Claire Cornelius is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Dobson High School for AZPreps365.com

Yellow flag after yellow flag flew through the air and landed on the North Canyon Rattlers field. Exasperated sighs and colorful commentary could be heard from North Canyon’s and Dobson’s sideline. The officials gathered to discuss each penalty for one to two minutes, halting any momentum. 

Despite the penalties, Dobson High School defeated North Canyon High School 28-8 Friday in the first non-conference game of the season.

“All of those penalties, it was just adversity and we powered through it,” Dobson senior quarterback Damyian Duarte said. “A lot of the calls I didn’t agree with. A lot of calls my teammates didn’t agree with. But most of them were good calls. We messed up a couple times and we accepted that.”

The game was Duarte’s first start at quarterback. He completed seven passes for 76 yards and had one rushing and one passing touchdown. 

“Tonight wasn’t really a good receiving night, in my mind. I think we could’ve done way better. That falls on all of us. That falls on me. That falls on the line. That falls on the receivers,” Duarte said. 

Duarte ran the ball 16 times for 127 yards. 

“He’s super competitive, sometimes he takes it too hard, but he’s the heart and soul. If he’s going, we’re going,” head coach Bill Godsil said. 

Dobson’s second TD was a pass to senior Xavier Jimenez, who plays wide receiver and defensive back. Jimenez said his success is contingent upon “a team effort.”

“If they’re not blocking, I’m not getting a touchdown,” Jimenez said. 

Jimenez had three receptions for 44 yards. 

The Mustangs’ defense held the Rattlers to eight points and had three fumble recoveries, one of which resulted in a TD the following drive. 

“We did a good job of coming up and securing tackles,” Godsil said. “Our defensive line really stepped up. Those three guys made those five (offensive linemen) work hard. Anytime your three defensive linemen can free up your linebackers, that’s a good thing.” 

Senior defensive back Quinten Phillips intercepted a pass from Rattlers’ quarterback Amari Harrison and returned it 58 yards to score a TD.

Next week’s practice will consist of learning how to recover from penalties and how to play in two-minute drives, Godsil said.

Dobson will play host to Mountain View at 7 p.m. on Friday.