(Courtesy Dysart Schools)

DYSART DEMONS

COACH: John Ganados (ninth season)

RECORD: 7-4 (3A playoffs first round)

REGION: 3A West

OFFENSE: Superback

DEFENSE: 4-3

KEY RETURNEES: Jevon Christmas, Sr., RB/LB; Donovan Hinchey, Sr., WR/CB; Pablo Miramontes, Sr., OG/DT; Oscar Trujillo, Sr., OT/DE; Connor Stogner, Sr., CB/WR; Isidro Franco, Sr., CB/RB.

NEWCOMERS TO WATCH: Angelo Crespin, Jr., QB (transfer-Valley Vista).

With their success from last season, the Dysart Demons are using that momentum to push themselves farther this year.

Dysart earnd a spot in the 3A playoffs for the first time since 2020, but this team felt more of a sense of accomplishment since the 2020 Demons qualified for the playoffs with a 3-2 record in that COVID-marred season. Last year Dysart was 7-2 before losing to ALA-West Foothills to end the regular season and to start the playoffs.

“The way we ended last season, the kids are hungry and we left a lot on the field against ALA,” Coach John Ganados said. “We’re excited to open up with Benjamin Franklin, which will be a big test for us.”

Dysart ended its season with a 7-4 overall record. A seven-game winning streak earned second place in the 3A Metro West region.

One of its standout wins was against its Surprise rival, Paradise Honors, which went into overtime and Dysart ultimately winning 50-48. Now both ALA-West Foothills and Paradise Honors moved up to 4A.

A couple of notable seniors from 2024 graduated leaving some holes in the offense. With Avion Bailey, Isaiah Haliburton and Isaiah Roman departing from the program, Donovan Hinchey and Jevon Christmas have the chance to dominate the offense even more.

Last season, the junior (now senior) duo were already huge contributors. Hinchey led his team in receiving yards per game and total touchdowns. He had 817 receiving yards, along with 17 touchdowns.

Christmas was a dominant running back with 11 touchdowns and 73.4 rushing yards per game.

“This year, I’d say we’re more hungry for this first game to be able to go again,” Hinchey said about the difference in attitude and confidence compared to last year.

Cornerback Conner Stogner will be a key player for the defense this season. The senior had six interceptions and 25 tackles last season, giving the offense opportunities to score more points. He returned one of the picks for a touchdown.

Led by Stogner the team had a total of 13 interceptions. The Demons allowed 33 points a game but made life difficult for offenses, as they had 19 fumble recoveries and 19 caused fumbles.

Dysart is filled with versatile players who play both sides of the ball and even on special teams. However, Dysart was riddled with injuries and hoped to have those players back this season.

Ganados has to ensure his players stay healthy and are not exhausted by the amount of snaps they play.

“There have been times Donovan (Hinchey) ran a 99-yard touchdown from an interception, then he has to get back on the field and go play defense and he’s winded,” Ganados said about using two-way players. “We got to watch how we put our players in and at what time.”

Last season was a sign of hope for a bright future in the program in Ganados’ nearly decade-long tenure as head coach at Dysart.

The team’s winning streak, it brought out the community and gave a spotlight to El Mirage. Ganados said last season was special, with the outcome of his team, staff and community believing in the program.

Many alumni still reside in El Mirage and reminisce about the glory days when Dysart was a dominant force. With more support from the community, it has a different meaning for the players to wear their uniforms.

Many players with Dysart alumni in their family, such as senior lineman Pablo Miramontes, are proud to wear black and red every Friday night. For Stogner, he has never played tackle football until he stepped foot onto campus his freshman year.

“My freshman year putting it on made me feel like a family in the team here and it just makes me feel connected to my teammates,” Stogner said about wearing his uniform.

Miramontes and fellow senior two-way lineman Oscar Trujillo lead the units that have impressed Ganados the most this offseason, both lines.
He credited the assistant coaches for developing the linemen.

“This is the best coaching staff I’ve ever put together. We have a feeder system going through finally. It’s all connecting the dots,” Ganados said.

With their first game a couple of weeks away against a 3A semifinalist from 2024, Ganados said the team is prepared. With his coaching staff and players, he has developed the culture he had experienced with past generations of his family in this football program.

The proof? For the first time in recent memory, Dysart has multiple players transferring in to play football there. And we are not just talking one or two kids.

“I’m not used to this. I’m pinching myself. I think it’s because of our athletic director. She was a winner at Valley Vista and they hear she’s here and it just carries the fire to the football program,” Ganados said. “I think we’ve got about 10 players. For our region, I think it will be great.”