Coming off an 8-0 victory on Saturday against Wichita Trinity, the Dodge City Red Demon Soccer team opened their home slate with a battle against the Liberal Redskins on Tuesday night. In a match that saw momentum swing back and forth, the Red Demons came up short, falling 3-1.

After a scoreless first half, the intensity ramped up in the final 40 minutes. Liberal broke the deadlock with the first goal of the match, but Dodge City refused to back down. In the 73rd minute, Alejandro Marquez broke through the defense and delivered the equalizer, firing the Red Demon faithful into celebration as the match leveled at 1-1.

With the game hanging in the balance, the final minutes proved decisive. Liberal capitalized on their late chances, netting two goals in the last five minutes to pull away and seal the 3-1 result.

Though the scoreboard favored the visitors, the Red Demons showed grit and fight in their home opener, setting the stage for a competitive season ahead. The Red Demons move to 4-1 on the season and drop to 0-1 in Western Athletic Conference play. Dodge City is back in WAC action on Thursday when they travel to Hays to take on the Indians.

Saul Hernandez Era Ends at DCHS

The Dodge City Red Demon Soccer Program will be under new leadership next fall after Saul Hernandez today announced his resignation from the program.

Hernandez has built the Red Demon program into a perennial winner at DCHS. The numbers from the past ten years of Red Demon Soccer are unmatched in the state, as Hernandez elevated DCHS Soccer into rarified air.

A DCHS alum, Hernandez took over the program in 2015 after the sudden departure of Charles Johnson just days before the season began. His first season ended with the Red Demons winning their first ever state tournament game and finishing in third place.

It was a sign of things to come as Hernandez led the Demons to the State Championship the following season (2016). In his decade at the helm of the boys’ program, the Red Demons twice won State Championships (2016, 2020) and finished in the Top-Four eight times. This past season the Red Demons finished as 6A Runners-up.

During his tenure at DCHS, Red Demon Soccer was 21-0 versus Garden City, 19-3 versus Liberal, and 16-10 at the 6A State Tournament.

Hernandez also coached the Lady Demons for seven seasons before stepping down from that position to coach boys’ soccer at Dodge City Middle School in the spring. Along the way, Hernandez received widespread recognition for his efforts and accomplishments on the pitch. However, Hernandez was always quick to highlight the outstanding talent, dedication, and loyalty of his coaching staff and players.

Dodge City Soccer became one of the best atmospheres in the state – due in large part to the success and the way in which Coach Hernandez led the program. Under his direction, Coach Hernandez built a soccer community that will continue to thrive in the future.

The search for a new Head Coach will begin immediately. The DCHS Athletic Department will place a priority on hiring a certified high school teacher who has the necessary expertise and experience to lead the Red Demon soccer program.

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Saul Hernandez Accomplishments

• NFHS National Rules Committee (2023-25)
• NFHS Sectional Coach of the Year (2020, 2016)
• NFHS State Coach of the Year (2020, 2016)
• NHSCA National Coach of the Year (2020)
• United Soccer Coaches Association Large School Regional Coach of the Year (2020)
• United Soccer Coaches Association Large School Kansas Coach of the Year (2020, 2016, 2015)
• Kansas Coaches Association (KCA) Coach of the Year (2020, 2015)
• Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (Boys – 2024-2019, 2017-2015)
• Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (Girls – 2017, 2016)
• KHSSCA 6A Coach of the Year (2020, 2016)
• Hutchinson News Regional Coach of the Year (2016, 2015)
• Kansas Gatorade Players of the Year (Alan Lopez – 2020, Miguel Baca – 2016)

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While Saul may be best known for his continued success as the all-time winningest coach in DCHS soccer history – I am most proud of how Saul developed young men for future successes. When you look at Saul’s impact on our community – it is in the quality of young people he has helped mold. It is not uncommon to see alumni at games – both home and away – and the community support of the program is unmatched. This is a credit to Saul and his staff as they have consistently demonstrated for our student-athletes the value of hard work, preparation, and character both on and off the field. Coach Hernandez will certainly be missed. I will personally miss his family and the personal relationship we have built over the years. We are happy for the next chapter for Saul and his family and thank them for their time spent with us in Dodge City.”

Jay Gifford, DCHS Athletic Director

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This program has been my heart for the past decade. Every training session, every bus ride, every celebration and heartbreak, we lived it together – as a family. I’ve been blessed to coach some of the most hardworking, loyal, and passionate young men and women you could ask for. The memories we have made and the bonds we have built will stay with me forever. Stepping away isn’t easy, but I do so with a full heart and deep gratitude. Dodge City gave me everything, and I’ll always be proud to be a Red Demon.”

Saul Hernandez