Desert Pines hoping to return to, excel in playoffs

By Brent Hinckley

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Desert Pines has been a fixture in the Sunrise Regional playoffs since the school opened in 1999, making the postseason seven of the last nine years.

“We plan on being there again this year,” Jaguars coach Paul Bennett said.

But their last postseason win came in 2003 when they reached the state semifinals.

“I’ve never made it past the first round and that’s motivating me this year,” senior running back Dennis Scott said. “It was disappointing we didn’t do it last year when we had all that talent.”

Desert Pines finished third in the Northwest Division in 2007 but lost to Del Sol 49-7 in the Sunrise quarterfinals.

The Jaguars graduated a number of key players including running back Michael Ball, who is now at UNR.

Desert Pines returns its starting quarterback, junior Dalton Leilua. Leilua completed 97 of 186 passes for 1,323 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore.

“We had some really talented guys last year, but I think we are even better now,” Leilua said.

Leilua is one of the many underclassman who will fill out the Jaguars’ roster this season, but Bennett won’t use that as an excuse.

“We’re really young, but they’re experienced,” Bennett said.

The Jaguars had the division’s second best defense last season, allowing 276 points. Scott, who also plays defensive end, and senior linebacker Keorris Berry are two of the seniors Bennett is counting on to lead the defense.

“Guys like Dennis and Keorris make an impact. They provide a lot of leadership,” Bennett said. “We have a strong linebacker corps, and our secondary is looking really good.”

Scott, who rushed for 37 yards on nine carries in 2007, said the biggest difference this year is the team’s work ethic.

“We’re getting better at it. It wasn’t really there when we started camp, but now we’re progressing,” Scott said.

Brent Hinckley is a reporter for the Home News. He can be reached at 990-2687 or [email protected].