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WEST VALLEY PREPS

2020 Preps football preview: Dysart

Posted 9/30/20

Coach John Ganados has spent the last three years building a foundation for the Dysart High football team, and he expects this to be the year where they put it all together.

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WEST VALLEY PREPS

2020 Preps football preview: Dysart

Posted

Coach John Ganados has spent the last three years building a foundation for the Dysart High football team, and he expects this to be the year where they put it all together.

“I’ve been waiting for one of y’all (a reporter) to come out here… This is our year,” Ganados said, his large smile apparent even with a mask on.

The Demons have only won eight games in the three years Ganados has spent at Dysart, but they have been learning and building chemistry playing together over the last three years.

“I got 13 returning starters, and a lot of these guys have been here all three years that I have been here,” Ganados said.

Combine experience and continuity with the fact that the Demons were moved from 4A to 3A, and Ganados seems intent to prove his squad could compete at a high level.

“They moved us down to 3A,” Ganados said, with a combination of displeasure and intent.

\While the coach and the team were looking forward to a season, a once-in-a-lifetime event made the possibility of not having a season a very real chance.

COVID-19 has pushed back high school sports in many states across the country, but Arizona recently gave the green light for the fall season, putting the minds of both coaches and athletes at ease.

While the team is fortunate enough to have a season, preparation has been different from day one.

“Workouts was a little difficult to get through… After one person is done with something another has to wipe it down right away,” senior running back Gabriel Silvas said.

Despite the odd new normal, both Silvas and Ganados made it clear that the precautions and extra steps were worth it to be able to play.

“It’s been a big adjustment, but we’ve made that adjustment just like everyone else has and we’re just thankful and glad and excited there will be a season,” said Ganados.

Dysart sophomore quarterback Alex Moreno prepares to deliver a pass during the Aug. 23, 2019 season opener against Phoenix Washington. Ruben Falcon came in the second half of last year and seized the quarterback job. Moreno will play defensive back this year. [Courtesy Dysart Unified School District]

“Right now we’re just lucky to have a season,” Silvas said laughing.

While off the field adjustments have been made, Ganados and senior quarterback Ruben Falcon have been focusing on their adjustments on the field, with the season opener just a week away.

Again, continuity and chemistry were highlighted.

“It starts with our line, we got four of the five returning, a couple of wideouts, our running back (Silvas), all those guys coming back… it’s gonna be a big help this year,” Falcon said.

As for the new offensive lineman, the Demons are looking to freshman center Xavier Silvas, brother of senior running back Gabriel.

“I’m just looking forward to getting out there with my brother,” said Gabriel.

Xavier Silvas continues to impress Falcon as well.

“He’s good, he’s got a lot and he’s shown a lot out there,” said Falcon.

Both Falcon and the elder Silvas brother understand the importance of not only setting an example and leading the way for Xavier, but also for all of the other underclassmen on the team.

“I know a lot of things about us being the older seniors coming back with a lot of young kids coming up looking to impress and wanting to do their job, making sure their in the right places and doing what they need to do,” Gabriel Silvas said.

This kind of leadership showed by the upperclassman will help coach Ganados establish a culture that the Demons can carry over from class to class, with each class teaching those core values to the younger class.

In the short term, players understand the importance of staying safe off of the field to ensure that they can continue to play and complete their shortened seven-game schedule.

“Check for symptoms, wear a mask on campus and in practice, temperature checks during school,” Gabriel said.

Despite the ongoing concerns of COVID, both Gabriel Silvas and Falcon are ready to get back to the game they love. 

The older Silvas said Dysart got a bunch of guys ready to go who will stay focused on us and take care of our bodies and compete every night.

“There was a big worry (of not having a season)... we’re just blessed to go out and have the opportunity to play,” Gabriel said.

The Demons open next Friday on the road at Coronado, followed by their home opener against Wickenburg the following Friday.