This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
COTTONWOOD COLTS
THE HURRY-UP
Cottonwood finished 5-6 overall, 2-4 in league play, and lost to Hillcrest, 43-41, in the region play-in game in 2014.
OFFENSE
Cottonwood has a rich history of producing talented players in the skill positions, and that should be no different this season. However, first-year coach Mike Tidwell is lacking depth on his roster.
"I feel great. We're very, very, very talented with our ones," Tidwell explained. "We're very shallow, so depth is probably going to be our biggest challenge this year. If we have people with injuries, it's going to hurt us."
Gabriel Hagerman will start at quarterback, after appearing as a freshman, but that's where the depth ends. Hagerman is literally the only true quarterback right now, which illustrates how important staying healthy will be this season.
Noah Montano, who also plays basketball for the Colts, is the primary back, but easily the strongest point of the offense is located in the receiving corps. Taniela Pututau, who holds committable offers from BYU, Utah, Utah State, and Oregon State, joins seniors Austin Tranmer, Tanner Call, and Fua Pututau — an elite prospect who will play more offense than he has his entire career.
The offensive line is experienced with Alex Hart, Siliva Toelupe and Tonga Kichiro back with an entire year of varsity experience under their belts.
"We've got some kids are still developing, and probably the biggest challenge is figuring out as coaches where we're playing all these kids," Tidwell said. "A lot of them can play multiple positions, and right now we've got to make sure we're putting them in the right position to succeed."
DEFENSE
Cottonwood has several players still awaiting approval on their transfer status, which could drastically influence both sides of the ball, but most notably on defense. Pookie Maka has double-digit offers along with Fua Pututau, which would compose one of the nastiest one-two punch on the rush ends.
Tidwell made his name as a defensive coordinator, and he has a lot to work with on the dark side. The Colts were one of the top units in the 5A classification at defending the pass last season, and Adam Yu and Tanner Call return in the secondary. Ma'a Hall is a newcomer to remember.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Cottonwood is going to reflect Tidwell's mentality of playing strong defense, but the program is still rebuilding. That's a hard task to accomplish in the midst of Region 3.
"The most difficult thing is getting more kids out to play," Tidwell explained. "Getting them to buy back in, that Cottonwood used to a big program, let's turn it back to where Cottonwood used to be in the glory days."
BIG SHOES
T.J. Fehoko, who signed at Washington State, recorded 77 sacks during his time at Cottonwood. Obviously that is a ridiculous amount of production, but the Colts are well stocked on the defensive line.
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH IN REGION: 5
RETURNING LEADERS
Passing: Gabriel Hagerman (So.), 15-35-181-1, 3 TDs
Rushing: Noah Montano (Sr.), 39 att., 286 yds., 2 TDs
Receiving: Taniela Pututau (Jr.), 18 rec., 337 yds., 3 TDs
Tackles: Fua Pututau (Sr.), 90
Sacks: Fua Pututau, 6
Interceptions: Tanner Call (Sr.), 3
2014 RANKINGS
OFFENSE AVERAGE REGION (of 7) CLASS (of 28)
Scoring: 22.5ppg 5 17
Rushing: 105.3ypg 6 21
Passing: 78.3ypg 6 25
Total: 183.6ypg 7 27
DEFENSE
Scoring: 25ppg 3 16
Rushing: 177ypg 3 16
Passing: 103.4ypg 2 2
Total: 280.4ypg 2 10
COACHING BIO
Name: Mike Tidwell
Years with school: first year
Alma mater: University of Utah
PROJECTED STARTERS
OFFENSE
QB: Gabriel Hagerman (6-1, 180, So.)
RB: Noah Montano (6-1, 185, Sr.)
WR: Taniela Pututau (6-3, 185, Jr.)
WR: Austin Tranmer (5-11, 165, Sr.)
WR: Tanner Call (6-1, 170, Sr.)
TE: Fua Pututau (6-3, 230, Sr.)
OL: Alex Hart (6-2, 310, Jr.)
OL: Siliva Toelupe (6-0, 260, So.)
OL: Tonga Kichiro (6-0, 285, Jr.)
OL: Isacc Nelson
OL: Mone Fainu
DEFENSE
DE: Fua Pututau (6-3, 230, Sr.)
DT: Tennessee Pututau (So.)
DT: Siliva Toelupe (6-0, 260, So.)
DE: Pookie Maka (Sr.)
LB: Damien Sio (6-1, 180, Jr.)
LB: Ethan Wily (5-10, 180, So.)
DB: Kevin Alvarez (5-11, 160, Sr.)
DB: Ma'a Hall
S: Adam Yu (6-0, 185, Sr.)
S: Noah Montano (6-1, 185, Sr.)
S: Tanner Call (6-1, 170, Sr.)
SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Alex Anderson (5-9, 170, Sr.)
P: Alex Anderson (5-9, 170, Sr.)
R: Noah Montano (6-1, 185, Sr.)
R: Austin Tranmer (5-11, 165, Sr.)
2015 SCHEDULE
Date, opponent, time (2014 result)
Aug. 21, Olympus, 7 p.m. (Lost, 10-6)
Aug. 28, Snow Canyon, 7 p.m. (Won, 35-14)
Sept. 4, at Kearns, 7 p.m. (Won, 27-19)
Sept. 11, at Brighton, 7 p.m.
Sept. 18, West Jordan, 7 p.m. (Lost, 20-19)
Sept. 25, at Copper Hills, 7 p.m. (Won, 42-14)
Oct. 2, Bingham, 7 p.m.
Oct. 8, at Clearfield, 7 p.m.
Oct. 14, at Taylorsville, 7 p.m. (Won, 20-17)
Oct. 22, Jordan, 7 p.m.