So Far, So Good For Coconino Football As Players Adjust To New Coaches And Vice Versa

The Coconino High School football program is adjusting to a new coach, with a rich history. Gary Cook has begun his tenure as coach of the Panthers, who are playing seven-on-seven games to get the offense reads to go. He says he started the job questioning what kind of skill he had at Coconino. Cook says “those questions have been answered. We have lots of skill. We have tons of wide receivers, slot receivers, tight ends and we have depth.” He adds, “it was probably the most encouraging thing to me that these guys were here.” Cook credited former Coconino head coach Mike Lapsley for building the program the right way. Cook last coached under late Bradshaw Mountain head coach Chuck Moeller from 2017 to 2019, and spent one season as an assistant under current Bradshaw Mountain head coach Bob Young, before leaving the staff in 2020. Colton Buckingham will take over as the quarterback of the Panthers this season. Cook says the junior is off to a great start, but has some things to learn before heading into the season, but the new coach thinks the signal caller will be “very good.” Coconino played Mingus in a seven-on-seven game Tuesday, where the Panthers scored often. Coconino begins its season August 25th at home against Carl Hayden.