Ups and downs the story for Dorados

HIDALGO — The Rio Grande Valley Dorados had two record-setting rookies on offense, yet their offense at times bogged down. They started 5-1 yet undid that flourish with five losses in their next six games.

It was that kind of year for the Dorados, who including their postseason loss to Bossier-Shreveport finished 9-8. In all honesty, that was probably the correct record for them. For everything negative, such as the signing and then ineligibility of quarterback Quincy Carter, there was a positive like the emergence of Nick Hill. But seemingly for every positive, like the fast start, there was something that stopped them from maintaining anything long enough to become a true contender, whether it was injuries, inconsistency or just bad luck.

“It seems like we had the same struggles throughout the year. You are what you are,” coach Marty Hammond said. “That’s the kind of team that we were. We weren’t efficient on offense as good as we should have been. Defensively, we improved throughout the year.

“But offensively, that was our identity. We were never able to get over the hump.”

To try to ignite the offense, which had begun to stammer despite the record-setting pace of Hill and wide receiver Rod Windsor, Hammond chose to start former starter Josh Kellett in Week 17 against Tri-Cities. Though the Dorados won 44-37, Kellett threw three interceptions and struggled against a team that ended its season 3-13.

By the next week, Hill was re-installed as the starter, allowing him to complete the season as a starter and help Windsor set league records for catches (184) TDs and receiving TDs (59). Hill set his own team records for passing yards (4,517) and TD passes (93).

“Sometimes it’s just hard to explain. You just get that chemistry with a player then you get that trust,” Hill said. “It was just one of things where I really trusted Rod. Obviously, he was one of the best wide receivers I’ve ever played with indoor or outdoor. I could trust that he wanted the ball.”

Despite the Hill-Windsor combination, the Dorados could only manage the No. 6 seed in the National Conference. A season that started with a 5-1 record with a frustrating 56-46 defeat that was indicative of the issues that plagued the Dorados the last 10 games of the season. The defense played well enough to win, but the offense struggled with Hill throwing three interceptions while playing with three broken bones in his back.

It was the disappointing end to a season that started out with the possibility for so much more, one that degraded as the weeks went by.

“I think other people wanted it more than us. A lot of guys they wanted it a little more than other guys lined up on the other side of the ball,” Windsor said. “I think that was the most difficult part for us contending for the championship. I think everybody wasn’t working on the same page.”

TOUCHBACKS: Spokane Shock defensive linemen Ben McCombs was named on Monday the 2009 Russell Athletic Lineman of the Year, as selected by a vote of arenafootball2 head coaches and members of the media.

In his first year with Spokane, McCombs had a stellar defensive season in 2009. His prolific pass rush skills helped the Shock to a near perfect 15-1 regular season record. McCombs led the af2 in sacks (15.5) and tackles for loss (16 1/2 tackles – 83 yards). McCombs was also a member of the 2005 Dorados team that advanced to the National Conference championship game.  

Brian Sandalow covers the Rio Grande Valley Dorados for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436.