Built to Win
Dustin Peace had a feeling this was coming.
“To let the secret out of the bag a little bit, we’d kind of known the last couple years,” the long-time Canyon del Oro head coach to said to the “Zone Read” earlier this week.
While the Dorados have been a talented, consistent program in southern Arizona for well over a decade, this 7-0, Open Division-ranked version of the CDO football has certainly caught the attention of the entire state as the regular season winds down.
In many ways, this fall has been the perfect storm for the 4A program located six miles north of Tucson at the base of Pusch Ridge.
“This group is pretty special, we’re talented,” Peace continued. “We have good numbers which is key for a 4A team. We were super strong, even at a young level. We broke a lot of the freshmen records, JV records. We’ve had it circled. This is kind of the opportunity we’ve been waiting for.”
The Road Less Traveled
Coaches have the fortune, or in some cases, misfortune of finding out what the makeup of their team is during the 10-week episodic Friday night schedule.
CDO opened their campaign with a rain-soaked win over defending 3A State Champion Eastmark in Tucson, and most recently knocked Mica Mountain from the ranks of the unbeaten with a nail-biting 17-15 win as the Dorados snuffed out a potential game-typing two-point conversion in the closing seconds to win one of the most anticipated high school football game in Tucson in quite some time.
“We as coaches just keep checking off boxes for [game] situations we’ve been in and been successful in,” Peace said of the unique obstacles his team has faced thus far. “We know it will pay off as we keep going.”
Sandwiched in-between those games were victories over Bradshaw Mountain, Amphi, Marana, and others.
Another growing moment was the four-hour bus ride to Prescott Valley where the Dorados blew out Bradshaw, one of the top programs in northern Arizona 42-7 in a contest which they led from start to finish.
Canyon del Oro has outscored their opponents 270-91 entering their game this week against Pueblo. Peace noted some of those 91 points allowed have been late in games, sometimes with the outcome already determined.
Pounding the Rock
Tucson has produced a number of elite running backs, but none better than CDO alum Ka’Deem Carey. Later came younger brother Elijah Carey and the tone was set for the Dorados to be one of the most run-dominant teams in southern Arizona.
This year is no different as Canyon has rushed for 28 touchdowns and close to 2000 yards (276 per game) with still three regular season games to play.
The leader in the running back room is sturdy 5-foot-11, 220-pound senior Kayden Luke, a three-year varsity player who perfectly personifies CDO’s approach to wearing down opposing defenses with physicality in the run game.
SOUTHERN ARIZONA WEEK 8 STANDOUT@cdo_football RB Kayden Luke
13 rushes for 167 yards and 2 TDs
in the Dorados’ win over Catalina Foothills pic.twitter.com/bjCHyvk4Cj— AllSportsTucson.com (@AllSportsTucson) October 10, 2023
“You can hit rewind on a tape from 20 years ago and find a really back with a neck plate on and big ‘ole shoulder pads,” Peace said with glee. “That’s what he looks like and that’s how he plays. But he’s also shown the ability to score longer touchdowns. He had 27 carries for 150 yards against Mica, and that’s the best he’s been stopped this year.
“We can be physical…that’s always kind of been our go-to.”
Peace, in his 15th season as head coach (22nd overall on staff at the school), credits not only his experienced offensive line, but also CDO’s wide receivers for their willingness to block and help Luke, and others, make explosive plays on the ground.
Dorados Getting Defensive
CDO’s defense, in many ways, is a mirror image of their offense. Sound, steady, and reliable.
“When you run the ball, and you defend well, I think it goes hand in hand,” Peace explained. “That’s what we do. We tackle and we run. Our defense has really been our most consistent piece.”
Player of the Game@SWoodard55 of @cdo_football blocked a PAT in the first half and recorded a sack on Mica Mountain’s 2-point conversion attempt at the end in the Dorados’ 17-15 win over Mica Mountain. pic.twitter.com/vsJEMZ7Z6z
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) October 14, 2023
Vijay King, another multi-year varsity letterman continues to make plays all over the field and his gotten plenty of help from 6-foot-3, 300-pound Division I prospect Sa’Kylee Woodard, as well as junior Evan Greer who leads the teams in sacks (6.5) and tackles for loss (14.5). Add Grant Young’s 4.5 sacks and 7.5 TFL’s, along with Chase Laux’s five interceptions, and you have arguably the most complete unit in 4A on that side of the ball.
Peace is well aware a good defense always travels.
“If we can continue to do it defensively, we have a chance to make a run.”
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Eric Sorenson
A Valley native, Eric has had a passion for the Arizona sports scene since an early age. He has covered some of the biggest events including Super Bowls, national championships and the NBA and MLB playoffs in his near 20 years in local media.