Del Sol football players Alvert Waltower, Julio Erazo, and Evan Williams before the 2015 Season.
Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015 | 2 a.m.
Del Sol season preview
Prep Sports Now
Diving into football
Las Vegas Sun sports reporters Ray Brewer and Case Keefer use their annual season-opening podcast to go team by team through Southern Nevada high school football. Which teams are the sleepers? Who's headed to the playoffs? Listen for analysis on those topics and more as Prep Sports Now kicks off for the new school year.
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The Del Sol High football team attempted fewer than 50 passes in nine games last season. Rather, the Dragons did their damage on the ground with seven running backs gaining more than 200 yards to help them finish with their best record since 2009 at 5-4 overall.
This season, coach Gary Maki aims for a more balanced attack on offense with hopes of leading the Dragons to their first postseason berth since 2010.
“We have diversified our offense,” Maki said. “We have tried to develop our passing game a little bit this year. Last year we were a run dominant team, and we couldn’t pass even though we worked on it. This year we will be more balanced and that will help our confidence.”
The Dragons didn’t complete a pass in seven games in 2014 but had a potent rushing attack. They ended the season on a two-game winning streak, piling up 986 rushing yards in those two contests alone.
Not only are running backs Jey Pete and Taariq Flowers two of Del Sol’s top returners, they are two of the Dragons’ lone returners. They graduated more than 20 players and will rely heavily on underclassmen this fall.
The Dragons will also be breaking in first-time starting quarterback in senior Bo Beagle, who Maki expects a breakout season from.
“If they mature quickly it’s not a bad thing,” Maki said of the younger players. “The future is bright for us but this year we have some question marks. The young guys have to mature quickly and we have to stay healthy. I think the seniors know what we’re up against but they are working hard.”
While Del Sol will be young at most positions, its linebackers are experienced. Senior Evan Williamson (6 foot, 175 pounds) and Alvert Waltower (5-foot-7, 150 pounds) helped Del Sol limit opponents to 24 points per game last season. In the Dragons’ five wins, they surrendered just 13 points per game.
“We need to stay aggressive,” Williamson said.
With a limited number of seniors on each side of the ball, the pressure will be on them to guide this young team if they are to break through into the playoffs. On offense, that leadership falls on the shoulders of tight end Julio Erazo.
“There is pressure but I think I can handle it and push this team forward,” Erazo said. “I expect big things for this year.”
