Independent football preview: Ogden Tigers

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Ogden High School football coach Kent Taylor encourages his players during a summer conditioning workout Thursday June 11, 2015. The team belongs in Class 4A purely by enrollment numbers, but the football program argued during recent UHSAA realignment meetings that, based on a historic lack of competitiveness, it should be dropped down a classification or two to allow the program to rebuild.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Next season's Ogden High School football players run wind sprints during a summer conditioning workout Thursday June 11, 2015. The team belongs in Class 4A purely by enrollment numbers, but the football program argued during recent UHSAA realignment meetings that, based on a historic lack of competitiveness, it should be dropped down a classification or two to allow the program to rebuild.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Next season's Ogden High School football team players crab walk down stadium stairs during a summer conditioning workout Thursday June 11, 2015. The team belongs in Class 4A purely by enrollment numbers, but the football program argued during recent UHSAA realignment meetings that, based on a historic lack of competitiveness, it should be dropped down a classification or two to allow the program to rebuild.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
The Ogden High School football team huddles up for a final talk after a summer conditioning workout Thursday June 11, 2015. The team belongs in Class 4A purely by enrollment numbers, but the football program argued during recent UHSAA realignment meetings that, based on a historic lack of competitiveness, it should be dropped down a classification or two to allow the program to rebuild.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Ogden High School football coach Kent Taylor, center, circles his players for a final talk after a summer conditioning workout Thursday June 11, 2015. The team belongs in Class 4A purely by enrollment numbers, but the football program argued during recent UHSAA realignment meetings that, based on a historic lack of competitiveness, it should be dropped down a classification or two to allow the program to rebuild.

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune
Coach Kent Taylor talks with sophomore player Ashton Loosli who is fitted with pads and helmet after practice Wednesday, June 10, 2015.
After last season's struggle, Ogden High School's football program decided to play an independent schedule for the next two years.

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Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Ogden High School football coach Kent Taylor encourages his players during a summer conditioning workout Thursday June 11, 2015. The team belongs in Class 4A purely by enrollment numbers, but the football program argued during recent UHSAA realignment meetings that, based on a historic lack of competitiveness, it should be dropped down a classification or two to allow the program to rebuild. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Next season's Ogden High School football players run wind sprints during a summer conditioning workout Thursday June 11, 2015. The team belongs in Class 4A purely by enrollment numbers, but the football program argued during recent UHSAA realignment meetings that, based on a historic lack of competitiveness, it should be dropped down a classification or two to allow the program to rebuild. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Next season's Ogden High School football team players crab walk down stadium stairs during a summer conditioning workout Thursday June 11, 2015. The team belongs in Class 4A purely by enrollment numbers, but the football program argued during recent UHSAA realignment meetings that, based on a historic lack of competitiveness, it should be dropped down a classification or two to allow the program to rebuild. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune The Ogden High School football team huddles up for a final talk after a summer conditioning workout Thursday June 11, 2015. The team belongs in Class 4A purely by enrollment numbers, but the football program argued during recent UHSAA realignment meetings that, based on a historic lack of competitiveness, it should be dropped down a classification or two to allow the program to rebuild. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Ogden High School football coach Kent Taylor, center, circles his players for a final talk after a summer conditioning workout Thursday June 11, 2015. The team belongs in Class 4A purely by enrollment numbers, but the football program argued during recent UHSAA realignment meetings that, based on a historic lack of competitiveness, it should be dropped down a classification or two to allow the program to rebuild. Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Coach Kent Taylor talks with sophomore player Ashton Loosli who is fitted with pads and helmet after practice Wednesday, June 10, 2015. After last season's struggle, Ogden High School's football program decided to play an independent schedule for the next two years.

By Tom Wharton The Salt Lake Tribune

· August 15, 2015 9:44 am

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

OGDEN TIGERS

THE HURRY-UP

Ogden finished 0-10 overall, 0-6 in league play and did not qualify for the playoffs. The Tigers will compete as an independent this year and will not be eligible to play in the state tournament.

OFFENSE

Coach Kent Taylor has some tools on offense, with quarterback Cameron Mortensen, running back Keith Freeman and receiver Jaxon Clarke returning. As he tries to rebuild a struggling program, this could be the best place to build.

DEFENSE

Ogden gave up 311 points in a winless season a year ago. That is going to have to improve to get the Tigers some win. Defensive end Paul Rodriguez returns.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Going independent in an effort to rebuild is somewhat of a gamble, though it is difficult to see Ogden having any success at all in realigned Region 5 that includes traditional powers East, Bountiful, Highland and Woods Cross. The Tigers aren't playing an easy schedule, either. Getting three wins and not getting blown out in most games would be considered a success this season.

COACHING BIO

Name: Kent Taylor

Years at Ogden: Third

RETURNING LEADERS

Passing: Cameron Mortensen (Sr.), 120-271-1,369-13, 7 TDs

Rushing: Keith Freeman (Sr.), 73 att, 257 yds

Receiving: Jaxon Clarke (Jr.), 26 rec, 214 yds

Tackles: N/A

Sacks: N/A

Interceptions: N/A

2015 SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time (2014 Result)

Aug. 21, Wasatch, 7 p.m. (Lost, 33-13)

Aug. 28, Minico, Idaho, 7 p.m.

Sept. 4, Payson, 7 p.m.

Sept. 11, at Snow Canyon, 7 p.m.

Sept. 18, at Bonneville, 7 p.m. (Lost, 49-14)

Sept. 25, at Judge, 7 p.m.

Oct. 2, at Box Elder, 7 p.m. (Lost, 63-6)

Oct. 9, at Park City, 7 p.m.

Oct. 14, Uintah, 7 p.m. (Lost, 37-21)

Oct. 23, at Ben Lomond, 7 p.m. (Lost, 32-7)