Gridiron Guide: Dorado Stadium features a golden view
Canyon del Oro High School's Dorado Stadium at the school on Tuesday, July 14, 2015, in Oro Valley, Ariz. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
School: Canyon del Oro
Name: Dorado Stadium
Address: 25 W. Calle Concordia
Opened: 1964
The lowdown: Not much has changed in the 50 years since CDO’s stadium was built. And that’s a good thing: A great view and green surroundings make Dorado Stadium one of the top venues in the state. The program recently turned the building closest to the field into a football weight room, giving them double the space and putting all of the program’s needs in one location.
Don’t miss: The incredible view of the Santa Catalina Mountains is something special on Friday nights in the fall; even opponents can’t help but notice. CDO has long been recognized for its rowdy student section, especially for big games.
Biggest game: CDO snapped three-time defending champion Scottsdale Saguaro’s 37-game win streak on Oct. 2, 2009 with a 44-0 victory in front of a home crowd. Future Arizona Wildcats star Ka’Deem Carey led the way with 299 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 19 carries. The junior scored on three successive carries in the second half, ripping off touchdowns of 85, 45 and 57 yards. Teammate Jared Tevis, who also went on to play at the UA, finished with a game-high 13 tackles, two interceptions — one of which he returned for a touchdown — a forced fumble and a sack.
Performance for the ages: Carey, who now plays for the NFL’s Chicago Bears, set the single-game state rushing record at home later that season when he amassed 427 yards and scored six touchdowns in a 63-35 state playoff win over Glendale Apollo. The top-seeded Dorados went on to win the 4A-I state championship two weeks later, finishing off a perfect 14-0 season.
Quotable: “The greatest thing, the first thing I noticed about Dorado Stadium, is obviously that beautiful mountain. We call it our mountain.” – CDO coach Dusty Peace
