DRA Football

August 24th, 2007

FUN OVER FOR D-BACKS - LEAGUE ACTION BEGINS

HURRICANE - On high school campuses across the nation, Friday night means bright lights, cheerleaders and a football team eager to take the field.

Diamond Ranch Academy is no exception.

Friday night the DRA Diamondbacks travel to Tonapah High for the first league game of the year for both schools. Game time is set for 8 p.m., (Pacific).

"We're not afraid of them," said Randy W. "We're (disciplined) kids, and we make stuff happen. We cause havoc and play as one unit."

Located in Washington County, DRA is an accredited, special purpose school that promotes individual choice and accountability, and the football program is an extension of that philosophy.

Diamond Ranch is coming off a successful preseason schedule that saw the D-Backs rack up an impressive 3-0 record against some much bigger and more established teams. Abundant Life (18-7), Fredonia (42-7) and Calvary Chapel (26-20) became casualties of the DRA high-powered offense and stingy defense.

The emergence of Diamond Ranch as an apparent power in the smallest football classification in the tri-state area is a testament to the vision and desire of the staff as well as the determination and brotherhood of the players.

Athletic Director Robbie Dias became aware that Beaver Dam wasn't able to field a team for the 2007 season, and offered to make Diamond Ranch the newest 8-man football school in Utah. The Diamondbacks took over Beaver Dam's place on the schedule, and while the Arizona school eventually found enough boys to play and rejoined the league, Diamond Ranch Academy football had been born - and the D-Backs weren't going away.

Once the vision was set, it became just a matter of enticing players - and parents - to invest in the program, recruiting a coaching staff and organizing practices. All three elements fell into place and soon the D-Backs were slapping pads and calling signals like the rest of the prep programs across the nation.

Practices are held on the school multi-purpose playing fields, and the coaching staff is second to none, boasting experienced tutors from around the state who eventually came together at Dixie State College before reassembling on the DRA campus.

Ricky Dias serves as the team's defensive backfield coach, while big brother Robbie is the D-Back's head coach and defensive co-ordinator. Cody Wardle is the offensive co-ordinator, and Bryant Toller heads the offensive line. Clay Bayard has the wide receiver and quarterback responsibilities, with Ola K. overseeing the defensive line.

Football is a game of inches, so all inches are rightfully measured, counted and attributed to whomever gained them. For the Calvary Chapel scrimmage, Dave A. was credited with 100 yards rushing, while backfield mate Randy W. led the squad with 130 yards. Nick C. opened holes for some long gainers with his bruising blocking from the fullback spot.

"We were just where we needed to be, doing what we needed to do," said Randy W.

Starting quarterback Milo K. fired several passes for long yardage and several touchdowns, padding tailback Randy W's statistics through the preseason. Randy is a 5-foot-8 tailback who also spends time in the defensive backfield. He is a senior from San Diego, CA, who also enjoys lacrosse and soccer.

"I was asked to play by Robbie Dias. I was more into school, but I wanted to play," said Randy W. "I just tell myself not to be scared, and go at it. I just look at what has to be done, and do my part."

Randy W. has totaled nine touchdowns to date - five on the ground and four via the pass - as well as over 425 total yards. On defense, Randy W. has piled up 14 tackles and four sacks.

With Nick C. and center Jake B. blowing holes in the opponents defense, the running backs were able to run wild into the defensive backfield, and kept all three opponents on their heels.

Robbie Dias added that Trevor T., Nate R. and Jake B. all "had a huge game on the defensive line," while freshman Luke G. stepped in and also played some solid defense, while backup quarterback Ryan R. also "came in and helped us to a victory."

Randy said his team is ready for Tonapah High, but won't put in many special plays for the evening.

"Our coaches will teach us what we need to do," said Randy W. "We don't worry a lot about the other team - we focus on doing what we need to do. Once the intensity gets up, we're a full-blown team that can't be stopped."

On the field, the D-Backs demonstrate the same principles that make their experience at the Ranch a life-changing one.

"This is a life lesson for us," said Randy W. "We're taught to be humble about things, and if we work hard we get that good feeling that comes with it."

Ricky Dias echoed his star's feelings.

"We focus on being standup people. There is absolutely no swearing by the players or coaches, and the kids are held to a really high standard, and that's why they play well," said Dias. "They perform well in the classroom, which helps them perform well on the field. We hold them to a high standard, and that goes on to make them better people."

And a pretty good country football team, too.

Gary W.