Damonte Ranch Mustangs Season Preview
Updated: Aug. 15, 2024
By: J. Ray Dockter
We are now officially less than 18 hours away from kickoff for high school football in the Northern part of the Silver State. I couldn't be more excited, even though my writing schedule got mixed up a little bit I will still be doing team previews, and league previews amongst other articles over the next few weeks. Without further ado... Today's team: Damonte Ranch.
Damonte Ranch Mustangs
Head Coach: JJ Milan, first season at Damonte Ranch
2023 Season Record: 4-7 overall, 1-4 league
Overview:
Did I save the 'best' for last? or did I save the 'last' for last?
The Mustangs will show their progress on the field over the course of the next three months.
Does a new coaching staff signal a return to glory for this group of Mustangs?
Gone are Ty Gregg and Braelon Toles and in steps JJ Milan and Amari Nash.
What are the biggest differences that have taken place to this point?
Under former Coach Shawn Dupris Damonte Ranch had continued success for almost a decade and the new group of Mustangs coaches want to lean into that and add to it. Upon taking over as head coach the first thing JJ Milan said he needed to do was "change the culture," because our staff wanted the kids to "buy in and do their job." This included discipline and structure, [and] teaching our kids what it takes to win games. Milan said "we are the new us, the majority of our kids have bought in." Once the new coaching staff was in place they implemented their plan and now the kids must stick to it, Milan said "[his team] has been coachable, and they expect every player to bring value to the team." Milan said "we are putting it back together, moving forward, [and] we are excited because (outside) expectations are low, but our bar is high."
What they are saying: I had an opposing coach describe Damonte Ranch as "athletes, and big bodies all over the field, they can be as good as they want to be." Coach Milan stated that his team "will be prepared every week for their opponent." In my opinion the teams on Damonte's schedule better be prepared "To get the Mustangs this season, because for all intents and purposes, 'They are coming.'" Why do I say, "They are coming?" Milan has multiple varsity coaches in his program who are pulling double duty this fall as youth coaches. They include: LBs Coach and NFL Veteran Josh Mauga, who is the head coach of the 13U Mustangs team and Milan himself who is also the head coach of the 12U Mustangs. Milan has built an All Star cast of coaches around him for this season, they are Roderick Stallings (DBs), Chris Hines (OL), Adam Bishop (TEs), and Mo Otuafi (DL). He said his coaches are all 'Bought In.'
The biggest key to success for the Mustangs this season (according to their head coach) is to "learn in individual's and implement in team periods, don't revert back to old habits, this is the new us." During the summer session Milan said, "we want to make daily gains." He also went on to say that the Mustangs "expect to compete with everybody." The strength of the Mustangs this season will be their ability to run the ball behind their big, physical offensive line.
Offensively the Mustangs will work out of the "spread" base this season, 11 personnel with some heavy back. Milan said, "our goal is to establish the run, get downhill and be dynamic." The offense welcomes back seven returners led by Senior QB Joey Jamison and will be led by Moe Carter, who Milan described as "an offensive genius, works well with us, he's been around town for a long time." Look for Carter to develop Jamison into a signal caller that is capable of getting through his progressions and finding the right play whether it's mesh, screen, slant or checkdown. He can have a ton of success in Damonte's new offensive system.
Defensively, the Mustangs welcome back four starters from last season. They will be changing their base philosophy from a 3-4 (under the previous regime) last year to a 4-2-5 this season. Milan said, "[It] will help us be more aggressive, we will be swarming to the ball, moving our safeties around." He continued on saying, "we'll bring one [safety] down into the box as a 'Rover,' or 'Joker' so that we can blitz a lot. I'd expect that the back end will be in a lot of Cover-Zero and 'One' coverage playing heads up man on the outside if things work out the way Milan wants them to. "Our defense will need to be physical every play," Milan said. The area that has Milan most concerned heading into the season is his LBs lack of varsity experience, but he believes they'll be a strength by the middle of the season.
Players to Watch:
WR/DB Amari Nash, Junior: Nash, the recipient of a recent scholarship from Nevada, was described by Milan as "a phenomenal, aggressive, smart athlete that gives great effort every single play." If he plays up to his capabilities, he'll have lots of opportunities in all three phases of the game to make an impact and if he performs the way he can he is a possible 'Player of the Year' candidate.
RB Kobe Craig, Senior: Craig is a physical running back that runs downhill and puts a pounding on people. He isn't the biggest guy, but he plays behind his pads and lowers the boom. He has an opportunity to be really good this year. Milan said he plans to "get Kobe in space so he can make plays."
OT Dre Villanueva, Senior and OG Ronin Black, Senior: Described as 'The Leaders of the offensive line, they have big bodies and great feet.' Also strong in the weight room and hungry for better results than last year. Black was described by Milan as "[a] monster, [a] workhorse, someone who is going to have a huge season."
LB Willem DeHuff, Junior: Expected to play 'Mike" backer for the Mustangs this season after being a starter on the defensive line last season. If the Mustangs are going to be successful, this season DeHuff will be a catalyst.
DB Carsen Galvin, Senior: Galvin lays the wood and leads the defense and sets the standard for the Mustangs. Milan said, "He plays with a high level of tenacity, always swarming to the ball, [and] he is an outstanding player." The Mustangs expect big things from him this season.
Coach Milan also pointed to Seniors Luke Watson, OL; Zach Scott, TE and Joey Jamison, QB as team leaders and kids who will set the tone for the Mustangs this season.
Season Schedule:
Aug. 16 vs. Bishop Manogue
Aug. 24 at Truckee (Calif.)
Aug. 30 at Faith Lutheran (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Sep. 6 vs. Churchill County
Sep. 13 vs. Reed
Sep. 20 vs. Galena
Sep. 27 at Hug
Oct. 4 vs. North Valleys
Oct. 11 Bye Week
Oct. 18 at Wooster
Oct. 24 at Carson
J. Ray Dockter has been covering high school sports since 2022. If you have a story worth telling let him know via Twitter @J_RayDoc.
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