2025 Damonte Ranch Mustangs Season Preview

2025 Damonte Ranch Mustangs Season Preview

By: J. Ray Dockter

We are now officially two weeks into football season in The Silver State, and I couldn’t be more excited. After a brief hiatus over the past two weeks, like Michael Jordan said “I’m Back” to finish up previewing many teams from our local area as well as a few other surprises, if time permits. Without further ado here is Today’s team: Damonte Ranch.

Damonte Ranch Mustangs

Head Coach: JJ Milan, second season at Damonte Ranch (6-5 overall, 4-1 league in one season at Damonte Ranch)

Previous Season Record: 6-5 overall, 4-1 league

Overview: At Damonte Ranch, Head Coach Jeremiah Milan enters his second season leading The Mustangs program after coming up just short of winning a regional championship last fall against south Reno rival Galena. While last year’s veteran squad went on a midseason five game winning streak and made a deep playoff push, this year’s team will feature a youthful roster. Coach Milan is preaching optimism and growth, emphasizing that this season is about developing talent and building chemistry to make another postseason run.

Offensively, the team will run a spread attack designed to get the ball to playmakers in space. This fall, the offense will be breaking in a new transfer quarterback, Junior Christian Diehl, who transferred in from Spanish Springs, and he will have the luxury of throwing to an elite wide receiver in Senior Amari Nash who is entering his third season as a two-way starter and committed to The University of Nevada earlier this summer. “The offense returns just a few starters from last season as we preach patience and competitiveness,” Coach Milan noted. The offensive unit will look to establish rhythm early in the season while relying on its skill positions to make game-changing plays.

The defense will line up in a 4-2-5 base, a scheme Coach Milan says, “fits our personnel.” The unit returns only a small handful of starters from a year ago, meaning several new faces will be counted on to step into bigger roles. A big loss for The Mustangs was felt on the defensive side as DE Zach Scott transferred to Coronado HS in Southern Nevada and The Langi brothers (D-Lineman) moved with eligibility remaining during the offseason. All three of those players as well as a few others were expected to be contributors for The Mustangs this season. The coaching staff will stress alignment, communication, and hustle to help the defense adapt quickly to varsity speed, in both games and practices. The ability to limit big plays and force turnovers will be critical to this group’s success.

When asked what will determine this year’s success, Coach Milan emphasized that “buying into the defense and our offense [will help in] keeping our team chemistry up.” He believes the strengths of this young team will be maximum effort, strong production from skill positions, and an effective running game. With 3-4 freshmen expected to contribute at the varsity level, the coaching staff is making it clear that age won’t be an excuse, and production is expected from day one.

While the roster may lack experience, the energy and hunger to compete are undeniable. If the young core can grow quickly and the veterans set the tone, The Mustangs could become a dangerous opponent by the end of the year. Coach Milan is confident that, with hard work and team unity, this year’s squad can build on last season’s success and continue moving toward a regional championship.

Potential Projected Starters:

Offense

QB Christian Diehl, Junior

RB Bradley Mayville, Senior

WR Amari Nash, Senior

WR Zeke Smith, Sophomore

TE Miah Milan, Freshman

OT Elias Tahu, Senior

OG John Montgomery, Sophomore

C Taylor Stanton, Junior

OG Riley Pearce, Senior

OT Jordyn Montgomery Rasner, Sophomore

Defense

DE Jackson Key, Senior

DT Axel Bravo, Sophomore

DT Elias Tahu, Senior

DE Sawyer Hakanson, Senior

OLB Zeke Smith, Sophomore

ILB Russell Stanley, Senior

ILB Ezra Lanui-Thomas, Junior

OLB Miah Milan, Freshman

CB Eljai Middleton, Freshman

CB Shane Stewart, Junior

SS Ryker Rahimzadeh, Freshman

FS Amari Nash, Senior

Special Teams

Kicker Shane Stewart, Junior

Punter Miah Milan, Freshman

Kick Returner Amari Nash, Senior

Punt Returner Zeke Smith, Sophomore

Season Schedule:

Aug. 22 vs. Hug

Aug. 29 vs. Faith Lutheran

Sep. 5 vs. Wooster

Sep. 12 at McQueen

Sep. 26 at Douglas

Oct. 3 Spanish Springs

Oct. 17 at Galena

Oct. 24 vs. Reed

Oct. 30 vs. Bishop Manogue

J. Ray Dockter has been covering high school sports since 2022. If you have a story worth telling let him know via Twitter/X @J_RayDoc.