When Eastmark made the move from 3A to 4A this season, it was hardly the most difficult transition for a successful program in its fourth year of varsity competition.

After capturing the 3A state championship last year, the Firebirds expected a transition phase with the loss of 26 seniors and the jump in classification.

But not long into the 2023 calendar year, head coach Scooter Molander–who started Eastmark’s program from scratch–took the Desert Vista job.

Enter Travis Dixon. 

The former Hamilton quarterback who led the Huskies’ to their first two state titles in 2004 and ‘05, felt ready for his biggest coaching challenge.

A year ago, Dixon was at Higley, coaching defensive backs and helping the Knights capture their first state championship with head coach Eddy Zubey.

With over a decade of coaching at the high school and college level, Dixon decided to interview for the Eastmark job, and quickly impressed the brass in the process. The offer came soon after, and the Firebirds football program hasn’t missed a beat while making its presence felt in the 4A conference.

Eastmark is 4-2 heading into tonight’s contest at Desert Sunrise, with the two losses coming by a total of nine points.

“This has been an exciting challenge, and I couldn’t ask for a better group of seniors,” Dixon says of his 2023 squad.

“Coach Molander built a strong foundation here, but I can’t say enough about this senior class. We lost 26 seniors from last season’s state championship team,” Dixon explained. 

“We had 12 seniors coming into this season, so for all the transition and change, they’ve been outstanding.” 

Dixon’s first game as a head coach came against top ranked Canyon del Oro from Tucson, where Eastmark dropped a tough game, 21-14. 

Two weeks ago against second ranked Northwest Christian, the Firebirds narrowly lost another heartbreaker, 37-35.

For Dixon, those games can only serve his team down the road, as he expects to make a run at the 4A title.

“It’s tough to lose close games but hopefully those lessons will pay off later in the season, Dixon said.

“When you battle to the end against the best teams it should only serve as motivation and confidence.”

Dixon’s coaching journey began after a productive career at UNLV, where he started at quarterback before transitioning to safety. After returning to Hamilton under then-head coach Steve Belles, Dixon enjoyed successful coaching stops at Arizona State, North Dakota School of Mines & Technology, and Abilene Christian in Texas.

Before returning to Arizona, Dixon already had an established relationship with coach Zubey by means of recruiting Higley athletes during his college coaching years. That made it easier to reach out to Zubey, who had a place for him mentoring the defensive secondary last season.      

“Travis is a great guy and Eastmark is lucky to have him,” Zubey said earlier in the week.

“He’s a fantastic football coach and he’s passionate about it. He expects a lot from his players, but he connects with them. And he’s been successful on both sides of the ball. I suspect he’s already making a strong impression with everyone.”

Zubey’s Coaching Tree

In 17 seasons of head coaching in the Valley, Zubey has developed an impressive resume of coaching offspring. Dixon is the latest in a line of assistants that have gone on to head coaching jobs and other successes.

Current Westwood coach Brandon Large played for Zubey in his first season at Westwood (2006) before serving as an assistant coach for several years.

Current Perry head coach Joe Ortiz is now just a few miles to the North and West of Higley campus, which happens to be a few miles east of Dixon’s Eastmark campus.

Zubey met Ortiz in 2008 when he took the St.Mary’s job. Ortiz was a junior varsity assistant coaching receivers, and he impressed Zubey from the beginning. 

“I was so impressed with his dedication and hunger,” Zubey said of Ortiz, who eventually became Zubey’s offensive coordinator and followed him to Higley in 2011.

Ortiz was eventually hired by Cactus High in 2018, and led the 4A program to the Open Division playoffs in 2021.

Ortiz has led Perry to a 5-1 start this season.

Despite the geographic proximity of Perry and Eastmark, Zubey would prefer avoiding head-to-head competition in the regular season.

“It may become inevitable, but for now it’s difficult enough when we compete in passing leagues because we all have similar signals and offensive language,” Zubey says.

“But I’m really proud and happy for those guys. They helped me tremendously in my coaching career.”

A New Neighborhood Rivalry?

Speaking of geographic proximity, Higley (4-1) and ALA Gilbert North(4-1) will square off tonight for the first time at Higley. ALA Gilbert made the jump to 5A this season after capturing the 4A title last December.

With just over three miles separating the schools, plus the success of both programs, it should make for an organic rivalry, as many of the players know eachother off the field.

ALA’s standout receiver Brandon Phelps did not grow up in Arizona, but the senior is on the verge of breaking every major state receiving record, including total receptions (2410, yards (3,9430, and touchdowns (51).

“He’s been amazing for our program,” ALA Gilbert coach Randy Ricedorff said earlier in the year.

Phelps only needs one touchdown, 14 receptions, and 85 yards to break each record.

Higley’s lone blemish on the season was a double overtime thriller against Desert Edge. Higley is led by the explosive duo of sophomore quarterback Gunner Fagrell and senior running back Daxen Hall, who have combined for 2,300 yards of offense.

National Spotlight

Centennial travels from Peoria to downtown Chandler tonight for a clash of undefeated 6A powers and the national media is just as excited. Maxpreps.com, which has Chandler 22nd in their national top 25, calls tonight's matchup in Chandler the No.1 game in the nation this week. 
Best to arrive early.