Del Sol football out for redemption after rocky season last fall

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Friday, Sept. 7, 2012 | 2:05 a.m.

The Del Sol High football team missed the playoffs last fall for just the second time since the school opened in 2004.

The Dragons were the Sunrise Region champs and state runners-up in 2009, and reached the Sunrise title game four straight seasons for 2006 to ‘09. But last year, they under-achieved for arguably the first time in program history in finishing with a 4-5 overall record.

When the players arrived for offseason conditioning during the spring, coach Preston Goroff could have easily made the failures of last fall the rallying cry in motivating his players. But, just like he did the spring after reaching the state title game, Goroff elected not to harp on the past.

“We didn’t talk about last year at all,” said Goroff, who is the only coach in school history and has a 57-35 career record. “We don’t talk about three years ago, either. The only thing we have been talking about is Cimarron (who they play Friday). We are a week-by-week team. There’s no reason to focus on last year.”

Del Sol’s bread and butter each fall is its power running game. However, last year, they simply didn’t have the personnel at several spots to execute the strategy.

“The biggest thing is we are putting a much greater emphasis on the weight room and the commitment to our off-season program,” Goroff said.

The feature running back in Del Sol’s offense typically posts big numbers, with players such as Derek Eamon, Dezerick Reed and Chris Marshall thriving during the program’s past playoff runs.

This year, senior Lamar Cameron (5-foot-9, 175-pounds) could enjoy similar success. “He’s a stud,” Goroff said.

Additionally, Goroff will rely on California transfers Romance Oliver and Tyrone Rouse, who will see significant action on both sides of the ball at wide receiver and safety. The line will be anchored by returners Otto Fuentes, Weston Robinson and Eric Brown at center.

Defensively, Javon Blount on the defensive line and Andrew Bryan at linebacker are expected to lead the way.

At this time last year, Goroff was talking about contending for a championship. This year, he’ll be happy reaching the playoffs.

“It goes in cycles,” the coach said. “Unless you are one of the top three teams in town, you’ll eventually be on the wrong part of the cycle.”

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21.