2015 Durango Football Capsule
DURANGO
League: Division I Southwest
Head coach: Matt Gerber, fourth season (6-22)
2014 record: 1-8 (0-4 Southwest, fifth)
Returning lettermen: 13
Returning starters: Seven offense, six defense
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: 40
Top offensive players: RB Leontre Austin (Sr.); QB Jon Schofield (Jr.); WR Jayson Johnson (Jr.); WR Troy Smidt (Sr.); WR Seth Garcia (Sr.); OL Rudy Juarez (Sr); OL Jesus Solis (Sr.)
Top defensive players: DE Kenneth Miller (Sr.); LB Seth Garcia (Sr.); LB Brent Gray (Jr.); DB Jayson Johnson (Jr.); DB Zayvion Wilson (Jr.); DB Jacob Bourgault (Jr.)
Top newcomers: WR Isaiah Johnson (Sr.); DB Payton Scott (So.); WR Tai Foster (So.); WR Marquelle Diggs (So.); RB/DB Tarron Brumfield (Jr.)
Key losses: LB Artie Gallegos; WR/DB Daniel Medina; OL/DL Elijah Colbert
Outlook: The Trailblazers struggled mightily on both sides of the ball last season.
They averaged just 11.8 points and scored more than 20 points only once in a 33-25 win over Bonanza.
On defense, they allowed an average of 47 points and gave up 40 or more in all four league games.
Gerber said the team only has 31 players, but has solid experience on both sides of the ball.
Austin is back at running back after leading the team with 364 rushing yards and three TDs last fall. He also led the team in receiving with 23 catches for 135 yards.
Schofield is back at quarterback where he passed for 558 yards and five TDs with eight interceptions.
Miller should lead the defense. He had 63 tackles last season and will need to help replace graduated linebacker Gallegos, who led the squad with 107 tackles.
"With that veteran leadership and the addition of some new talent, the Blazers' goal is to return to the playoffs after a two-year hiatus," Gerber said.
