Chaparral, Durango hope to emerge as darkhorse

Steve Cunningham

Thursday, Oct. 30, 1997 | 11:56 a.m.

Jordan Phee simply thought he was entering the second year of rebuilding the football program at Chaparral.

Coming off a 4-4 season a year ago, the Cowboys were young and untested when the fall began. It showed in a 35-0 loss to Cimarron-Memorial in their opener, then tough losses to Western and Rancho dropped Chaparral to 0-3.

"We were hoping for another .500 season and the way we started, it wasn't looking good," Phee said.

It's seven weeks later and take a look at Chaparral now. The Cowboys won five of their final six games to clinch the Sunrise Division's No. 2 seed and will host Durango in the opening round of the playoffs tonight.

Excitement is high at Chaparral and Phee and his troops aren't satisfied -- they want more.

"We're glad to be in the playoffs but now that we're here, let's do a good job," Phee said. "This is a new experience for us. You're almost in a state of shock practicing after the season is over and we've got the home field for our first playoff game. It's a great atmosphere around here right now."

Durango will provide a tough test for the Cowboys. The Trailblazers won six games this season but felt they didn't get their due. It's true Durango didn't put up much of a fight against Cheyenne, Cimarron-Memorial and Santa Margarita out of California -- one of the nation's top teams. Still, there are several impressive victories to crow about and coach John Mausbach isn't afraid to do so.

"We're the only team in town who beat Valley and Western," Mausbach said. "We went 6-3 and some people don't give us much credit. The teams that beat us weren't any slouches. They were good teams and we beat some good teams."

An offensive show could be on tap. Chaparral quarterback Tyson Dobbs was marvelous down the stretch, running the team with confidence and providing a spark on the ground and with his arm. Verwon Washington and Mario Hagan are a good rushing combo and Antoine Fowler will get plenty of snaps against Durango.

Chaparral averaged 25 points a game after being shut out in the opener.

"I think the offense has evolved over the course of the season," Phee said. "Tyson has become a real threat running and passing."

Durango, on the other hand, had big offensive nights but was shut out twice and scored just a lone touchdown against Cimarron. That surprised Mausbach, who thought the offense was the least of his worries.

"We knew, coming in, our defense would be suspect," he said., "but the offense could put some points on the board. I was disappointed in a few games, especially against Cheyenne (a 21-0 loss). We didn't come to play."

The key for the Trailblazers is running back Alex Dixon, who rushed for close to 1,000 yards and scored eight touchdowns. When he gets his yards, quarterback Scott Freel has more time to pass and be successful, as his 1,166 yards and 11 touchdowns attest. Wide receiver Jason Carpenter is Freel's favorite target and has scored six touchdowns.

Establishing the running game is Durango's No. 1 priority tonight.

"When Alex rushes for over 100 yards, we're usually in the ballgame," Mausbach said. "If our offensive line isn't doing well, they'll throw eight, nine men up front at us and then Scott doesn't have any time to throw."