Home News Football Guide:

Trailblazers aiming to build sense of stability

Richard Brian

Durango first-year coach Gary Maki, back left, has changed the culture with a Trailblazer program that went 2-8 last fall. Maki raves about, from left, tailback Romell Maxwell, defensive end David Benson and lineman Fernando Diaz.

By Christopher Drexel (contact)

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

Durango

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Durango team page & schedule
Durango roster
Colors: Purple and gold
Coach: Gary Maki, first year
Homecoming game: Oct. 3 against Pahrump Valley
Key players: RB/CB Romell Maxwell, RB/MLB Amean Galindo, QB/FS Thomas Flanigan, DL/OL Fernando Diaz, DL/OL David Benson
Prediction: Rough year; they miss the playoffs

Durango is looking for stability this fall as it opens the season with its third head coach in as many years.

That's exactly what new leader Gary Maki hopes to bring. Maki, who takes over for Bobby Reda, has experience in reviving programs. Last year as head coach of Rancho, Maki helped the Rams snap a 17-game losing streak and finish 5-5.

He enters a similar situation at Durango, which went 2-8 last year and saw the consolidation of its junior varsity team midway through the season due to a lack of players.

"We've had a defeatist attitude at times. When (my staff) first took over, it was almost like (the players) expected to lose," Maki said. "I have to change that. I've seen a big change since we’ve been here so far. I think we've already made a lot of progress."

Besides having a new coach, the Trailblazers will have mostly new personnel as they return six starters from last season.

"As a result, some sophomores got playing time before they were ready," Maki said. "Some were thrown to wolves because they had a warm body."

Still, Maki said with a newfound commitment he's noticed through spring and summer, Durango could surprise some teams.

"If I didn't think they had an upside, I wouldn't be here," he said. "I want them to realize I'm there for them. I think they've already seen I'm committed and that's why they've responded."

Romell Maxwell, who is expected to be the Trailblazers' featured running back, said the last three years have been tough while learning from three different coaches. But he and the team are stronger for it.

"It's taught me how to deal with different people and different situations," Maxwell said. "I'm really happy with coach Maki — the way he runs things, his whole crew."

Christopher Drexel is a reporter for the Home News. He can be reached at 990-8929 or christopher.drexel@hbcpub.com..