Durango High School Football

Disastrous second half for Spring Valley gives Durango big victory: Friday, October 1, 2010; Trailblazers outscore Grizzlies by 35 in the second half; By Case Keefer; Spring Valley prepared all week for the vaunted rushing attack of Durango’s Julio Mora and Donovan Smith. So, it caught the Grizzlies a bit off guard when much of the Trailblazers game plan revolved around moving the ball through the air with quarterback Chase Roberts.

Durango fights off Clark, holds on for 28-24 win: Friday, September 17, 2010; By Ray Brewer; The Durango High football team got more than it bargained for against visiting Clark, but avoided the upset with a 28-24 victory.

Durango breaks out of offensive slump, scores 74 in win: Saturday, September 11, 2010; By Ray Brewer; Even though Durango High football team held a 54-28 halftime lead Saturday against host Bonanza, coach Gary Maki didn’t feel the lead was safe. “I didn’t feel comfortable pulling my starters out after that first half,” Maki said. “The first half was just a track meet with points being scored.” Durango, however, was the only team that continued to score in the second half, prevailing 74-28 in the Southwest Division opener for both schools.

Basic erases deficit, makes statement with win against Durango: Saturday, September 4, 2010; By Ray Brewer; Benny Gutierrez wasn’t expected to be the Basic High football team’s feature running back Friday night. Then again, on a team of no stars where everyone doing their part is considered the key for success, Gutierrez’s three touchdown runs against host Durango shouldn’t be that big of a surprise.

Durango rallies from behind to beat Del Sol, 21-14: Friday, August 27, 2010; By Ray Brewer; Durango High quarterback Chase Roberts remembers the defeats. He remembers walking onto the football field and quickly realizing his team wasn’t going to win. But he also remembers then first-year coach Gary Maki preaching about how the Trailblazers would one day be one of the Las Vegas Valley’s top teams. That day came Friday.

Things are looking up at Durango: Monday, August 23, 2010; By Case Keefer; At least one of Durango’s assistant coaches has an unflattering nickname for head coach Gary Maki — the pessimist. Maki says he’s constantly nervous heading into the Trailblazers season. Instead of solely focusing on all the Trailblazers have returning, he sometimes bemoans the unexpected loss of a few returners in the offseason.

Julio Mora is ‘tough as hell,’ highlights Sun's preseason team: Friday, August 20, 2010; prep football: Eight from defending state champion Gorman, 12 other schools represented in elite group; By Ray Brewer; With the prep football season starting soon, the Sun today names its preseason all-star team. It’s a talented, tested group of players including Durango High’s tenacious running back.

Sun's all-decade team an elite and electrifying group: Friday, January 1, 2010; By Ray Brewer; Canyon Springs High football coach Hunkie Cooper remembers Friday nights during the fall of 2007 with a distinct fondness. He had one of the best seats in the house for the offensive juggernaut that was the Pioneers' attack. According to Cooper, if you showed up late for a Pioneers' game you would have missed part of the greatest high school football show the Las Vegas Valley had seen in years.

Cimarron-Memorial off to fast playoff start against Durango: Friday, November 6, 2009; By Case Keefer

Durango beats Bonanza 48-20 to finish regular season: Thursday, October 29, 2009; By Case Keefer

Durango continues winning streak, beats Western: Friday, October 23, 2009; By Case Keefer; Durango coach Gary Maki was in awe of his team’s 63-6 victory against Western on Friday night. Maki said he didn’t expect the Trailblazers to win in such dominating fashion.

Durango's Mora has four touchdowns in victory: Friday, October 16, 2009; PREP FOOTBALL:; By Ray Brewer; Julio Mora rushed for more than 200 yards and four touchdowns Friday night to lead Durango to a 60-20 victory against visiting Sierra Vista.

James Poole dazzles in Cimarron-Memorial victory over Durango: Saturday, October 10, 2009; By Anthony Fenech; James Poole runs. He runs fast. He spins, jumps, jukes, and when things are going well for him and his Cimarron-Memorial teammates, he finds himself standing on the sidelines, just the way he did for most of the second half Friday in the Golden Spartans’ 54-7 homecoming win over Durango.

Behind at half, Durango storms back to beat Pahrump Valley 49-7: Saturday, October 3, 2009; By Ray Brewer; Durango High’s strong start of the season was nearly washed away in one game.

Durango makes statement with 31-28 victory over Spring Valley: Saturday, September 26, 2009; By Case Keefer; To Durango coach Gary Maki, his team’s 31-28 victory against Spring Valley was more than a win. It was a statement. Consider it a warning, because Durango (4-1) has arrived.