibola, Kayenta Monument Valley, Prescott Valley Bradshaw Mountain and Yuma Gila Ridge.

Once again, the trick is to get an early jump on the White Mountain schools, particularly rival Lakeside Blue Ridge.

“If our opponents get the idea that we are outworking them by being a part of events like this, we’ll take it,’’ Ricedorff said. “That’s more mental than anything else.’’

“For us, being out here together helps build team chemistry, build a philosophy, build character. There’s no way to compensate for that.

“Going against some of the bigger schools in the state, the caliber of athletes, is a huge advantage for our kids.’’

Coming back for his second season as a starter at quarterback will be Colby Maxwell.

“He’s not your prototypical guy (5-feet-9, about 150 pounds), but he gets the job done. He throws a pretty good ball,’’ Ricedorff said.

“We don’t have what you would call a “go-to guy.’ We just play well together.’’

Among others expected to play key roles are Dallin Crandell (running back/defensive end), Jace Wyatt (lineman), Trevor Solomon (wide receiver/defensive back) and Bret Van Winkle (wide receiver/defensive back).