Dumas eyes return to top of district in 2023
For most football teams a 6-5 record and a playoff appearance would be considered a successful season. The Dumas Demons are not most football teams.
Dumas is regularly the cream of the crop in District 3-4A Division I, having won five consecutive district championships prior to last year. The Demons had to battle through some adversity last season as they finished third in district and lost in the opening round to Wichita Falls High.
This year, the Demons again return four starters on offense and two on defense with another new quarterback. With the district as competitive as ever, it may be tough to reclaim the district crown.
Tough is just a word to the Dumas Demons.
"We're excited about our team obviously," head coach Aaron Dunnam said. "We have to replace a lot of starters off of last year's team, but we feel really good about some of the spots on this year's team...We had some very, very close losses. We're very excited about our team this year and the kids that we have."
Strong up front
Dunnam said he feels the strength of the team lies in its offensive line. Keegan Ireland and Jacob Roberts will lead the way after starting last year and Dunnam said Juan Jimenez has a ton of promise. That group will help out a ton of inexperienced players at the skill positions.
It's an open competition for who will take over at QB with sophomore Blake Robinson as the perceived frontrunner after he led the way in 7-on-7 this summer. Dunnam also raved about the arm talent and long-term potential of freshman Colton Mills.
Luis Escarcega should be a major factor on offense after rushing for 269 yards and three scores on 71 carries and hauling in eight passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. Eduardo Hernandez should factor in the run game as well while James Coaly is expected to step up at receiver following the graduation of Oliver Ortiz.
"I really like our offensive line right now," Dunnam said. "Keegan Ireland is going to be leading that group and I'm expecting some really good things from them...We've got some receivers that were good for us last year and they'll be back...We're really excited with the development of the QB position with what we saw in 7-on-7 this summer, though."
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Hey, new kid
While the offense will have a lot of fresh faces, the defense will be almost entirely new. Two starters return on that side of the ball and a lot of youngsters will have to grow up quick.
Arnoldo Hernandez is expected to lead the way up front after registering 35 tackles with five for a loss last season. Imanol Marquez is back to lead the secondary after recording 37 tackles and two interceptions with a pick-six last year. Other than them, though, it's all newbies. Linebacker Dustin Coey has the next most experience with 13 tackles and two sacks in 2022.
Ireland is expected to play a major role on the defensive line while Johnny Marquez is expected to be a big-time contributor at receiver and safety.
"Imanol Marquez was the Newcomer of the Year for the district last year as our starting corner so we're expecting big things from him," Dunnam said. "Johnny Marquez didn't start for us last year, but he's going to be one of our safeties and is a really, really dynamic player."
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Where do we go now?
It's a young group, and the district won't be any easier this year. Randall return many key pieces while adding one of the top coaches in the area in Dan Sherwood. Pampa has multiple returners from a playoff squad, Hereford returns the bulk of its young group last year and Canyon always seems to find a way. Reclaiming the district crown won't be easy.
Dumas, though, has consistently been one of the top teams in the area. Last year was the Demons' "worst" season since 2014 and they still finished above .500 and made the postseason. While the challenge will be difficult, the opportunity for success is there.
Regardless of what happens on the field, however, that's not where Dunnam and company will measure their success this season.
"To me success goes way beyond the game," Dunnam said. "We're a part of the educational system and I want to focus on the team and not ourselves. We want to serve hearts, our community, Dumas ISD and our school. That's where we measure our success and we want to use the game to do that."
More: 2023 Amarillo Globe News High School Football Previews
DUMAS DEMONS
Head coach: Aaron Dunnam
2022 record: 6-5 overall, 2-2 in district
Base offense: Multiple
Base defense: 3-4
Last playoff appearance: 2022
Top returners: Keegan Ireland, Imanol Marquez, Arnoldo Hernandez, Luis Escarcega, Jacob Roberts
SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: at Lubbock-Cooper, 7 p.m.
Sept. 1: vs. Lubbock Estacado, 7 p.m.
Sept. 8: vs, Perryton, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15: at Plainview, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22: at Bushland, 7 p.m.
Sept. 28 (Thurs.): vs. El Paso Austin, 6 p.m. at Odessa's Ratliff Stadium
Oct. 6: vs. Randall, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13: OPEN
Oct. 20: at Pampa, 7 p.m.
Oct. 27: vs. Canyon, 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 at Hereford, 7 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Dumas High School football looking to reclaim district crown in 2023
