This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
EAST LEOPARDS
THE HURRY-UP
East finished 5-6 overall, 3-3 in league play, and lost to Timpview, 18-8, in the first round in 2014.
OFFENSE
According to coach Brandon Matich, East was "not good" last year, offensively. Considering the Leopards averaged 414.3 yards per game — the second-most in Class 4A — and topped the classification in average rushing yards at 306.6 yards per outing, it begs the question: What is Matich's definition of good?
"Our playbook really shrunk last year," Matich said. ""I think we led 4A in rushing per game because we ran power every play. What was our average yard per carry? I don't think it was very good. Our whole philosophy last year was to play keep-away."
A lack of experience, paired with injuries, equated to an unsatisfactory season in the eyes of the program's leaders. That disappointment has translated to higher offseason motivation.
"This team recommitted themselves; they realized last year was a tough thing to go through, and they don't want to do that again," Matich said. "By our standards, last year was not the way East football should be measured."
Within the triple-option offense, the play-making ability at quarterback is crucial. East feels it has that in Johnnie Lang, a transfer from Florida, adds another combination to the Leopards' punch. Matich said his backfield is "absolutely loaded," highlighted by Jaylen Warren and Sione Molisi. Cole Peterson, Soni Fonua, and Loa Kaufusi — one of the top-rated tight end prospects in the state — each offer reliable targets for Lang, while Paul Maile, Napa Nu'usa, Pate Langi, Johnny Maea, Fusi Teisina comprise an offensive line that Matich said "has a chance to be as good as I've ever had."
DEFENSE
It was a mixed bag for the Leopards, defensively, last season. While they advertised one of the top run-stopping units in the classification, they were one of the worst at preventing the pass, surrendering 214.5 yards per game. Adjustments were made in the offseason, with defensive coordinator Gary Bowers implementing a morphing philosophy, rotating between a 3-4 front and a 4-2-5. Historically, East has blitzed frequently and relied on its secondary to work from an island in man coverage. That, too, will change. Look for East to play more zone coverage this season.
"I have a lot of confidence in our defensive line. I think we can put pressure," Matich said. "I think we can let those kids play technique and put pressure on the quarterback themselves. I'm putting a lot of stake in our front guys."
Jordan Anderson is the lone returning starter in the backfield, with new additions including AJ Iloa, Helaman Su'esu'e, Hunter Conley and Daymon Murray. When operating in the 4-2-5, Kaufusi, Laseni Folau, Fonua and Moa Heimuli — who started last season as a freshman — are expected to relieve the pressure from linebackers Soni Fonua and Sati Tu'uhetaufa.
"Both sides of the football were an issue for us last year," Matich said. "We've changed the way we do our defense. We're different schematically; we're different coverage-wise to play to our talent a little better. I expect bigger and better things."
WHAT TO EXPECT
For all intents and purposes, last season was an anomaly. There is no question East is one of the top programs not only in the 4A classification but the entire state. The Leopards' size and speed is elite, which has some opposing coaches comparing them to the 2013 roster that produced 11 next-level talents.
BIG SHOES
Christian Folau was the unquestioned leader last season after starting since his sophomore season. His production is surely missed, but what East needs is a vocal leader on defense.
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH IN REGION: 1
RETURNING LEADERS
Passing: Gavin Herd (Sr.), 17-46-202, 1 TD
Rushing: Heleman Su'esu'e (Jr.), 46 att. 479 yds., 2 TDs
Receiving: Cole Peterson (Sr.), 14 rec., 227 yds., 3 TDs
Tackles: Soni Fonua (Sr.), 43
Sacks: Loa Kaufusi (Sr.), 3
Interceptions: None
2014 RANKINGS
OFFENSE AVERAGE REGION (of 6) CLASS (of 26)
Scoring: 28.6ppg 3 8
Rushing: 306.6ypg 1 1
Passing: 107.7ypg 3 18
Total: 414.3ypg 1 2
DEFENSE
Scoring: 27.9ppg 6 15
Rushing: 94.9ypg 2 3
Passing: 214.5ypg 6 24
Total: 309.4ypg 6 10
COACHING BIO
Name: Brandon Matich
Years with school: 6
Alma mater: University of Utah
PROJECTED STARTERS
OFFENSE
QB: Johnnie Lang (Sr.)
RB: Jaylen Warren (5-9, 200, Jr.)
RB: Sione Molisi (5-6, 160, So.)
WR: Cole Peterson (6-1, 190, Sr.)
WR: Soni Fonua (6-3, 236, Sr.)
TE: Loa Kaufusi (Sr.)
LT: Paul Maile (So.)
LG: Napa Nu'usa (Sr.)
C: Pate Langi (Jr.)
RG: Johnny Maea (Sr.)
RT: Fusi Teisina (Jr.)
DEFENSE
DE: Loa Kaufusi (Sr.)
DT: Moa Heimuli (6-2, 250, So.)
DT: Laseni Folau (Sr.)
DE: Soni Fonua (6-3, 236, Sr.)
LB: Sati Tu'uhetaufa (Jr.)
LB: Junior Maile (Sr.)
DB: Jordan Anderson (6-0, 175, Sr.)
DB: AJ Iloa (Jr.)
DB: Helaman Su'esu'e (Jr.)
SS: Hunter Conley (5-11, 195, Sr.)
FS: Daymon Murray (Sr.)
SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Hayden Carlson (Sr.)
P: Cole Peterson (6-1, 190, Sr.)
R: Daymon Murray (Sr.)
R: Sione Molisi (5-6, 160, So.)
2015 SCHEDULE
Date, opponent, time (2014 result)
Aug. 21, at Syracuse, 7 p.m.
Aug. 28, at Centennial (Calif.), 7 p.m.
Sept. 4, Clearfield, 7 p.m. (Won, 50-33)
Sept. 18, Valor Christian (Colo.), 7 p.m. (Lost, 31-14)
Sept. 25, at Bonneville, 7 p.m.
Oct. 2, at Bountiful, 7 p.m. (Lost, 49-7)
Oct. 9, Box Elder, 7 p.m.
Oct. 14, Highland, 7 p.m. (Lost, 10-3)
Oct. 22, Woods Cross, 7 p.m. (Lost, 45-28)