DOVE CREEK – In his first day on the job, there weren’t many surprises for new Dove Creek High School football coach Brennan Banks.
After all, he had seen plenty of the Bulldogs in action from their time as part of the middle school program where Banks had been coaching the previous three seasons.
The ‘Dogs are gearing up for what they hope will be the program’s seventh straight postseason appearance, and Banks and his coaching staff recognize just how special of a backfield they inherited to begin the season. Now a group of seniors and juniors, the quarterback and running backs all gained valuable experience as part of DC’s 7-3 season last fall – and it’s a group that Banks will lean on for leadership when the Bulldogs take to the field on Saturday, Aug. 30, against Plateau Valley in the season opener.
“All of our upperclassmen have been awesome – they’ve been coaching up the younger kids,” assessed Banks.
Senior Josh Kibel returns as the Dove Creek signal caller, joining classmate Nicholas Aragon and juniors Teagan Larimore and Cael Beanland as part of a Bulldog ground attack looking to keep opposing defenses on their heels. Dove Creek ran for over 240 yards per game last season, and their combination of track speed and wrestling quickness make them a tough group to bring down.
On the other side of the ball, seniors Trevan Ivie and Chad Kline led a ferocious defensive front and linebacking core, but with graduation, Banks and his group will be looking to put together a reconstructed offensive and defensive line using some new pieces.
“Our job as a coaching staff is to put the best eight players out on the field,” said Banks, “and there are some younger kids that we are going to lean on to step up and fill those shoes.”
As has continued to be the case for a Dove Creek program that has steadily become an 8-man powerhouse, the offseason commitment from the student-athletes gives Banks confidence in their prospects this season.
“We spent a lot of time together over the summer – getting into the weight room and playing some 7-on-7 scrimmages with other teams in our area,” said Banks.
The Bulldogs have their sights set high again this year while recognizing the rigors of playing in one of the toughest leagues in the classification. “Our goal is always to compete for the league championship,” said Banks, “and our seniors – who were part of the state title team during their freshman year – understand what it takes to get to the mountain top.”
After their road trip to Collbran to begin the season, Dove Creek will head to Rangely on Sept. 5, before hosting their first game of the season on Sept. 12 against Escalante (NM). The ‘Dogs will play at home in the Border War against Monticello on Sept. 26 before taking on Mancos in their Mountain League opener on Oct. 2. Dove Creek will play three of their final four games away from the Soper Sports Complex, including a regular season finale at Sanford on Nov. 1.
