There was plenty of media attention focused on the early days of the Fisher DeBerry era at Air Force.
Most of the coverage was directed at the idea DeBerry was using an outdated horse-and-buggy offense and getting the Falcons to outperform the modern, streamlined offenses of the day. The catalyst to Air Force’s success was a string of quarterbacks whose talents were crucial in making the wishbone or triple-option offense go.
When the DeBerry era is brought up even now, the quarterback mentioned as most representative of the group is Dee Dowis.
Maybe it was because Dowis was near the beginning of DeBerry’s run. Perhaps it was because he drew attention by playing at less than 160 pounds. Or maybe it was because of his enthusiasm for football. No matter the reason, Dowis has maintained his place in Air Force football history.
This week, he’ll be the first of the group inducted into the academy’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
“My dream growing up was to play major-college football,” Dowis said last week from his home in South Carolina. “As small as I was, I was afraid I wouldn’t get the chance to do that. I always felt inside I could play at that level. I was 153 pounds when I played at Air Force, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t gain any more weight.”
Dowis came on the Air Force scene as a freshman in 1986 and found current Air Force coach Troy Calhoun as one of the quarterbacks.
“I got to play in about half of the games, but I didn’t become a starter until my sophomore year,” Dowis said. “Troy Calhoun is one of the brightest individuals I’ve been around, on and off the field. He knows the game, and he has great passion to play it. He helped me a lot.”
Even though he played 20 years ago, Dowis remains well-sprinkled throughout in the Air Force football record book. He holds individual scoring records for a game with 36 points and six touchdowns against San Diego State in 1989. He holds the record for pass completion percentage, going 11-for-11 against Northwestern in 1988. He holds the career rushing record of 3,612 yards, is third on the single-game rushing list with 249 yards against San Diego State in 1989 and holds the average-per-carry record of 19.2 yards, set in the same game.
But it’s not his big game in a 52-36 victory over the Aztecs that Dowis remembers most.
In 1988, the Falcons and Wyoming Cowboys hooked up in an old-fashioned, Western shootout that is remembered today. Dowis and Wyoming quarterback Randy Welniak put on a duel that would be the envy in a crowd of any former football players. The lead changed hands throughout, with the Cowboys taking a 48-45 victory on a late touchdown.
“That may have been the most disappointing game of my career,” Dowis said. “After Wyoming scored the deciding touchdown, I fumbled on our next possession, ending our chances to win the game. It bothered me through the entire offseason.”
Air Force won 45-7 the next year in a game played on national television.
Dowis brushes aside thoughts that he’s the star of the AFA wishbone quarterbacks. Instead, he talks of Marty Louthan and Bart Weiss, who played earlier. After his playing days, Dowis was an assistant coach at Air Force from 1995-98 and mentored Beau Morgan. Dowis has praise for Blane Morgan, who had the best record as a starter of any of them.
Dowis left football and the Air Force after the 1998 season and entered private business in the pharmaceutical field.
Dowis took on all comers as a player. He faced Notre Dame, BYU, Texas Christian and all the opponents in the Western Athletic Conference.
“Coach DeBerry had the ability to have you believing you could beat anybody,” Dowis said. “I’m thankful that I had the chance to play at the academy and in its system that fit me so well. I had fun, and I’m most proud I played where it’s all about the team.”
Dowis bio
Born: Aug. 2, 1968, in Buford, Ga.
High school: Franklin County, in Carnesville, Ga.
Colleges: Air Force Academy, West Florida
Family: Wife Tracie, daughter Madeline, son Grant
Hobbies: Coaching kids teams
Mind-set: Living life with his family and friends
