CLOSER LOOK: Jurupa Valley’s Dashon Dill
Take a closer look at Jurupa Valley senior Dashon Dill and you’ll see a player a step-and-a-half ahead of the rest of his teammates, and the rest of his league.
Dill was large and in charge as the Jaguars (7-3 overall, 4-1 Mountain Valley League) defeated Rubidoux, 34-28, on Thursday, Oct. 28.
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound quarterback ran for 87 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, and completed 9 of 16 pass attempts for 219 yards and another score in the win, Jurupa Valley’s fourth straight to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in a long time.
Dill took over the game n the third quarter, completing a 44-yard touchdown pass for a 16-14 lead before adding a 64-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
“He was our back-up and we had to go with him three weeks ago after our start got injured. He’s explosive and he creates things and plays,” Jurupa Valley coach Hugo Nevarez said. “He’s grown and he’s improved. He brings a different dimension.”
We caught up with Dill after the win over Rubidoux. Surprisingly, he was even taller up close.
InlandFieldhouse.com: What does this team’s success this season mean to you?
Dashon Dill: “It mean a lot. To bring a team, an organization, that’s not know for winning and coming this season and doing what we do, I’m so happy for my team. There’s no coach I’d rather play for than Coach Nevarez.”
IF: Since the move to quarterback late in the season how have you felt like you’ve adjusted?
DD: “I played quarterback before in Pop Warner and stuff like that, so me coming in at quarterback I was already dialed in. I didn’t come in nervous or anything like that. But I’d still love to be a wide receiver.”
IF: How can this program use this season and turn it into long-term success?
DD: “We’re trying to taking it all the way and make Jurupa Valley a winning school. You got to make an organization. Mater Dei and all them we’re D1 all the time, you know what I’m saying? So we’re trying to turn that on Jurupa Valley.”
IF: What’s your situation for next season? Is your plan to continue to play football?
DD: “Yes. My dad is working on all that. He’s trying to get me noticed. We’re talking to a lot of different folks, so we’ll see.”
INLAND FIELDHOUSE 