SCOTTSDALE — When it was all over, Drew Dixon slammed his helmet onto the Chaparral High School stadium turf.
He picked the helmet up after Sabino coach Jay Campos spoke to his team for the last time following a 31-14 loss in Saturday’s Class 3A state championship game. Then the tears started flowing. As reporters approached, Dixon put his helmet back on.
Dixon’s words were nearly drowned out by the loud, celebratory songs being played by American Leadership Academy’s band.
“I’m never satisfied with losing,” Dixon said.
This time next year, Dixon will swap out purple and gold for cardinal and navy blue as he joins the Arizona Wildcats. The do-everything offensive player is considered the top recruit in Southern Arizona.
All season, Sabino has given Dixon the keys to the car — his initials are DD, after all. The senior hasn’t just been Sabino’s designated driver, though: He’s the designated everything.
He opened Saturday’s loss at wide receiver, and over the course of the game proceeded to do so both on the inside and outside. Dixon punted, he played quarterback and he played most of the game on defense, in the secondary, too.
“He’s an intense competitor,” Campos said. “He’s a great athlete and we’re going to miss him, that’s for sure.”
The 6-foot-4-inch Dixon was recruited to Arizona with the “athlete” designation, and it’s an apt description.
At the next level, Dixon is expected to play wide receiver or tight end, though he’s capable of playing safety, too.
Heck, with Arizona’s uncertainty at punter, he could help there too — he twice punted the ball inside the 20-yard line on Saturday, one a booming 56-yarder. Nothing cute, either: no rugby style, just good old fashioned punting.
The Sabercats had trouble getting Dixon the ball for most of the game, but when they needed him most throughout the night, they handed him the keys to the car, and he went to work.
Sabino’s lone first-half offensive production came when Dixon lined up on fourth down in punt formation and completed a 25-yard pass.
He took over at quarterback early in the fourth quarter, and led a 15-play scoring drive, completing three passes for 24 yards. He also ran three times for 47 yards, the last carry an 8-yard touchdown.
It was a much-needed score, even if the game was out of reach, that brought Sabino within 31-14.
On the night, Dixon also added a 30-yard punt return, three catches of 10-plus yards and completed four passes for 10 yards or more. He passed the ball 16 times, rushed it eight times, amassed six receptions, punted three times and even added a late tackle for good measure. In all, he accounted for 77 passing yards, 33 rushing yards and 65 yards receiving. He also threw two interceptions late in the game.
Most of his yardage came in the fourth quarter, with the game well out of reach.
“It shows you what kind of competitor he is,” Campos said. “He’s a first-class football player, there’s no doubt about that, and even when the chips were down, he found a way to get it done.”
Campos is no stranger to Division I level talent. In recent years, he coached standouts like Matt Bushman to BYU, and Andrew Mike to Florida. Both were pursued by the Arizona Wildcats, too. Before that, Campos coached Brooks Reed, who is now playing for the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons following a career at the UA.
Dixon is next, and if Campos retires, his last.
He finished his senior season with 35 total touchdowns: 11 passing, 16 rushing, six receiving and two on punt returns.
“I’m looking forward to watching him, seeing what he can do at the next level,” Campos said. “He’s a great player, I’m really proud of all he’s accomplished as a football player.”
Dixon said he’s excited for the next step.
“I’m fortunate enough to be able to play at the next level,” Dixon said, “and I’m gonna work really hard.”
