Dos Palos High football hoping stable of offensive weapons paves way for success this year
You can hear the excitement in quarterback Peyton Van Worth’s voice when he talks about the weapons he has around him on the Dos Palos High School football team.
The Broncos have a big-play threat at receiver in Sixto Ibarra, a Swiss Army knife in Drake Hennagan — who can line up in the backfield or in the slot — and an electric running back in sophomore Andre Flores.
“I know where ever I throw the ball there’s a good chance we’re going to come down with it,” said Van Worth. “We’ve got a chance to make a play.”
“We’ve got skill guys better than anyone around,” added Dos Palos head coach Rob Calvert.
The Central Section power enters the season ranked third all-time in the state in wins with 679, according to CalHiSports.com. Only Long Beach Polly (808 wins) and Bakersfield (806) have more all-time wins in the state.
The key to the Broncos success this season may hinge on how quickly a young offensive line can gel together. Dos Palos returns only two starters up front in Esteban Hernandez and Nate Hinojosa.
If the Broncos can give Van Worth time, they know he’ll make play.
The Dos Palos senior threw for 1,876 yards and 18 touchdowns last season to go along with 562 rushing yards and another nine scores.
“He has experience and knowledge of the game,” Calvert said. “He’s grown up around the game. He brings leadership and he can manage a game. He’s the whole package because he can throw it and run it.”
Flores gives the Broncos an explosive weapon in the running game. Flores rushed for 737 yards and seven touchdowns in just six games as a freshman last year, including a 253-yard, two-touchdown performance in a 28-27 playoff win against Morro Bay.
“Andre is electric,” Van Worth said.
Calvert compares Flores to some of the great running backs in Dos Palos history.
“He’s hard to get a hold of,” Calvert said. “He has that shiftiness. He can put his foot in the ground and he’s gone. He’s got the ability of guys like Kenny James and Rodney Davis, he’s just not as big as those guys. He’s got that speed and agility.”
The Broncos started slow last year, losing their first four games before finishing the season with a 7-6 record.
Dos Palos hopes to avoid those growing pains early this year.
“Last year we had to find a way to finish games,” Calvert said. “We lost three of those early games even though we were winning in the fourth quarter. We expect to be in a lot of close games again this year. It’s going to come down to the fourth quarter and we’ve got to find a way to win.”
Dos Palos High’s 2023 Football Schedule
Aug. 18 at Los Banos
Aug. 25 at Summerville
Sept. 1 vs Liberty
Sept. 8 vs Pioneer Valley
Sept. 22 at Chowchilla
Sept. 29 vs Avenal
Oct. 6 at Mendota
Oct. 13 at Tranquillity
Oct. 20 vs Firebaugh
Oct. 27 vs Coalinga
