Saguaro football’s one-two QB punch adds new dimension
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (BVM) – Urgency is the word that best encapsulates Saguaro High School’s 2021 football season, and it was born during a Covid-shortened season in 2020.
“After last season, only playing six games and having Covid take away the rest of our season, my heart just really went out to the seniors,” senior quarterback Ridge Docekal said. “Me and the guys just really got to work in the offseason and we’ve been after this gold ball since January.
“It’s been a long time coming and we’re nearing the final stretch … but urgency has been a big word for us and our team.”
The Sabercats’ sense of urgency was temporarily halted in Week 3 during a 27-26 road loss to Chaparral following a 2-0 start. Saguaro’s vaunted defense allowed 413 total yards of offense and 20 second-half points.
But that early-season loss jumpstarted a five-game winning streak that the Sabercats are currently on. Saguaro has now scored at least 43 points in four of its last five games and earned an impressive out-of-state win over Sierra Canyon (California) in Week 6.
“The loss to Chaparral kind of put things into perspective for us and really brought us closer,” Docekal said. “We just really started playing playoff football every week because we really couldn’t lose another game. I feel like that (loss) helped us almost in a sense.”
Docekal has been reliable behind center for the Sabercats (7-1) and had his best games of the season following the let down that was the loss to Chaparral, completing 83% of his passes for a combined six touchdowns and zero interceptions in wins over Salpointe Catholic and Maricopa. The three-star Idaho commit has thrown for 1,340 yards and 12 touchdowns to just two interceptions during his senior campaign, but luckily for Saguaro, the perennial powerhouse program has two more-than-capable QBs.
Midseason Highlights (5 Games)
72.2% Completion
#4 in the State all Divisions / #1 in the State 5A (minimum 70 attempts)143.8 QBR
#2 in the State / #1 5A15.6 Yard Average per completion
4.03 GPAhttps://t.co/H7NMzKUwpc
— Ridge Docekal (@RidgeDocekal) October 14, 2021
Junior Devon Dampier, who already holds an offer from Arizona, transferred to Saguaro from Pinnacle in April and added immense talent to an already gifted QB room. The dual-threat’s transfer has increased the level of competition at the team’s most important position and given this Sabercats offense a new wrinkle for defenses to prepare for.
“He’s (Dampier) a super dynamic player and adds a new aspect to the game with his legs,” Docekal said. “He’s a really explosive and great kid with a bright future ahead of him. I just really enjoy competing with him every day and he’s a hell of a ballplayer so he makes our team better.
“It’s super tough for a defense to defend when you have to load the box then you have me come throw and then we put Devon in and have him throw and make some moves on some kids to run for a ton of yards. It’s tough to defend so it’s kind of like a one-two punch.”
Docekal, the Sabercats and the entire Saguaro community have done a great job of welcoming Dampier since his transfer in the spring. After throwing for 1,249 yards and 12 touchdowns in seven games as a sophomore at Pinnacle, the junior QB said the transition has been “better than even I could’ve expected.”
“I definitely knew what I was coming into, but the love from the coaches, the players, the fans, the school and the teachers has been great.” Dampier said. “It’s definitely the fit for me.”
Dampier’s Saguaro debut was delayed after he was forced to sit out the first five games of the season due to the transfer rule, but head coach Jason Mohns has slowly worked his new QB into the fold ever since.
After attempting just 11 combined passes over his first two appearances in wins over Sierra Canyon and Horizon, Dampier saw his most game action of the season last Friday night during a 43-7 win over Campo Verde. He completed 9-of-10 passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns while also adding 61 yards on the ground.
Man I love it here 🖤🐯🏈💛 First 3 games @saguarofootball @CoachMohns #S/OtheOline https://t.co/pE6L1Xqmgm
— Devon Dampier (@Devonddampier) October 31, 2021
“It felt great,” Dampier said of his first extended game action with Saguaro. “I’ve definitely been waiting for this opportunity.”
While it’s clear that Docekal is the starter and an unquestioned team leader, Dampier is a weapon that will likely see more opportunities as the playoffs inch closer.
Saguaro won six consecutive state titles from 2013-18 and finished as the Open Division runner-up in 2019 after an 11-2 season which means this program’s expectations are always sky high. With two stud QBs, senior leaders like Javen Jacobs, Bryan Bogardus and Tristan Monday along with a defense that’s allowing just 13 points per game, the Sabercats’ eyes are fixated on a gold ball.
“Our peak is the gold ball; I know we can compete with the best of the best in Arizona,” Docekal said.
Dampier feels the same way as his fellow QB, and there’s no doubt that those two will play a major factor on how Saguaro’s season ends.
“The way we’ve been playing, I don’t see anybody really hanging with us right now,” Dampier said. “I don’t want to talk too early, but I can definitely see us winning a championship this year.”
