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Saguaro’s Devon Dampier ready to prove doubters wrong BY ZACH ALVIRA Progress Sports Editor
S
aguaro coach Jason Mohns scoffed at critics last season that thought his team wouldn’t have the success it did in the Open Division playoffs. The Sabercats were counted out against 4A Cactus in the �irst round of the state’s premier high school football playoff tournament. Saguaro won with relative ease. The next week against top-ranked Hamilton, the Sabercats were again counted out, but quarterback Devon Dampier shined. Dampier did the same against Chandler in the championship, rushing for 134 yards and throwing for 172 and two touchdowns in the Sabercats’ win. Yet, despite his performance, Dampier remains to be one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the state, according to Mohns. Many think of him as a one-dimensional player who would rather use his legs than throw through the air. This year, he and Mohns are out to prove that isn’t the case. “I showed I can pass a little bit, but nobody thinks I’m a real passer,” Dampier said. “I’m de�initely locked in with �ilm constantly learning coverages and different reads. I love competition. It’s what drives me to be the best and to be a better player.” When Dampier entered his freshman season at Pinnacle High School in Phoenix, some compared him to Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. He’s a wizard in the back�ield when under pressure, using his legs to evade defenders and extend plays. In the open �ield, his speed can help him gap would-be tacklers for extra yards. He also has the arm strength to �ind open wideouts down �ield. He was forced into a starting role with Pinnacle in the �irst year of the Open Division playoffs in 2019. JD Johnson, Pinnacle’s starter all season, was ruled out of the �irst round due to a heart condition
Saguaro senior quarterback Devon Dampier exploded onto the scene last year in the Open Division playoffs when he was named the starter after transferring to Pinnacle. He and the Sabercats proved doubters wrong by winning the state title, and now they aim to do it again. (Dave Minton/Progress Staff)
doctors found to be too much of a risk for him to suit up. The pioneers lost to Salpointe Catholic, which at the time featured current Ohio State safety Lathan Ransom, Texas running back and Heisman candidate Bijan Robinson and a slew of other players who are now playing high-level college football. The COVID year was hard on every team, including Dampier and the Pioneers. He decided to transfer to Saguaro before his junior season and missed the �irst �ive games. With that, he was forced into thirdstring reps in practice. That never bothered him. “When we really got into season mode, there’s not a lot of reps for a kid who has to sit the �irst �ive games,” Mohns said. “You have to prepare your starter and your backup. It really meant limited reps for Devon. He didn’t really start getting full reps until going into that week of the �irst round of the playoffs.
“For him to have a full spring, a full offseason to be the guy, he is just lights out.” Dampier was of�icially named the starter heading into the Open Division playoffs. The rest is history. Saguaro has a history of producing quarterbacks, most of which Mohns views as underrated. Luke Rubenzer was a catalyst to Saguaro’s success in establishing itself as a dynasty. At Cal-Berkeley, he made the switch to defensive back. Tyler Beverett carried on Rubenzer’s legacy and went on to play at Bucknell. He started three games last season and is entering his junior season. Ridge Docekal was next in line after Beverett, and he shined as a junior. He was thrust into competition with Dampier as a senior but made the most of it. He will be a freshman at Idaho this fall. Saguaro got an early taste of what Dampier could do in the playoffs. But now with a full season and the return of key players Deric English, Zaccheus Cooper and Jaci
Dickerson from injury, the Sabercats are ready to put teams on notice and prove they are ready to defend their title. “I thought we were pretty good last year, the bond was crazy,” Dampier said. “I played with them during youth ball, so just that connection we all have – obviously they’re great players. Connection and great players make anything great.” That won’t come easy, however. Saguaro has one of, if not the toughest schedules in the state. The Sabercats open with Bergen Catholic, a powerhouse program from New Jersey. That game is followed up by Queen Creek, an Open Division team last season, Chandler, Liberty and Highland in the middle of the season. Every week will be a physical test for Saguaro, but Mohns feels his team is ready for the challenge. Especially with a player like Dampier leading the offense. “The way he played on the biggest stage last year against national top-25 teams, the kid is unbelievable,” Mohns said. “I don’t know how you can say beating Hamilton and Chandler back-to-back was a �luke, because it wasn’t. In my opinion, he’s every bit of a power �ive quarterback. If he’s just patient, people are going to see that. “It’s going to be kind of like Brock Purdy. I feel like Devon is that guy and will be that guy in college.” Like his teammates and coach, Dampier is ready for the season. He embraces anyone that doubts him or his team. They know it won’t be an easy road to defend their title. They know they have a target on their backs. That comes automatically with a Saguaro uniform. Dampier has already embraced that mindset as one of the team’s leaders. “Me being a senior this year, one of the older guys, I’m de�initely feeling like a leader this year,” Dampier said. “I’m going to push everybody to be at their best. I have no problem with everyone giving us their best shot.”
