This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Kamas • South Summit is entrenched in its winning ways, and any change is cautiously approached. The Wildcats have thrived from the current staff essentially remaining intact for the past decade, so when longtime coach Jerry Parker stepped down to escape the exhaustion of being a head coach after the 2014 season, there was concern.
That anxiety was put to rest when Aaron Tillett, who had served as the defensive coordinator for the past 10 years, simply swapped jobs with Parker, who was retained as the offensive coordinator following his retirement from teaching. Basically nothing changed, and that's exactly how they want it.
"The core staff has been the same," said Tillett. "The philosophy doesn't change. Our summer weight program doesn't change. Our offensive and defensive schemes don't change. Our practice schedules don't change. The kids just know exactly what we're going to do, how we're going to do it, and what we expect out of them. … When I took over, I didn't change a lick of anything, and I did that for a reason."
Reversing roles hasn't been awkward or frustrating for either coach. Tillett makes the final call opposed to Parker, but it hasn't clouded how either functions.
"It's been a collaborative effort for 10 years, so really it's not uncomfortable," Tillett said. "It's not strange or odd. He's as vocal as ever. We have a relationship where he doesn't feel like he's stepping on my toes and I don't step on his toes. We have disagreements, but since we've been together for so long — we're not afraid to air those disagreements with one another. We have a lot of trust, and we're here to help the program win."
Winning is what South Summit does best. The Wildcats (4-0) currently hold the state's longest winning streak at 14 consecutive victories since a seven-point loss against Morgan on Aug. 29 of last season. That loss was avenged this year with a seven-point win in double-overtime against the Trojans.
"It's almost expected because of the recent success we have had," said Tillett's son, Isaac, who leads the team in rushing. "We expect not to lose at all."
Dating to 2007, South Summit is 76-20 (79.2 percent), with three semifinal and four championship-game appearances. The Wildcats won consecutive titles the past two seasons, posting a combined record of 22-2 during that span.
Last week the program made history as the first Class 2A program to be listed in The Tribune's statewide Top 25 rankings, which, granted, are new this season. But, hey — history is history.
"I think it's quite an accomplishment," Isaac said. "This program is getting a lot of respect over the years from everything we've done. We have the credentials. I think we earned that spot. A lot of people coming into this season didn't think we'd be in the position we are in right now. I just say: 'Prove 'em wrong.' ''
Is this the year?
Provo has started 4-0 for the first time since 1988. That season featured a Bulldog win against Timpview, marking the third consecutive win against the Thunderbirds. They'd extend the streak to four games the following year in 1989, which is the last time any Provo player can claim beating the orange and blue. Timpview has won 25 consecutive games against its crosstown rival by an average score of 37-10. Many feel the gap between the programs has closed, so is this the year Provo gets it done?
Twitter: @trevorphibbs —
Friday's schedule
Bear River at Park City
Beaver at Enterprise
Ben Lomond at Logan
Brighton at Taylorsville
Carbon at Emery
Cedar at Dixie
Clearfield at Sky View
Copper Hills at Bingham
Corner Canyon at American Fork
Cyprus at Olympus
Davis at West
Desert Hills at Hurricane
Grantsville at Union
Gunnison at North Summit
Herriman at Westlake
Hillcrest at Kearns
Hunter at Granger
Judge at Stansbury
Layton Christian at Wayne
Lehi at Pleasant Grove
Lone Peak at Riverton
Manti at Canyon View
Maple Mountain at Tooele
Monticello at Duchesne
Morgan at Juan Diego
Mountain View at Timpanogos
North Sanpete at Delta
North Sevier at Grand
Northridge at Weber
Ogden at Bonneville
Orem at Alta
Parowan at Milford
Pine View at Snow Canyon
Provo at Timpview
Rich at Kanab
Richfield at Juab
Roy at Fremont
Salem Hills at Uintah
Skyline at Murray
South Sevier at San Juan
South Summit at American Leadership
Springville at Spanish Fork
Summit Academy at Millard
Syracuse at Viewmont
Valor Christian, Colo. at East
Wasatch at Payson
West Jordan at Cottonwood
West Wendover at Altamont, 5 p.m.
Whitehorse at Cottonwood
Woods Cross at Bountiful
All games 7 p.m., except where noted