New Del Sol coach hopes to return Dragons to playoffs

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013 | 10:25 a.m.

The Del Sol High football team has just a handful of seniors who played last year, a new head coach and will be breaking in a different offense.

For all intents and purposes, it appears to be a rebuilding effort this season. That’s just fine for coach Gary Maki, who believes winning could also be part of his inaugural campaign on the Dragons’ sideline.

“I know a lot of (outsiders) don’t feel this way, but I think we can surprise some people,” said Maki, who previously was the coach at Durango until 2011. “Our goal is the crack the playoffs.”

The Del Sol offensive line, led by senior Quincy Gibbons (6-foot,240 pounds) will be a strength and led the way for the pistol offense Maki has installed. Other members expected to contribute up front include senior tight end Leo Delatorre (6-foot-2, 225 pounds), senior Daniel Guadaramma and junior Daniel Tyus.

Quarterback Aaron Williamson, who played a handful of snaps last year in a reserve role, is getting more comfortable each day running the pistol. Austin Higgins and Trent Miller will get a bulk of the carries at running back.

“At times, we have looked good,” Maki said. “And, at other times, we have stunk up the place.”

Defensively, linebacker Miller (5-foot-11, 210 pounds), Delatorre at defensive end and Gibbons on the line will lead the way. Miller is the younger brother of Troy Miller, who quarterbacked Del Sol five seasons ago when it reached the state championship game.

However, in 2012 they missed the playoffs for the second straight season — a slide Maki, who replaces Preston Goroff, hopes to change.

“We have a lot of players coming together this season. We want to bring back the pride we lost the past couple of years,” Delatorre said.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21.