Claire Cornelius is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Dobson High School for AZPreps365.com

Dobson High School football heads into its 2020 campaign with plans to build on the foundation second-year head coach Bill Godsil set last season. 

“Last year was about laying the foundation and you know, we came within nine points of finishing .500 last season which would have been their first non-losing season in I think seven or eight years,” Godsil said. “We can still take that next step of developing ourselves into a winning program, and learning how to win.” 

The Mustangs finished 2-8 in 2018 and 3-7 in 2019, respectively. 

Senior Damyian Duarte will lead the Dobson offense as a first-time true quarterback. The offense “took off” when Duarte made the switch from running back to quarterback last season, Godsil said. 

Duarte threw 44 completions for 612 yards, and ran for 702 yards on 81 carries last season. 

“I've put a lot on his plate this year and pushed him mentally and physically and I think he's gonna have a really good senior season,” Godsil said. 

One of Duarte’s main targets will be senior wide receiver Xavier Jimenez, who led the team in receptions and receiving yards last season with 30 and 467, respectively.  

On the defensive side, senior middle linebacker Noah Williams will fulfill the leader role. Williams participated in an offseason workout program, where he gained “25 pounds of muscle,” Godsil said. 

Williams had 39 total tackles and one sack last season. 

Senior defensive back Gus Owens is another notable returner to the Mustangs’ secondary. Owens had two interceptions and seven total tackles last season. 

Dobson’s offseason has been plagued with challenges related to COVID-19, but the coaching staff is learning to adapt.

Team bonding activities like team meals and volunteering have been reduced to only position groups. 

Only half the team can come in to watch film due to social distancing guidelines, so ensuring all the players “stay mentally sharp” and understand film isn’t easy, Godsil said. 

The remote learning structure is difficult for the players. Godsil is trying to prevent losing players after the first game due to grade ineligibility. 

“I sat everybody down and said they have to turn at least two assignments in before we go out to practice today,” Godsil said.  

Dobson’s first game is slated for 7 p.m. Friday Oct. 2nd at North Canyon High School.