It’s the time of year where hope springs eternal, where energy and optimism never seem in short supply.
The week leading into Week 1 of the high school football season sees that energy rapidly percolate as players prepare for the sweet release of hitting someone other than a teammate for the first time.
And there’s always a different vibe when there’s a new head coach in town, an excitement to see if what the new guy’s preaching leads the program down the right path.
Durango High School will get the chance at making its first impression on the 2013 season when first-year head coach David Vogt and the Demons take on Cheyenne Mountain at 7 p.m. Friday at DHS Stadium.
“I just feel like the kids have really bought into the system, and I think we’re ready to go,” Vogt said at practice this week.
Vogt was hired to replace Greg Wyatt, who resigned in November after four years at the helm, three of which ended with playoff appearances before a 4-6 mark last year. Vogt was a defensive assistant with Chaparral High School in Parker last season, helping Chaparral to the Class 5A playoffs and a 7-4 record. Before that, he was a defensive assistant and head wrestling coach at Churchill High School in San Antonio and spent a year as a secondary coach at Seguin High School in Seguin, Texas.
He graduated from Texas Lutheran University in 2006, where he was an academic all-conference selection.
Vogt’s familiarity with the roster and a sense of continuity for the players has been helped by a bevy of familiar faces returning as assistants. And that continuity and a growing sense of comfort between head coach and players has allowed DHS to hit the ground running, literally.
“It’s just a faster pace, just making sure that when we’re out there on the field, we’re in better shape than the other team and always have a sense of urgency. ... Knowing their assignments and just playing fast from there,” Vogt said.
Senior quarterback Jeremy Szura said Vogt’s youthful enthusiasm and energy has been contagious through the offseason and on into camp.
“The whole team loves him, and he just makes everything fun,” Szura said. “He’s just a great guy and glad he’s here.”
The Demons return three first-team All-Southwestern League selections from last year in linebacker/running back Isiah Mayberry, linebacker/running back Tyler Worley and lineman Daniel Gustavson, all seniors, with the lone nonreturner being lineman Austin Miles, who’s now playing football at CSU-Pueblo.
Worley ran for 1,273 yards last year, but as far as what he has planned for an encore, it has less to do with his own numbers and more about bringing up the one number that counts the most.
“Right now, I don’t really care about my stats, just getting the win,” said Worley, son of Crystal Coffey and Noah Worley. “That’s the most important thing to me. ... Hopefully we can get every win every weekend.”
One of the biggest question marks entering 2013 for DHS was the quarterback position. Three different signal callers saw time last year because of a combination of injury and mixed results. Vogt said the position was wide open during camp, and Szura likely is to get the call come Friday.
“It’s made me better,” said Szura, son of Kari and Matt Szura. “Coming in here, fresh start, nobody’s set – it’s pushed me to do the best that I can to get the position that I want.”
Not that there won’t be a bevy of in-season tweaks, but come Friday, the dress rehearsal’s over; it’s time for DHS to lift the curtain and step to center stage.
“I’m really excited for this season to start,” Worley said. “At the scrimmage last weekend (in Bayfield), we looked really good, and we’re building off of it.”
rowens@durangoherald.com
Durango Demons
2013 Schedule
Note: All games will be broadcast locally on KPTE 99.7 FM.
Aug. 30 – Cheyenne Mountain, 7 p.m.
Sept. 6 – at Kirtland Central, 7 p.m.
Sept. 13 – Piedra Vista, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 – at Farmington, 7 p.m.
Sept. 28 – at Palisade, noon
Oct. 4 – Grand Junction, 7 p.m.
Oct. 11 – Grand Junction Central, 7 p.m.
Oct. 18 – at Fruita Monument, 7 p.m.
Oct. 25 – at Montrose, 7 p.m.
Nov. 1 – Montezuma-Cortez, 7 p.m.
Durango Herald
