New coach, new players dot Ganado football team

Posted by Quentin Jodie | Aug 22, 2024 | Football |

By Truman Begaye
Special to the Times

BURNSIDE, Ariz. – With the 2024 football season just days away, Ganado is gearing up with a new coach, new players, and a renewed sense of optimism.

Kevin Watchman, the new head coach for the Hornets, took the helm on the first day of school, bringing 15 years of experience across various sports, including his role as the head wrestling coach last year. He expressed high hopes for his team, stating, “We’re coming out here to win the region. We have some athletic ability, and we have some talent out here.”

The Hornets have faced some challenging seasons since the pandemic, with records of 3-6 for 2021, 2-8 for 2022, and 3-7 for 2023. The lack of a proper off-season workouts, with only five to six players participating in the summer program set up by the previous head coach, may have contributed to these results.

Watchman plans to change that by implementing a strength and conditioning program for his team. Returning to the coaching staff is Mike Bitsuie, the assistant coach who will likely be calling the offensive plays, bringing 15 years of experience with the Ganado football team.

Also, on the coaching roster this year is special teams coach Jeremy Nelson and offensive line coach Paul Peterson who bring an additional 15 years of coaching experience as well.

Offensively, Ganado returns with a relatively experienced lineup, led by senior quarterback Keeling Dawes, junior running back Dante Curtis, senior tide end/receiver Isiah Ivey, and junior Quentin Peshtony.

The offensive line, however, is relatively new, anchored by sophomore Romeo Baldwin and Kayden Harvey, a transfer from Shiprock High School.

The Ganado coach expects his offense to improve on last year’s average, as the Hornets put up four points per game.

With a limited roster of 31 players, 18 of whom are returning, Watchman anticipates some of his players will need to play iron man football.

Key defensive players include Dante Curtis anchoring the defensive line at defensive end, Quincy Peshtony leading the linebackers, and Keelin Dawes at cornerback. The defense faced many challenges last year, giving up an average of 39.8 points per game.

The Hornets’ schedule remains the same as last year as they honor the home-and-home series against their opponents. Ganado will open the season by traveling to Wickenburg on Aug. 23 to take on the Wranglers at 7:00 p.m. MST.

Wickenburg defeated Ganado 33-0 in their previous matchup. The Hornets will open their home season by hosting the Hopi Bruins on Aug. 30, a team Ganado dominated last year with a 36-8 victory. Other non-conference games include hosting Tuba City on Sept. 13 and traveling to play the River Valley Dust Devils Sept. 27 in Mohave Valley, Ariz. The non-conference schedule concludes with a home game against the Round Valley Elks.

The Hornets will open the 3A North conference by traveling to Winslow on Sept. 20 to take on the Bulldogs.

“If Winslow steps in our way, we have some athletic ability, and we have some talent,” Watchman said. “We just have to execute—do your job and execute. We can run with Winslow if (the) guys want to compete with Winslow.”

The conference schedule continues with a home game against Page on Oct. 4, followed by a trip to Monument Valley on Oct. 11 to face the Mustangs.

“Monument Valley is on our radar. I think we’re going to have a battle with them,” Watchman said about their matchup with last year’s 3A conference runner-up.

The Hornets will host the Chinle Wildcats on Oct. 25 and conclude the conference schedule with their rivalry game against the Window Rock Fighting Scouts on Nov. 1.

This year, the team is not only aiming to win the region but also hopes to make the playoffs and secure a rivalry win against Window Rock.

“(If we were allowed,) we definitely would like to take one of their cups,” Watchman said in reference to the Chinle/Window Rock Oozba Cup. “If we could get into that rivalry, we would definitely bring that cup to Ganado.”