Credit Diamondbacks’ quick turnaround to coaching

It only took the Desert Oasis football team two weeks to match last season's win total.

But the Diamondbacks certainly aren't satisfied.

"It feels great," senior linebacker Ryan Knipp said of the team's 2-0 start. "Hopefully we can at least get a reverse record from last year, maybe go 7-2 this year. That's the goal.

"We have a lot of good athletes here, all we needed was the right coaches to put it together, and we've got a great staff. So it's a lot better."

Desert Oasis went 2-7 in the regular season last year before losing 63-0 to eventual Division I state champion Bishop Gorman in the first round of the playoffs. But the team's quest for reversing that record gets tougher tonight when the Diamondbacks play at No. 5 Basic at 7.

The Wolves, who opened the season with a 31-23 win over traditional power Palo Verde last week, certainly will offer a stiff test for first-year head coach Brad Talich, who took over the Desert Oasis program after going 20-13 in three seasons at Coronado.

"I really respect the things they're doing offensively," Talich said of Basic. "They're very explosive. They've got some good kids, they've come up through the program for three years now. He's still got a young team that's got a lot of experience from last year. So they're certainly one of the top teams in our city."

Talich hopes his team continues to show improvement on defense. The Diamondbacks allowed an average off 37.2 points last season but have yielded a total of 18 points so far this season.

"There are a lot of big improvements," said Knipp, who is tied with Jason Sanders for the team lead in tackles with 19. "We're a lot tougher than we were the season before. We spend a lot of time watching film, getting to learn the game, know the game. Our defense is a lot stronger. There's a lot of emphasis on making sure everybody knows what we're doing."

Talich brought former NFL linebacker Brian Noble with him from Coronado. Talich said the former Green Bay Packer is part of the reason for the team's defensive improvement.

"He's kind of a guy we lean on a little bit when we come down to scheme and technique," Talich said. "He's a great technician. It's enjoyable watching Brian coach and for the kids seeing an NFL great coaching. You just see the kids really yucking everything up that Brian has to offer and really soaking in his knowledge."

Former San Francisco 49ers kicker Mike Cofer also came with Talich from Coronado and is trying to install a more explosive offense.

"We've got coach Cofer, who's another NFL guy who spent a lot of time listening and paying attention when Bill Walsh was talking," Talich said. "I know he was just a kicker, but he's got a heck of an offensive mind."

Senior running back Ty'shun McClinton has accounted for much of the offense thus far. McClinton is third in the area in rushing with 353 yards and three TDs.

"He's got a good line in front of him and some very unselfish receivers that are blocking for him well," Talich said. "It's not just Ty'shun, it's a whole commitment from the entire offense. He's an explosive back, he's quick and he hits the hole pretty hard. But it takes all of us to get Ty'shun where he's at right now. I know Ty'shun appreciates what he's got up front."

McClinton certainly seems to appreciate the line, led by 6-foot-6-inch, 310-pound tackle Jack Crane.

"Last year we didn't really have the push that we have this year," McClinton said. "They open up the hole for me and I see the open field and I'm gone.

"I love the big boys up front."

McClinton and his teammates also seem to enjoy the new coaching staff.

"We're treating kids right," Talich said. "We're coaching the kids very, very hard. And kids these days like to see that you're on their side and they want to be taught. They're yearning for it."

McClinton said: "This year the coaching staff brought us together. We have meetings, we watch film more. Practice is a lot smoother. We're doing really good this year. We're looking forward to the rest of the season."

Contact prep sports editor Damon Seiters at 702-380-4587 or dseiters@reviewjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter: @DamonSeiters