About the DAWGS

Arizona 9U Brigade Desert Dawgs

Where Grit Meets Greatness in Youth Flag Football

Welcome to the home of the Arizona 9U Brigade Desert Dawgs—a youth flag football team proudly based in Scottsdale and North Phoenix. Founded in 2025, we are the official 9U club team of the Arizona Brigade Youth Flag Football League, built to train, mentor, and lead the next generation of athletes.

At the Desert Dawgs, we don’t just coach football—we develop young men of character, grit, and focus.

The Meaning Behind Desert Dawgs

Our name stands for more than just toughness—it’s an acronym that defines our foundation:

D.A.W.G.S. – Discipline, Accountability, Willpower, Grit, Sacrifice

We live by a “1-0 mentality”, encouraging our athletes to win each rep—whether they’re on the field, in the classroom, or at home. And when mistakes happen? We practice the Goldfish mindset: recognize it, learn from it, flush it, and move on to the next play.

We emphasize preparation, execution, and recovery as the core habits of long-term success.

Elite Coaching. Proven Results.

Our coaching staff brings experience, energy, and structure to every practice:

  • Head Coach Zachary Schaefer – Team founder, admin, offensive strategist, and cultural leader.

  • David Fillmore – Assistant Head Coach and former collegiate athlete.

  • Austin Keane – Offensive Coordinator and Strategist, game-day play caller, and architect of the #1 offense in the 8U Brigade Spring League.

  • Jeramiah “Coach J” Butenschoen – Defensive Coordinator and speed/agility specialist, former University of Montana player, and architect of the #1 defense in the 8U league.

Competition & Practice Philosophy

We are a competitive 9U flag football team, training twice per week—Monday and Wednesday practices—and competing in:

  • Brigade Youth Flag Football League

  • Zorts-sanctioned tournaments

  • Battle Lines Tournament Series (Arizona)

  • Select regional travel tournaments

Each opportunity is evaluated for development value, not just wins. We train with intention, focusing on fundamentals, IQ, and athleticism.

Championship Pedigree

Our coaching foundation comes from the championship-caliber 8U Texans, who:

  • Finished 2nd in the 2024 Fall Championship, falling short by just one point.

  • Dominated the Spring 2025 A Bracket, going through both top seeds to finish with the league’s #1 offense and #1 defense.

That mindset, preparation, and success is now passed down to the next generation—the 9U Desert Dawgs.

Community-Driven. Family-Focused.

We proudly represent the North Valley with key partnerships including:

  • Arizona Brigade Youth Flag Football League

  • LG Creative (Branding & Media Partner)

  • More to be announced soon!

We aim to make every family feel proud to be a part of the Desert Dawgs community. Our focus isn’t on rushing into tackle football. Instead, we teach fundamentals, speed, discipline, and confidence—developing versatile athletes prepared for anything, on or off the field.

Our Mission

To develop competitive young athletes with strong character, discipline, and resilience—ready for football and life. Through elite coaching and a values-driven culture, we help every Dawg grow as a leader, teammate, and student of the game.

Join the Pack. Win the Day.

If you’re looking for an elite youth flag football team rooted in mentorship, brotherhood, and competitive excellence, the Arizona 9U Brigade Desert Dawgs are ready for you.

📍 Based in Scottsdale & North Phoenix
📲 Affiliated with The Arizona Brigade
🏈 Focused on Flag Football Development through 8th Grade