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HIGHLAND RAMS
THE HURRY-UP
Highland finished 7-4 overall, 4-2 in league play, and lost to Salem Hills, 14-7, in the first round in 2014.
OFFENSE
Highland is never going to be predicated on the passing game. Now in his 10th season at Highland, coach Brody Benson's downhill, physical rushing game has become a staple. However, when the Rams have truly contended for the state title is when they have the ability to at least threaten with the pass. Benson feels Highland has that potential this year.
"We're never going to live by it, that's not how we're built, but when we throw, we want to make it hurt," Benson said. "Hopefully our run game is going to set that up with our play-action, where we always have that threat to run that will loosen up the edges. When we're dangerous is when they load the box and we can get one over the top of them, and I think we have the ability to do that."
Tasked with the responsibility to conducting the show is junior James Pembroke, who saw significant action when incumbent senior starter John Hunter suffered an injury last season. Lacking varsity test runs, the receiving corps is talented but unproven. Nathan Roderick highlights that group, while Lilo Clark contributes support in the passing game and upfront blocking at tight end.
Where Highland's talent really shines this season is in the backfield, where Talo Latu, Devon Seui and David Nonu collectively add differing elements of style to frustrate opposing defensive schemes. The Rams averaged slightly less than 200 yards rushing per game, and with one extra year of experience on the résumé, the only potential setback of increasing that production this season is on the offensive line, where three new starters join Andrew Gramer and Jayden Palauni.
"That's where we have the least amount of experience — that's kind of where we've got to really put our focus on," Benson said. "Offensive line is hard to rotate guys in the middle of the game, so you really want to get guys set, knowing exactly what they're doing, and being confident to play fast. We're a downhill offense, and you got to play fast every single snap. Once their comfort level, as far as knowing their assignment, goes up, then you start to see speed increase, where they're not thinking they're reacting."
DEFENSE
Region 5 is a heavyweight brawl. Five of the six programs ranked in the top 10 in the 4A classification in rushing offense last season, which makes Highland's depth on the defensive line an immeasurable advantage. Keeping fresh faces in the trenches to pressure the quarterback, frees up the linebackers and safeties to bear down on ball-carriers.
"I'm looking at 10 to 12 defensive linemen that will be able to rotate," Benson said. "You look last year, when we played Salem Hills, they go on a 19-play drive and punch it in, and my four defensive lineman flip over and start on the offensive side. It was downhill from there. We were gassed, and could never get it back. It's nice having some depth at that position."
Palauni and Braden Saddler will remain two-way starters on the defensive interior, but receive more frequent breaks. Latu and Nonu are back as two-way starters at linebacker, too.
Experience is scattered throughout the secondary with three returners in Jake Boren, Devon Seui and Andrew Parkin. Senior Christian Garcia is expected to start on the opposite corner of Boren. The confidence in the back end will allow Highland to bring the heat, believing its secondary can man up receivers.
"When we're successful we have the ability to put pressure on the quarterback," Benson said. "We're not going to sit back. We're going to get after people."
WHAT TO EXPECT
The expectation of competing for region and state hardware is ingrained in the Highland program. The early exit in the postseason last year has not deterred that vision, and with the strength in the skill positions, the Rams will certainly be tough once again.
BIG SHOES
Brandon Jones and Alassane Niang essentially carried the passing game last season. They're both gone, with no one fully emerging from the rest of the pack to solidify the receiving corps. Who steps up? And can they make the defense honest?
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH IN REGION: 3
RETURNING LEADERS
Passing: James Pembroke (Jr.), 3-7-49, 1 TD
Rushing: James Pembroke, 36 att., 307 yds., 5 TDs
Receiving: Jake Boren (Jr.), 5 rec., 75 yds., 1 TD
Tackles: Talo Latu (Sr.), 41
Sacks: David Nonu (Sr.), 1
Interceptions: Andrew Parkin (Sr.), 1
2014 RANKINGS
OFFENSE AVERAGE REGION (of 6) CLASS (of 26)
Scoring: 24.2ppg 5 12
Rushing: 197.2ypg 4 9
Passing: 86ypg 5 20
Total: 283.2ypg 6 17
DEFENSE
Scoring: 14.9ppg 3 4
Rushing: 113.3ypg 4 6
Passing: 124.4ypg 2 2
Total: 237.7ypg 2 3
COACHING BIO
Name: Brody Benson
Years with school: 10
Alma mater: Southern Utah University
PROJECTED STARTERS
OFFENSE
QB: James Pembroke (5-11, 170, Jr.)
RB: Talo Latu (5-10, 225, Sr.)
RB: Devon Seui (6-0, 185, Sr.)
RB: David Nonu (5-9, 195, Sr.)
WR: Nathan Roderick (5-9, 165, Sr.)
TE: Lilo Clark (6-0, 180, Jr.)
LT: Colton Pulver (6-0, 200, Jr.)
LG: Braden Saddler (6-2, 220, Jr.)
C: Andrew Gramer (5-11, 230, Sr.)
RG: Jayden Palauni (6-3, 245, Sr.)
RT: Kenta Yamazaki (Jr.)
DEFENSE
DE: Jayden Palauni (6-3, 245, Sr.)
DT: Mason Netzler (6-0, 255, Jr.)
DT: Samuela Tupola (5-11, 260, Sr.)
DE: Braden Saddler (6-2, 220, Jr.)
LB: Talo Latu (5-10, 225, Sr.)
LB: David Nonu (5-9, 195, Sr.)
LB: Lilo Clark (6-0, 180, Jr.)
DB: Jake Boren (5-8, 150, Jr.)
DB: Christian Garcia (5-9, 155, Sr.)
SS: Devon Seui (5-0, 185, Sr.)
FS: Andrew Parkin (5-9, 145, Sr.)
SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Camron Keyvani (Jr.)
P: Undetermined
R: Jake Boren (5-8, 150, Jr.)
R: Andrew Parkin (5-9, 145, Sr.)
2015 SCHEDULE
Date, opponent, time (2014 result)
Aug. 21, Mountain Crest, 7 p.m. (Won, 16-13)
Aug. 28, at Olympus, 7 p.m.
Sept. 4, at Sky View, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11, Bountiful, 7 p.m. (Lost, 19-14)
Sept. 18, at Box Elder, 7 p.m.
Sept. 25, Provo, 7 p.m.
Oct. 2, Woods Cross, 7 p.m.
Oct. 14, at East, 7 p.m. (Won, 10-3)
Oct. 23, Bonneville, 7 p.m.