Former Football Player Peace Leads CDO to State Championship Game

By Steven Shaff, NAU Media Relations

TUCSON, Ariz. - Tucson's Canyon Del Oro High School has won 27 consecutive games and plays for its second consecutive state championship Saturday when they meet Saguaro in the 4A-I championship game at Sun Devil Stadium. The man behind the team's success is former Lumberjack football player Dusty Peace.

"It is about building a program," said Peace before practice this week. "Everyone knows you need a great staff, a supporting administration and a great group of kids who are about playing football and are dedicated and show their determination both on the field and off the field. I am blessed to part of this group of kids and this coaching staff."

Peace got his start under Pat Nugent, who left CDO to take over the program at Pima Community College in 2009. Peace had started as an assistant at the school while finishing his school work at Arizona and is in  his eighth season overall. He is quick to give credit to Nugent for starting the success, including a state championship in 2007 and semifinal appearance in 2008.

"It is not something that happened overnight," said Peace.

"I love the game and it is what I love to do," said Peace. "It is what football has done for me as an individual and I wanted to give that back and continue to part of this special game."

Peace came to NAU from Flowing Wells High School in Tucson, playing for Nugent and earning all-city honors. He made an immediate impact, playing in nine games as a freshman.

In 2001, he started at fullback and was a major contributor for an offense ranked second in the Big Sky Conference and 25th in the I-AA in rushing offense. He earned All-Big Sky second team honors after posting 18 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown with seven catches for 56 yards. He blocked for running back Marcus King, who rushed for over 1,200 yards and became the school's all-time leading rusher that season.

"Marcus was very explosive and he had unbelievable strength that people did not know about," said Peace of his former teammate. "He did not take anything for granted. We really had some good players that year up front with guys like Robert Haws and Eric Damko. He definitely appreciated that."

The Lumberjacks went to the I-AA playoffs in 2001, losing to Sam Houston State. Peace was named the Division I-AA Athletics Directors Association Academic All-Star Team and chosen to the Big Sky Fall All-Academic team for the second year in a row.

While he was forced to return to Tucson after his second season and finished his degree work at the University of Arizona, he has fond memories of his time in Flagstaff.

"The best part of the whole experience is the relationship you build with the teammates and the coaches you had," said Peace. "I still talk to Coach Souers and his assistants Corey Batoon and Mike Orthmann. The relationships are what is special."

Souers remembers Peace as a special player and person.

"He had a tough upbringing and he is the type of guy who recognized opportunity and made things happen for himself," said Souers. "I could not be prouder of a guy who has left our program than Dusty Peace with the things he is doing working with his kids. Dusty Peace is one of the finest young men to ever leave this program. He was a hard worker and a great teammate and was an impeccable student. He is the type of guy you loved to have around."

 * Credit Greg Hansen, Arizona Daily Star