This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

HILLCREST HUSKIES

THE HURRY-UP — Hillcrest finished 2-9 in 2015, and 1-4 in league play.

First-year Huskies coach Cazzie Brown has a plan to change the football culture at Hillcrest. Coming from Highland High School, where he worked as a defensive coach for five years, Brown and his team are working hard to change the identity of the program.

"Relentless effort, hard work, power in the unit," Brown said of his team's core principles. "And doing those things, we've started to build that culture, and culture drives behavior. Our behavior is changing; we're getting guys that are showing up and we're here on time. There's not a lot of lollygagging, there's not a lot of fake injuries and stuff like that to try and get out of the grind."

Brown added that while he knows he has his work cut out for him, "the cupboard wasn't bare when I showed up. … Being at those other schools where we've been very successful, that same type of talent is walking through these hallways and they're wearing this Hillcrest green."

QUARTERBACKS — Jayden Jensen has a slight edge on Tyson Flores in the competition to determine who will run the triple-option attack from under center. Jensen was the backup as a junior and has set an example to the rest of the team with the amount of work he's put in, according to Brown. Flores moved from Idaho after winning a state championship there. Brown said he was pleased how both players have been helping one another get better.

RUNNING BACKS — Booker McGuire returns after carrying the ball 157 times as a junior and will be a workhorse for Hillcrest. Ezra Moleni is also back following his 347 yards on the ground. Karris Davis is a dynamic runner who can get to a second gear. Alex Cardona blends power and speed and will also get plenty of touches.

RECEIVERS — Skill players need to be able to hold their blocks in an option-based offense, and Michael Kutch is a big body who will factor into the passing game when the Huskies throw. Though he's built like a defensive lineman, a position where he'll also get time, he has decent hands.

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN — Alex Wonders is the only returning starter, but Braden Taylor adds size and strength to the front. Keala Mahe has played long snapper for the Huskies and is vying for playing time amongst a group of newcomers that will fill out the rest of the line.

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN — Michael Kutch will be one of the difference makers here with his size and strength needed to control the line of scrimmage in the Huskies' 4-2-5 base defense, which is occasionally altered to a 4-3. Alex Wonders and other fellow offensive lineman will also see time.

LINEBACKERS — Brody Roemmich, even though he's just a sophomore, has emerged as one of the leaders on defense and is poised for a breakout season. Alex Cardona and Booker McGuire return and are looked at as the playmakers at linebacker. Ashby McKay and Christopher Guttierrez round out a deep position for Hillcrest.

DEFENSIVE BACKS — Karris Davis and Greg Slants are experienced safeties with improving coverage skills. Josh Haywood and Dallas Gould are set to start at the cornerback positions.

KEY PLAYERS

Booker McGuire, RB — McGuire's nine touchdowns and 846 rushing yards were both team bests during his junior campaign.

Ezra Moleni, RB — One of Hillcrest's top two receivers as a sophomore, Moleni is a versatile back who is increasingly productive with each carry he gets.

Alex Cardona, LB — In only five games as a sophomore Cardona managed 27 tackles and two sacks.

KEY LOSSES

Dalton Dallimore, LB — A standout on defense, Dallimore's 69 tackles and five sacks were both team highs.

Gavin Herd, QB — Herd led the Huskies with 1,129 yards of offense last season.

Kingston Nicholls, RB — Nicholls' 7.9 yards per carry were the best mark by a Hillcrest player.

NAME TO KNOW

When Brown was speaking to his players about who their captains should be for the upcoming season, Brody Roemmich's name kept coming up despite only appearing in one game last season. Roemmich is a lanky linebacker who could be a star for Hillcrest defensively.

2016 SCHEDULE

Aug. 19 — LEHI, 7 p.m. (Lost, 34-12, in 2015)

Aug. 26 — ALTA, 7 p.m. (Lost, 34-22)

Sept. 2 — WESTLAKE, 7 p.m. (Lost, 31-6)

Sept. 9 — at Granger, 7 p.m. 

Sept. 15 — KEARNS, 7 p.m. (Lost, 41-14)

Sept. 23 — SKYLINE, 7 p.m. (Lost, 35-14)

Sept. 30 — OLYMPUS, 7 p.m. (Lost, 49-28)

Oct. 7 — at Cyprus, 7 p.m. (Won, 28-10)

Oct. 14 — at Murray, 7 p.m. (Lost, 49-7)

VERDICT

Brown has increased the numbers of kids he has to choose from to build a stronger team, but the group in place is somewhat inexperienced. Hillcrest has the talent to stay in league contests and win one or two of them. It will be an uphill struggle, yet the Huskies are moving in the right direction.

PREDICTED FINISH IN REGION:  Fifth