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Dixie State takes a final shot at a RMAC title, before moving to Division I

| Courtesy Snow College Snow College football coach Paul Peterson.

Richard Williams, Dixie State University's president, understandably is looking forward to the St. George school's move into NCAA Division I athletics in 2020. DSU defensive back Alex Lilliard had to remind the president to not get too far ahead of himself.

Lilliard and the Trailblazers' other seniors have one more season to play in the Division II Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, before the program becomes an FCS independent. So as Williams addressed the team and talked about the future, Lilliard took a step back into the present.

He interrupted the guest speaker, asking, “What happens this year?”

DSU's building toward big opportunities in 2020 undoubtedly made the job more attractive to coach Paul Peterson when he moved from Snow College in December. He also respects his boss. Yet Peterson likes telling that story about Lilliard, because it reminds everyone that the Trailblzers have a lot to play for in 2019. DSU will open the season Sept. 7, hosting RMAC favorite Colorado State-Pueblo.

DIXIE STATE SCHEDULE


Sept. 7 — vs. Colorado State-Pueblo, 7 p.m.


Sept. 14 — at Fort Lewis, noon


Sept. 21 — at New Mexico Highlands, 1 p.m.


Sept. 28 — at South Dakota Mines, 6 p.m.


Oct. 5 — vs. Black Hills State, 1 p.m.


Oct. 12 — vs. Simon Fraser, 7 p.m.


Oct. 19 — at Western Colorado, 1 p.m.


Oct. 26 — vs. Chadron State, 1 p.m.


Nov. 2 — vs. Colorado Mesa, 1 p.m.


Nov. 9 — at Colorado School of Mines, noon.


Nov. 16 — vs. Adams State, noon.

The Trailblazers will face more recognizable opponents in 2020, such as Southern Utah, Weber State and other Big Sky Conference schools, but the RMAC plays good football and the Trailblazers want to follow through on last season's 7-3 conference record. On-field performance was not the reason former coach Shay McClure's contract was not renewed, with athletic director Jason Boothe citing issues with academic performance and student-athlete welfare for the move.

Peterson inherited a good roster, led by running back Sei-J Lauago and pass rusher Anthony Yarbrough, although the Trailblazers have about 40 newcomers. Among Peterson's challenges is to get his uptempo, no-huddle offense humming immediately. Homegrown quarterback Kody Wilstead, who played at BYU and then transferred to Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College, is competing for the job.

Peterson who went 18-4 in two seasons at Snow, also wants DSU to play aggressively on the other side of the ball, with Tyler Almond coordinating the defense. They worked together at Sacramento State for much of this decade. Peterson, 38, is a Bingham High School graduate who played quarterback at Snow and Boston College and in the Canadian Football League.

Football coaches are always trying to develop players, so Peterson is mindful of DSU's future, while not dismissing the 2019 season. He likes his first recruiting class, saying, “The goal is to become competitive with them, and set that tone for the future.”

DSU will be a Western Athletic Conference member in sports other than football, which the WAC no longer sanctions. In addition to SUU and Weber State, Trailblazer opponents in 2020-22 include the likes of Montana, Montana State, Sacramento State, UC Davis, New Mexico State, San Houston State and BYU.

The school is upgrading its facilities and is looking to complete its stadium renovation with a naming-rights sponsor after Legend Solar pulled out of a $10 million deal in 2018.

IN SUMMARY


The Trailblazers will succeed if: Coach Paul Peterson’s dynamic offensive scheme clicks from the start. Dixie State also needs to take advantage of September games against three teams picked below them in the RMAC poll — after hosting preseason favorite Colorado State-Pueblo in the Sept. 7 season opener.


The Trailblazers won’t succeed if: A schedule of playing 11 straight games without a bye wears them down. The Trailblazers start the season late and finish it early, compared with FBS schools such as Utah and BYU that have two byes in 2019. The temptation to look ahead to FCS membership shouldn’t affect the current players, though.


Bottom line: Peterson’s program will be fascinating to watch as it moves to the FCS level and a rivalry develops with nearby Southern Utah. The Trailblazers want to contend for an RMAC championship and make the playoffs in their last Division II season, and they need to maximize it, because the next few seasons will be very challenging.