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HERRIMAN MUSTANGS
the hurry-up
Herriman finished 8-4, 4-2 in Region 4; lost to Bingham in state quarterfinals
OFFENSE
The Mustangs are in search of a quarterback, but that doesn't seem to dim their prospects, as far as their coach is concerned.
"This is probably the best set of skill guys this high school has ever had," Dustin Pearce said of Herriman's young history.
Senior fullback Kaden Strasters is a returning starter, as is fellow senior Tomasi Tonga at wide receiver. The rest of the ballhandlers are relatively unproven but with ability — like at signal-caller, where senior Stockton Thorne, junior Alex Kingdom and sophomore Hayden Reynolds will vie for the starting quarterback spot.
When it's time to run, which the Mustangs are apt to do, it'll be Strasters getting the tough yards up the middle while seniors Brig Rush and Jake Jutkins will get opportunities at tailback.
It'll all be done behind a beefy front line. Guard Stone Sagala (6-1, 266) is the lightweight of the bunch, with tackle David Vake tipping the scale at 350-plus pounds. Don't be surprised if transfer Leki Fotu (6-6, 260) also gets some time on the O-line.
DEFENSE
The linebacking corps figures to be the strong suit for the Mustangs, as three senior starters return. Cody Eldridge led the team in tackles last year and he'll be joined by middle 'backer Matt Everton, and Peni Mobley on the outside.
The secondary is looking for improvement against the potent Region 4 offenses as Herriman gave up over 170 yards a game last year through the air. Tonga returns at one corner and fellow senior Tanner Rosenhan is also a returning starting cornerback. Expect junior Noah Vaea and senior Preston Miranda to be the primary safeties.
At nose guard, big senior Koa Salanoa (6-1, 305) is also back as a returning starter and he'll get help from Sagala and senior Leone Mahe. As is the case with the offense, Fotu is likely to play a big role at his new school. In California, Fotu had already gained some notoriety as an outstanding rugby player before his move to Utah.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Semifinal participants in Class 5A get to show their stuff off at University of Utah's 45,000-seat stadium, but Herriman has fallen short the last two years — in a tight quarterfinal loss to Brighton in 2013 and then a defeat to eventual champ Bingham last year.
Pearce's crew seems poised to take the next step, with size and just enough returning experience to make a run.
"I really like the camaraderie of this team. These kids really care about each other," Pearce said. "They're ready to get over the hump. They're itching to get to Rice-Eccles."
BIG SHOES
Given that Herriman rushed for almost 300 yards a game last year, it's no secret that the Mustangs will try to bulldoze opponents if possible. A big part of that kind offense will be senior Kaden Strasters, who himself had a per-carry average over six in 2014. Opponents have already seen plenty of the 5-11, 230-pound back, especially around the goal line. Last year, Strasters hit paydirt for ten touchdowns.
Projected Order of Finish: 2
RETURNING LEADERS
Rushing: Kaden Strasters 106-683 yds, 10 TDs
Receiving: Tomasi Tonga 23-316 yds, 2 TDs
Tackles: Cody Eldridge 63
Sacks: Matt Everton 1
Interceptions: Cody Eldridge 4
2014 RANKINGS
Offense
Scoring: 32.1 ppg (3rd in Region 4) (8th in 5A)
Rushing: 290.8 ypg (2nd in Region 4) (2nd in 5A)
Passing: 97.4 ypg (7th in Region 4) (22nd in 5A)
Total: 388.2 ypg (3rd in Region 4) (6th in 5A)
Defense
Scoring: 19.5 ppg (2nd in Region 4) (8th in 5A)
Rushing: 128.2 ypg (2nd in Region 4) (8th in 5A)
Passing: 171.1 ypg (5th in Region 4) (20th in 5A)
Total: 299.3 ypg (3rd in Region 4) (14th in 5A)
COACHING BIO
Name: Dustin Pearce, 3rd year
Record: 14-10
Career Record: 14-10
Alma mater: Hunter H.S., Southern Utah
PROJECTED STARTERS
OFFENSE
QB: Stockton Thorne (5-11, 170, Sr.)
FB: Kaden Strasters (5-10, 175, Sr.)
RB: Brig Rush (5-8, 165, Sr.)
WR: Tomasi Tonga (6-1, 190, Sr.)
OT: Ty Shaw (6-4, 280, Sr.)
OG: Stone Sigala (6-1, 266, Sr.)
C: Moses Redmond (6-1, 295, Sr.)
OG: Leone Mahe (6-1, 295, Sr.)
OG: Troy Tauaalo (6-0, 200, Sr.)
OT: David Vake (6-1, 354, Jr.)
DEFENSE
DL: Koa Salanoa (6-1, 305, Sr.)
DL: Leki Fotu (6-6, 260, Sr.)
DL: Stone Sigala (6-1, 266, Sr.)
DL: Leone Mahe (6-1, 295, Sr.)
LB: Matt Everton (6-0, 235, Sr.)
LB: Cody Eldridge (6-1, 190, Sr.)
LB: Peni Mobley (6-2, 205, Sr.)
CB: Preston Miranda (6-1, 163, Sr.)
CB: Tanner Rosenhan (6-0, 155, Sr.)
S: Tomasi Tonga (6-1, 190, Sr.)
S: Noah Vaea (5-11, 190, Sr.)
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK: Denver Osborne (5-10, 180, Sr.)
P: Noah Vaea (5-11, 190, Jr.)
KR: Brig Rush (5-8, 165, Sr.)
PR: Jake Jutkins (5-6, 165, Sr.)
2015 SCHEDULE
Aug. 21 at Brighton, 7 p.m.
Aug. 28 Bingham, 7 p.m.
Sept. 4 at Hunter, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11 Box Elder, 7 p.m.
Sept. 18 at Westlake, 7 p.m.
Sept. 25 Riverton, 7 p.m.
Oct. 2 Pleasant Grove, 7 p.m.
Oct. 9 at American Fork, 7 p.m.
Oct. 14 at Lehi, 7 p.m.
Oct. 22 Lone Peak, 7 p.m.