Kearns proved that the 2015 season was no fluke by repeating that success with a second straight 8-3 campaign last year.
Coach Matt Rickards and his players are eager to take the next step, even if it means it has to be done in a higher classification.
“I don’t know if they even care to be quite honest,” said Rickards, whose team was in Class 4A last year but move up to the inaugural 6A for 2017. “There’s no big difference between 6A and 5A or even the big 4A schools like Desert Hills and Dixie.”
Rickards feels good that much of his offensive line, which he says his team relies on, is back. Where that translates into success remains to be seen. But the Kearns’ coach knows where his players want to be come October.
“A lot of these kids want to get to Rice-Eccles Stadium and see what that’s like,” Rickards said.
“It’s no secret Kearns hasn’t won a region championship or a playoff game in 20-plus years. We want to make the change from being a good team to a great team.”
KEARNS COUGARS <br>Coach • Matt Rickards, fifth year <br>Last season • 8-3, 4-1 in Region 6; Advanced to Class 4A opening round <br>State championships • 1972, 1989 <br>2017 SCHEDULE <br>Aug. 18 • at Copper Hills, 7 p.m. <br>Aug. 25 • West Jordan, 7 p.m. <br>Sept. 1 • Cottonwood, 7 p.m. <br>Sept. 8 • at Olympus, 7 p.m. <br>Sept. 15 • Lone Peak, 7 p.m. <br>Sept. 22 • at Cyprus, 7 p.m. <br>Sept. 29 • at Hunter, 7 p.m. <br>Oct. 6 • Hillcrest, 7 p.m. <br>Oct. 13 • Granger, 7 p.m. <br>Oct. 18 (Wed.) • at Riverton, 7 p.m.
Behind center • Sese Felila (5 foot 8, 160 pounds) is a senior who “runs like a big guy,” Rickards said. And he put up numbers like a star running back last season, topping out at 1,700 yards with a 7.4 yards-per-carry average. Felila, last season’s region offensive MVP, will be joined in the backfield by fullback Marcel Barcelone (5-11, 185), a good blocker who can catch passes out of the backfield. At quarterback will be last year’s starting safety, Isaac Matua (6-3, 210), who takes over for graduated signal-caller John Bass.
Ball hawks • Barcelone’s versatility allows him to line up in a slot, and Matua undoubtedly will be looking for him on pass plays along with sophomore newcomer Isaiah Afatasi (5-10, 165) at wideout. While other receivers are being broken in, Kearns also will utilize a pair of tight ends — senior Neko Jardine (6-2, 220), who moves out from the line, and senior Jalen Lenoir (6-2, 200). Senior Marcus Solomona (6-0, 180) was tested defensively at cornerback over the summer and “didn’t allow any catches,” said Rickards, who hopes that carry over into the regular season.
In the trenches • “If we’re strong anywhere, it’s on the offensive line,” said Rickards , who has four of his five regulars returning from last year. Senior Jake Proctor (5-9, 250), a starter since his freshman year, is “as strong as get-out” his coach said and will be at right guard. The tackle positions are set with senior Logan Floyd (6-4, 275) on the left and senior Michael Pacheco (6-1, 250) on the right. Another senior, Willie Hendrix (5-8, 250), is set for starting duty at either center or a guard position. Proctor and Pacheco also will play on the defensive front, with nose guard Alejandro Aguinaga (6-2, 300), a big senior who doubles as the school’s soccer goalie in the spring.
Hit men • Junior Kalux Manuo (5-10, 195) earned varsity time as a sophomore at linebacker, where he’ll see much more time this season as well as on special teams. He’ll get tackling assistance from junior Audrick Afatasi (5-9, 180) and Barcelone in the linebacking corps. Francisco Garcia (5-9, 160) started four games and made 17 tackles as a cornerback last season, setting the example for secondary players like junior Mekhi Bright (5-10, 160) and senior Brayden Larrabee (5-8, 160) this time around.
Key returners • Sese Felila, Sr. (RB); Jake Proctor, Sr. (OG/DE); Logan Floyd, Sr. (OT); Michael Pacheco, Sr. (OT/DL)
Key losses • John Bass, QB; Jaeden Tonumaipe’a, LB/RB; Samuel Fetzer, RB; Journey Buba, WR/S
The next wave • Isaac Matua, Sr. (QB); Isaiah Afatasi, So. (WR); Alejandro Aguinaga, Sr. (NG); Audrick Afatasi, Jr. (LB)
