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RIVERTON SILVERWOLVES

THE HURRY-UP

Riverton finished 10-2, 5-1 in Region 4; lost in 5A semifinals in 2014.

OFFENSE

Silverwolves coach Mike Miller retired after 11 years, but don't look for new coach Brent Hawkins to stray from the run, run, run offensive formula.

Riverton pounded the ball to the tune of 370 yards a game rushing in 2014, and Hawkins, with the help of offensive coordinator Joe Edmond, will make every attempt to replicate that success with Miller's wing-T scheme.

Hawkins will have to do it with very limited playing experience on the roster. All 11 of the starters on offense graduated, so it'll be quarterback Kaden Wilson, along with running backs Josh Glenn and Branson Mahoney — all seniors — who will carry the load.

When it's time to throw, Wilson will look for Kalen Cook — who did get some playing time last year.

On the line, five seniors will get the chance to prove they can carry on the Riverton tradition of opening holes for the ground game. Center Jonah Larsen, guards Dallin Richards and Parker Rockwell, and tackles Isaac McDougal with Connor Thorn will comprise the Silverwolves' front.

DEFENSE

The Riverton crew was strong against both the pass and run a year ago, but this is also a new group to varsity action.

Senior Simeon Page is the one exception, as he started as a junior in 2014. This year, it'll be just the opposite for Page as much of the defense is younger than him.

All four players slated to start on the line are juniors: Nephi Angilau and Jordan Sommerville at tackle positions, with Kedric Akiona and Brady Cannon at the end spots.

Supplementing Page on the linebacker unit is Kiernan and Cody Harrison, another junior, who is also the quarterback backup on offense.

In the secondary, look for senior Dominick Jeffs and Glenn to man cornerback spots while Cook will also start at safety along with junior Cade Palmer.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The starters for Riverton this year, especially on offense, are the same guys itching to get playing time as juniors in 2014. If they can step up and perform in similar fashion, expect the Silverwolves to contend for a region championship behind Hawkins and a coaching staff — with the exception of former Alta coach Bob Stevens — that they're already familiar with. "The reason I wanted to be the head coach is that we'd keep the continuity of the program," said Hawkins, who was the team's defensive coordinator a year ago.

BIG SHOES

Only one non-senior last year cracked the Riverton starting lineup and that was all-state middle linebacker Simeon Page. Of course, that means that he's the only returning starter for the 'Wolves this season. Last year, Page registered nine sacks and made a whopping 170 tackles. "He's a great run defender and he's getting better at pass defense," Hawkins said.

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH: 3

RETURNING LEADERS

Rushing: Josh Glenn 19-67 yds, 1 TD

Receiving: Kalen Cook 2-42 yds

Tackles: Simeon Page 170

Sacks: Simeon Page 9

2014 RANKINGS

Offense

Scoring: 34.8 ppg (1st in Region 4) (5th in 5A)

Rushing: 370.8 ypg (1st in Region 4) (1st in 5A)

Passing: 105.5 ypg (6th in Region 4) (20th in 5A)

Total: 476.3 ypg (1st in Region 4) (2nd in 5A)

Defense

Scoring: 22.1 ppg (3rd in Region 4) (13th in 5A)

Rushing: 135.4 ypg (2nd in Region 4) (9th in 5A)

Passing: 149.2 ypg (2nd in Region 4) (13th in 5A)

Total: 284.6 ypg (2nd in Region 4) (11th in 5A)

COACHING BIO

Name: Brent Hawkins, 1st year

Record: 0-0

Career Record: 6-14

Alma Mater: Jordan H.S.; U. of Utah

PROJECTED STARTERS

OFFENSE

QB: Kaden Wilson (6-1, 175, Sr.)

RB: Josh Glenn (5-9, 140, Sr.)

RB: Branson Mahoney (5-9, 170, Sr.)

WR: Kalen Cook (6-0, 160, Sr.)

WR: Bryce Bindley (6-2, 170, Sr.)

TE: Ethan Kiernan (5-11, 185, Sr.)

OT: Isaac McDougal (6-1, 175, Sr.)

OG: Dallin Richards (5-5, 175, Sr.)

C: Jonah Larsen (6-2, 270, Sr.)

OG: Parker Rockwell (5-10, 185, Sr.)

OT: Connor Thorne (6-5, 205, Sr.)

DEFENSE

DE: Kedric Akiona (6-0, 175, Jr.)

DT: Nephi Angilau (6-0, 275, Jr.)

DT: Jordan Sommerville (5-10, 250, Jr.)

DE: Brady Cannon (6-4, 190, Jr.)

LB: Ethan Kiernan (5-11, 185, Sr.)

LB: Simeon Page (6-1, 215, Sr.)

LB: Cody Harrison (6-3, 170, Jr.)

CB: Dominick Jeffs (5-9, 165, Sr.)

CB: Josh Glenn (5-9, 140, Sr.)

S: Kalen Cook (6-0, 160, Sr.)

S: Cade Palmer (5-10, 180, Jr.)

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK: Gavin Slack (5-10, 150, Sr.)

P: Drake Downs (5-10, 150, Sr.)

PR-KR: Driscoll Stone (5-10, 150, Jr.)

2015 SCHEDULE

Aug. 21 Sky View, 7 p.m.

Aug. 29 Skyview (ID), 1 p.m.

Sept. 4 at Fremont (17-14), 7 p.m.

Sept. 11 at Lehi (32-13), 7 p.m.

Sept. 18 Lone Peak (46-21), 7 p.m.

Sept. 25 at Herriman (31-28), 7 p.m.

Oct. 2 Westlake (42-30), 7 p.m.

Oct. 9 Pleasant Grove (16-14), 7 p.m.

Oct. 14 at American Fork (18-35), 7 p.m.