Sadly, the football season has come to a conclusion for the Damonte Ranch Mustangs. There are still some who remember the days when the team’s season did not end in the playoffs. Since the arrival of Coach Shawn Dupris, the Mustangs have made the playoffs every single year with the lone exception being the 2020/2021 spring season when there were no playoffs. Here is a year-by-year look at the Mustangs playoff history under Coach Dupris
2012 – defeated Reno and McQueen, lost to Reed in the Northern Championship
2013 – defeated McQueen, lost to Carson in the second round
2014 – lost to Hug in the first round
2015 – lost to Reno in the first round
2016 – defeated McQueen, Reno, and Reed, winning the North, before losing to Liberty in the State Semifinal
2017 – defeated McQueen, lost to Reed in the second round
2018 – defeated Reed and McQueen, lost to Manogue in the Northern Title Game
2019 – defeated Reno and Reed, lost to Manogue in the Northern Title Game
2020 – no playoffs due to Covid
2021 - defeated Reno, lost to Manogue in the second round
PLAYOFF NUMBERS
9 – straight playoff appearances in years when the playoffs have taken place
7 – second round appearances
3 – Northern Title Appearances
2* - Northern Titles
*The NIAA named Damonte the 2020 Northern Champions
THIS SEASON BY THE NUMBERS
16 – touchdown passes for junior quarterback Cooper Anderson
1507 – yards gained by running backs Mason Reasoner, senior, and Cameron Rodriguez, junior
7 – touchdowns by junior wideout Drew Vargas who had 36 receptions
103 – total yards gained per game by senior running back Mason Reasoner (runs, receptions, returns)
56 – points scored by senior running back Mason Reasoner
149 – tackles by junior Michael Venezia
9 – sacks this season by sophomore Braelen Toles
3 – interceptions by senior Maurice Coleman this season
1 – punt block by junior, Jett Norman
24.8 – yards per kick return by junior, Jett Norman
36 – total points scored by, junior, Joe Brown, this season; Brown went 21-22 on extra points
RECAP
The Mustangs were true road warriors the first half of the season, playing their first five games on the road. Covid impacted the first half of the season, changing game locations, opponents, and shaking up the lineup. The team started 0-3 before finding their footing at Acalanes (CA), picking up their first win of the season. They followed the Acalanes win with four more before losing at Manogue on October 22nd. Prior to the Manogue game, the team defeated the Galena Grizzlies, 46-8, securing possession of the Cross Saw for another year. The Mustangs hosted a first round playoff game, holding off a stout Reno Huskies squad before losing a second-round matchup with Manogue, closing out the season. Post-season honors have not been announced yet.
NEXT UP
Basketball, wrestling, and cheer seasons! Last year, due to Covid, the only two sports that did not get to have a season were basketball and wrestling. Expectations are high for both the varsity girls and boys basketball programs at Damonte Ranch.
The girls are led by Head Coach Erika McKenzie and seniors Seini Tuipulotu, Khalilah Corley, Arden Orton, and Emilie Tierney. The team has put a lot of work in and there will be some new faces this season. Their season opener is at Damonte on Tuesday, November 30th, 5:15 PM tipoff, hosting the McQueen Lancers.
The boys are under the guidance of Head Coach Brian Voyles. Look for Rex Thorson and Angus Young to set the pace for the Mustangs this season who, like the girls, will also have a lot of new faces. Their opener is also Tuesday, November 30th, 7:00 PM tipoff, hosting the McQueen Lancers.
There is not a lot known about the wrestling team at this point, but they will have a home meet on Wednesday, January 19th. Senior Ilex Garcia has represented Damonte at State twice, as a freshman and then again as a sophomore. If you have never been to a high school wrestling met, make it a priority, and get to the Big Gym at Damonte on January 19th, 4:00 PM.
Finally, the Damonte Ranch Cheer Team will be entering their competition phase this winter. Krystal Evans is their head coach and has built one of the premiere cheer programs on the West Coast. Look for the Mustangs to advance to the USA Cheer Nationals and to compete for another National Title.
ABOUT YOUR AUTHOR
Lynn Ault covers Damonte Ranch Athletics for Battle Born Preps. His wife is the head of the math department at Damonte Ranch where he also announces football, basketball, and wrestling. Ault’s has two DRHS graduates, a daughter that played basketball and cheered, and a son who played football. He is also the youth pastor for Hope Community, a church located in south Reno.
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