Teammates since childhood, Gabe Dozier and Garrett Douthit have created a powerful force on the front lines for Gore football.
“Together, Gabe and Garrett have been very instrumental in our success,” said Brandon Tyler who was the head coach at Gore during the high school careers for the 2023 graduates. “Two of the best linemen I’ve ever coached. Both are without question aggressive on the field but they’re just as good off the field and in the classroom.”
The rock solid foundation for the offensive and defensive fronts, the athletic combo played key roles the past four years as Gore compiled a 43-6 record including their senior campaign which resulted in a 14-1 record while reaching the Class A state championship game.
Gabe stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 257 pounds while Garrett tips the scale at 290 pounds and measures an inch taller when lining up at right tackle shoulder to shoulder next to the Pirates’ right guard.
The lifelong friends and teammates define each other in much the same way, on and off the field
“Off the field, Garrett is a softy but when he puts on the pads, 55 becomes a monster,” said Dozier.
Douthit echoes a similar description.
“Gabe is just plain mean when he puts on his helmet. You don’t want to get in his way,” Garrett said, describing his awareness that when coach Tyler called the counter play that his teammate wearing jersey number 50 was much like his last name, a “dozer” ready to steamroll anyone in his path. “When we pumped fists coming out of the huddle, it was game on.”
The dynamic duo led the way this season for Gore’s running game that averaged 306 yards per contest and totaled 82 rushing touchdowns. Rarely coming off the field, the defensive end (Douthit) and defensive tackle (Dozier) ravaged their opponents totaling 202 tackles and 29 sacks.
Was it just overpowering opponents that produced the impressive stats? Both players had an individual playing style.
“Gabe has the technique that allows him to play with force while I’m going to punch and drive you to the ground,” said Douthit. “Together, we couldn’t keep a smile off our face when we pancaked the opposing player on defense as well as on offense.”
When it’s time to eat, both players want to be first in line, each with their own favorite choice.
“I’m always going to choose chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy plus some green beans,” Garrett said with eagerness to sit down to the table.
Gabe was just as enthusiastic.
“I’m going to order pizza, any kind; just a lot of it. And I’d prefer that it comes from Gambino’s.”
The next step for Gabe and Garrett will be to the college football field but not on the same team as Dozier will join his brother, Gunner at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva while Douthit will take his talents to the gridiron at Northeastern State University where he’ll keep the same green and white uniform playing for the RiverHawks.
It’s unlikely the two will ever meet each other as their future team’s schedules don’t match up. But if it does, Gabe and Garrett both agree it will be business as usual, do your job, punish the opponent and put him flat on the ground.
“That’s always been our game plan and just like our friendship that will last for life, we know we have a job to do and we wouldn’t want it any other way.”
