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BEN LOMOND SCOTS
THE HURRY-UP
Ben Lomond finished 1-9 overall, 0-6 in league play, and did not qualify for the postseason in 2014.
OFFENSE
Optimism reigns at Ben Lomond to start the 2015 campaign. Although the Scots were knocked around for the majority of last season, and quite frankly — withholding any sugar — for more than a decade. Ben Lomond snapped its 25-game losing streak by beating Ogden in 2014, but has still lost 33 of its past 35 games. Dating back to its last winning record in 2000, the Scots are 23-116 overall.
But for the first time in six years, Ben Lomond has consistency in the coaching staff, with Eric Alder returning for his second season at the helm. He believes the pieces are in place for the Scots to be more competitive this season, which, in turn, will change the direction of the entire program for the future.
"I think my expectations, at least for the offense, are pretty high," Alder said. "I think we have some pretty good, explosive athletes that are now in their second year with the same scheme. We have a lot of playmakers, and I think no matter what defenses do, I feel confident we have an answer for it."
Ben Lomond will attack from the spread offense, with junior Kenyon Harris back at quarterback. He headlines the very young corps of skill players that features only one senior.
"He started four games last year for us as a young sophomore," Alder said of Harris. "He had a very productive summer with the 7-on-7 tournaments. He threw the ball very well, made good decisions. I feel good about what we have in place."
DEFENSE
Similar to the offense, the defense understands the 4-2-5 scheme in the second year of operation. It was tough sledding in 2014, as Ben Lomond yielded 38.2 points per game and nearly 300 yards of rushing each Friday night. It's simple: If the defense doesn't improve, the offensive firepower Alder is giddy about will be overshadowed.
"The biggest things we have to do from last year to this year, is it all comes down to fundamentals," Alder said. "Guys need to execute their assignments better, and they need to tackle better. I feel like this is a bunch of kids that are going to get that done. The motivation and desire from the offseason is going to carry over. We're going to execute better defensively than we have."
WHAT TO EXPECT
Improvement. That's the bottom line, and any improvement is a step in the right direction. The Scots will be more competitive, but that doesn't mean they will qualify for the postseason, or even escape the cellar of their own region, but definitely expect them to compete.
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH IN REGION: 7
2014 RANKINGS
OFFENSE AVERAGE REGION (of 7) CLASS (of 13)
Scoring: 21.4ppg 6 10
Rushing: N/A 7 13
Passing: N/A 7 13
Total: N/A 7 13
DEFENSE
Scoring: 38.2ppg 7 13
Rushing: 294.9ypg 7 13
Passing: 128.7ypg 4 5
Total: 423.6ypg 7 12
COACHING BIO
Name: Eric Alder
Years with school: 1
Alma mater: Sky View High
PROJECTED STARTERS
OFFENSE
QB: Kenyon Harris (Jr.)
RB: Angelo Rios (Jr.)
WR: Deontay Nish (Jr.)
WR: Connor Barrow (Jr.)
WR: Mickey Dunkley (Jr.)
TE: Kadence Rentmeister (Sr.)
OT: Sean Smith (Sr.)
OG: JaLonnie Williams (Sr.)
C: Seth Ellis (Jr.)
OG: Isreal Garcia (Sr.)
OT: Nico Lopez (Sr.)
DEFENSE
DE: Alex Gray (Sr.)
DT: Isreal Garcis (Sr.)
DT: JaLonnie Williams (Sr.)
DE: Kadence Rentmeister (Sr.)
LB: Johnny Gallegos (Jr.)
DB: Connor Barrow (Jr.)
DB: Mickey Dunkley (Jr.)
SS: Angelo Rios (Jr.)
FS: Deontay Nish (Jr.)
SPECIAL TEAMS
K/P: Jacob Jensen (Sr.)
R: Deontay Nish (Jr.)
2015 SCHEDULE
Date, opponent, time (2014 result)
Aug. 21, Richfield, 7 p.m.
Aug. 28, at Carbon, 7 p.m.
Sept. 4, Morgan, 7 p.m. (Lost, 38-6)
Sept. 11, Park City, 7 p.m. (Lost, 45-26)
Sept. 18, at Logan, 7 p.m.
Sept. 25, Bear River, 7 p.m. (Lost 33-22)
Oct. 2, Tooele, 7 p.m. (Lost, 28-7)
Oct. 8, at Judge Memorial, 7 p.m.
Oct. 14, at Stansbury, 7 p.m. (Lost, 53-19)
Oct. 23, Ogden, 7 p.m. (Won, 32-7)