KFDM COOP Posted December 12, 2007 Report Posted December 12, 2007 Family ties fuel Dayton triple threatBy Dave Rogers Published December 12, 2007DAYTON — Garrett Gilbert, the pass-happy quarterback for the Lake Travis team that takes on Dayton in the Class 4A Division II state semifinals at College Station Friday night, is the latest in a line of high school stars with famous dads.Southlake Carroll won state titles with big plays from the sons of former Oilers wide receiver Mike Renfro and former Cowboys lineman Nate Newton. Austin Westlake went to state with the sons of University of Texas standouts Earl Campbell and James Street.Gilbert is the son of Gale Gilbert, who quarterbacked for San Diego in Super Bowl XXIX.And the Dayton Broncos?“Our gene pool is not that good,†Bronco head coach Jerry Stewart chuckled Tuesday.“We’ve got two or three whose daddies are sawmillers. And there’s a pipefitter or two.â€On this Bronco team, A.J. Dugat comes the closest to a famous athletic pedigree. Father Alonzo Dugat was a star running back for Liberty. Brother Mike Dugat, a running back for Dayton, finished as the No. 6 rusher all-time in Class 4A. Cousin Henry Dugat, a basketball star at Dayton, plays for Baylor.“A lot of them taught me different things,†A.J. says.And he learned his lessons well, says Stewart.“History will tell where he ends up,†the coach answered when asked where the junior receiver-defensive back ranks among the Dayton players he’s coached in 12 years.“A.J.’s a different beast; he plays both sides of the ball. He’s a lockdown corner at 6 foot and 190 pounds. He can also throw the ball, catch the ball, run the ball and return kicks.“And he’s a kid that plays better when the stage gets brighter.â€Dugat has contributed nearly 2,000 yards of combined offense to the 11-3 Broncos this season.That’s 1,001 yards and 13 touchdowns on 70 pass receptions, 463 yards and five touchdowns passing and 523 yards and five touchdowns rushing.Dayton’s return statistics weren’t available Tuesday, but his defensive numbers include five interceptions, which matches teammate Paul Fontenot for the team high.Dugat opened last week’s 28-21 win over Waller, the first third-round playoff win in school history, with a 41-yard run with a screen pass.He had a 31-yard punt return to set up Dayton’s first score and he scored the game-winning touchdown on a two-yard run with an end-around.He finished with five pass receptions for 99 yards and five rushes for 17 yards. He also broke up a pair of passes and threw the key downfield block on another touchdown.“I guess as far as an all-around player, he’s making a push to be the best Dayton’s ever had,†Stewart said. “And he’s just a junior.â€Dugat played quarterback for the Broncos immediately after blue-chip prospect Cody Green was lost for the season in the second game.Having him behind center was a good thing. Not so good was not having him available as a receiver and runner.Stewart says bringing Gregory Charles in to quarterback made all the difference for a Dayton team that started the year 1-3.It allowed him to play Dugat not only at receiver but full-time on defense.“He’ll get 100 snaps a game,†the coach said.Dugat says his biggest helper off the field is his brother, Mike, who spent the fall at Blinn College.“He still coaches me. He sends me text messages, things to think about before the games,†he said.What sort of messages?“Things like ‘My cuts will come to me,’ and he always tells me to pray before the game. That’s my secret,†Dugat said, “I pray to God.â€Charles says Dugat can be too slippery for him sometimes.“His moves and his vision are the big things,†the quarterback says. “Sometimes he shakes me. I have to wait until he gets into his routes.â€For all his offensive headlines, Dugat says the key for he and his Bronco teammates against Lake Travis’ 13-1 Cavaliers will be defense.“The key last week was to just gang tackle around the ball and our defense stepped up big,†he said. “This week defense will be the key for us again.“Defense wins games, not offense.â€Having A.J. Dugat helps.
PURPLE 4EVER Posted December 12, 2007 Report Posted December 12, 2007 Just curious...Of all the video footage I have gone through this year from 22-4A, no one is more of a game breaker than AJ.Wonder why he is not included in the SETX poll on the home page for the best football player.His defensive stats are just as impressive as his offensive stats.IMO...AJ is the 22-4A MVP
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