Bulldogs have new QB to start season

By Bruce Whetten

Douglas Dispatch
Published/Last Modified on Thursday, June 21, 2012 11:06 AM MDT


The Douglas Bulldogs will have a new quarterback under center when the season begins in August.


DHS sophomore Blaze Rose (in the middle) has been named the Bulldogs starting quartback this year replacing Grant Watkins who will move back to tailback. The Bulldogs begin football practice Aug. 6; their first game is Aug 24 at home against Empire. Bruce Whetten/Douglas Dispatch

Football coach Dick Keith confirmed last week that sophomore Blaze Rose will take over the quarterback duties replacing senior Grant Watkins who will move to tailback.

Rose, 5’7”, 150 pounds, is the son of former DHS quarterback David Rose who had a promising high school career under Keith in the late 1980’s. David, ironically, is now a volunteer assistant with the team adding a new perspective to the coaching staff.

David said Blaze barely started playing football as a freshmen.

“He has very little varsity experience; got in against Bisbee but he comes from good (blood) lines and he’s a good athlete,” Coach Keith said during practice last week.

Keith said he is grateful to Watkins and what he did for the team the past two seasons but that Watkins was basically playing out of position just trying to help the team.

Watkins is now back at his true offensive position, the coach said.

The coach added after watching Blaze in practice last year and seeing his progress, plus knowing his dad and the background there, he felt this was a move he needed to make.

“He throws a great ball,” the coach said. “He himself has improved so much in the weight room. He squats over 400 (pounds). He’s quick, a very intelligent young man and he’s going to fit in with what we want to do offensively.”

The coach said he will not change the offense all that much this year but may run out of the I-formation a little more with Watkins being the I-back.

Keith said he now has the next three years with Blaze at quarterback and the way he’s grasping the game by his senior year, watch out.

“This is a mutual move between Grant, myself and his parents along with Blaze’s dad David,” the coach said. “We have everyone’s blessing. We feel this is a good move.”

The coach also took a moment to praise his linemen who have worked hard in the weight room.

“They’re very coachable,” he said of his linemen. “They’re all squatting well over 400 pounds. … They’re doing everything we ask for.”

Keith said he still doesn’t have some players out for summer ball that he wishes were out.

“Our numbers are decent,” he said. “There are a number of individuals I am disappointed in that are not here but we getting there. … We’re going to work hard this summer and put a product on the field Douglas fans can appreciate.”

The coach added there are going to be quiet a few sophomores on the varsity this year.

“We got good speed,” Keith said. “Dillion (Guerrero) is running a 4.3 40. We’re looking at putting him on the edge out there. That’s as fast as anybody in the conference.”

Nick Ortega will look to join Watkins in the backfield blocking for him at fullback.

When asked how he felt about being named the starting quarterback going into the 2012 season Blaze said it feels pretty good.

“A lot of the guys are picking me up and showing me what to do,” he said. “We’re in this as a team.”

Blaze did not playing football until his freshmen year but said he did throw the ball around with his dad in the backyard prior to his freshmen year.

“The future looks good for us,” he said. “We’re coming together pretty strong with Grant as a running back, our front line and some quick receivers we should be pretty good this year.”

The Bulldogs begin practice Aug. 6. The first game is Aug. 24 at home against Empire.

Copyright © 2013 Douglas Dispatch

Comments

    92 Bulldog wrote on Jul 12, 2012 7:24 PM:

    " Just to add fuel to the fire,look who is on the list of QBs to watch!
    hsarizona.scout.com/2/1201922.html "

    Football Critic wrote on Jul 5, 2012 4:47 PM:

    " Negative talk comes with losing teams. The Bulldogs have not had great seasons since the 70's. The Bulldogs had winning seasons, but what team wouldn't with the schedule they had. Keith is not a great coach, but not a bad coach either. I had the opportunity to see Rose's games last year, and first thought was, "Who is that kid?" Watkins does not belong at QB, but understood why he was put there. This is a great move, and hope Rose gets great effort from the team's defense, which has been lacking for decades. I have analyzed other teams like Nogales, CDO, Ironwood Ridge, Sabino, and other good teams so I know the game. Dont criticize the fans or parents, they just want to start winning. on the other side, parents... Let the coaches do their job, you dont have no say so. Dont try to do the coaches job. The coaches dont try to do yours as a parent. I am a former Bulldog working with Tucson Athletes; however, still follow and cheer for the Bulldogs. "

    90-91 playerfan wrote on Jun 28, 2012 1:17 PM:

    " Hmmmm. Something fishy. David has his foot in on the baseball field now on the football field. Really He was a star QB? I think our receivers made him look good "

    Better RB wrote on Jun 28, 2012 11:31 AM:

    " Watkins is a better RB then QB! He will have a better chance of playing at the next level if he stays in the RB roll.

    IF you do not like the decisions made, then you should apply to be the coach next year....

    Put up or please shut up and leave these decisions to to current coach!!!

    96 Dawg! "

    GO BULLDOGS wrote on Jun 27, 2012 9:16 PM:

    " Coach Keith, make your decisions as you see fit for the team. As well as former player from 90-91, I too am one of your former players. It always amazes me how every year we have the great internet coaching staff come out of the wood work and give their 2 cents on how the Douglas Bulldog Football team should be coached........but they never have to the heart to tell you in person or better yet apply for the job. Good Luck this year and as always GO BULLDOGS! "

    Parent wrote on Jun 27, 2012 8:37 PM:

    " I saw Grant Watkins last week, he reminds me of what an "All American" should be. When I asked how football was going, he responded great! He had nothing but good things to say about his coaches and team mates. I asked about the quarterback situation, he stated that we have a whole different team and a young team, and changes were made. He was excited about positions he was going to be playing, on both sides of the field and had a positive attitude . Clearly this kid is a team player, and is not a selfless player. We should want all of our athletes to be like this. We should give coach Keith credit for a player like this. "

    Bulldog 91 wrote on Jun 27, 2012 12:46 PM:

    " Coach Keith...Hang in there. It seems that parents these days, all they do is complain and whine about their baseball, football coaches. Just cause their kid is sitting the bench. They all say the same thing.."The coach plays his favotites"..Bull!!!Kids these days are not dedicated. Only a few are. And I believe (know) that Blaze Rose is a hard dedicated athlete. Props to his parents, for being involved as much as they are. I know David and Lucinda, and they support their kids to the fullest extent. So please lay off the kid... Has some faith in the coaching staff, both in Football and in baseball..Let them do their job. Just cause a kid is a star in little league or pop warner does not punch their ticket to a starting role in varsity level.. "

    former player 90-91 wrote on Jun 26, 2012 3:01 PM:

    " I had the great pleasure of playing for Coach Keith in 1990 and 1991. I am surprised at all comments of late. I believe Coach Keith's last three teams have reached the state playoffs, I know as I have been every playoffs game in Phx. the last three years. In 2005 I believe Coach Keith was a VOLUNTEER Coach for Necas as the offensive coordinator the team reached the playoffs, In 1990 we reached the playoffs and beat Kingman, In 1991 we again made it to the playoffs we lost to Peoria. So here is a coach that I believe has coached eight years at the varsity level one of those years as a volunteer and in six of those eight years the Bulldogs have made it to the playoffs. Very sad.....

    Coach Keith I am very proud to have played for you. It seems however in Douglas, there will always be those who you cannot please and in my opinion are simply mean in spirit.

    Hope to see at the playoffs this year Coach. "

    former DHS coach wrote on Jun 26, 2012 2:12 PM:

    " Hang in there coach Keith, knowing you the way I do, these negative comments have no effect on you. However reading all of the negative comments reminds me of the old saying,"never wrestle with a pig both of you get dirty and the pig enjoys it" "

    Former Bulldog wrote on Jun 25, 2012 11:04 PM:

    " I was a former football player. I played for Keith my junior and senior year. He made good decisions in the 09'-10' season. But yet the next season, 10'-11' he didn't really care that much. He had good talent with his seniors like Linebacker Hunter Long,kicker Michael Abrigo and other that i can't remember but yet he didn't do a thing for them to go play at college level. He should of helped them and should of taken care of his kicker, no one had the kicking ability like Michael had, it was very sad to see him on the sidelines, in cruches. I saw him make a 63 yard field. And so did Keith. Shouldn't you do something immediately when you see something like that happen?? Hunter was just an animal at defense. He dedicated his 4 years of High school football as part of his life. He would eat, sleep and think about football. But yet his Father help his son to get a scholarship to play at a college football level. I am glad he is still playing football at a college level. Congrats Hunter. Keith needs to be replaced. Grant needs to stay at the quarterback position where he has done an amazing job. "

    Aquiles wrote on Jun 24, 2012 11:58 PM:

    " What in the world is this coach thinking...replacing a mature good quaterback with a "who knows what" inexperianced person is unacceptable..just because a person comes from a family that more or less played the game..doen't meke that person a star. "

    Pop Warner All American wrote on Jun 24, 2012 11:13 PM:

    " Small town drama! I love it!

    Let's get to the heart of this. Blaze didn't play Pop Warner and the expert coaches/parents who think they know more than Vince Lombardi ain't happy.

    Go Bulldogs! See you at State (again) this year!!! "

    Say with Success wrote on Jun 24, 2012 9:54 AM:

    " Coach Keith took a ragtag team and and brought them to the playoff "consistently" you cannot argue that Fact. These kids are out there practicing in the hottest temperatures, giving their all to be a Bulldog football player. To those of you being so critical shut the heck up and let the coach lead his team, rather than be critical be supportive. If you aren't then you have ulterior motives for this negative talk, it's personal no doubt, maybe "your" kid didn't make it. Thanks Coach Keith for bringing our kids to a level worthy of their commitment!!!! "

    Bulldog Fan wrote on Jun 23, 2012 9:25 AM:

    " It's time for a new coach "

    T wrote on Jun 23, 2012 8:56 AM:

    " I haven't seen Blaze play football, but I know he is a very good athlete. This story reads more about Keith's enamorment with his history with Blaze's dad. Look at David now, he is certainly not the promising athlete he should have been. I wish the best for Blaze and I strongly hope that he developes into the athlete he can be. "

    Farley wrote on Jun 23, 2012 6:27 AM:

    " Only in Douglas do the coaches have to make a "mutual move...." What happen to the real coaches who decided what was best for the squad and not involving parents? "

    Fan wrote on Jun 22, 2012 4:57 PM:

    " There is no way this QB beat out Watkins- What's really the story?? Is Watkins moving? Did you interview Watkins? "

    former player wrote on Jun 22, 2012 4:53 PM:

    " to put someone as a QB because he comes from good (blood) lines, does not seem right. There are other QB's that have played JV and Varsity and have more expierence. It appears the reason this kid got the position is because of his dad,who played for Keith,and who is now coaching-It is time for a new Varsity football coach- Did this new QB even try out for the position?? "

    Bulldog 90-91 wrote on Jun 22, 2012 4:02 PM:

    " R we going to question the track record of a coach that has put us in the playoffs succesfully in the past two decades, and just recently. U have my support Coach. "

    Hmm wrote on Jun 21, 2012 1:46 PM:

    " What ever happened to that QB who's dad made him quit last year after Watkins beat him out? Says a lot about him that a kid playing out of position beats him out.

    Good luck, Coach K.

    DHS, '92 "

    Luv Football wrote on Jun 21, 2012 9:19 AM:

    " I went saw this kid at practice, he is going to be great! Good luck Bulldogs! "

    Bulldog fan wrote on Jun 20, 2012 5:03 PM:

    " You have got to be kidding me Keith! I do not get your coaching "

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