Despite a region switch, not much else will change for Juan Diego, the two-time defending Class 3A state champion.
The Soaring Eagle will remain in 3A and have some notable players returning. They’ll still run the triple option and they still will be led by coach John Colosimo.
“We never talk about repeating or winning a championship,” Colosimo said. “I don’t put any pressure on them to win a state title. Our goal is always to try and be the best football team we can be. You can’t just measure your season based off if you win a championship because you’ll be disappointed more often than not.”
The big change in 2017 will be a shift from the 3A North to the 3A South
“I don’t know a whole lot about some of these teams yet, but I do know that there are some great coaches in this new southern region,” Colosimo said. “It’s going to be competitive, and it’s going to be a battle for each team every week.”
Juan Diego Soaring Eagle <br>
Coach • John Colosimo<br>Last season • 8-4, 4-1 in Class 3A North <br>2016 playoffs • Def. Canyon View 42-21; def. Juab 61-36; def. Delta 35-21 in Class 3A state title game<br>State championships • 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016<br>Other state championship appearances • 2003<br>2017 schedule<br>Aug. 18 • at Bear River, 7 p.m. <br>Aug. 25 • Judge Memorial, 7 p.m. <br>Sept. 1 • at Skyline, 7 p.m. <br>Sept. 8 • Murray, 7 p.m. <br>Sept. 15 • at North Sanpete, 7 p.m. <br>Sept. 22 • at Richfield, 7 p.m. <br>Sept. 29 • Manti, 7 p.m. <br>Oct. 6 • Juab, 7 p.m. <br>Oct. 13 • Summit Academy, 7 p.m.
Behind center • After making a successful switch from receiver to quarterback last season, senior Zach Hoffman returns to the offensive backfield to run the Soaring Eagle triple option. “He’s a smart kid and he works hard,” Colosimo said. “He’s got great speed, and in our offense, the quarterback needs to be part of the running game.” Despite a returner under center, Juan Diego needs to fill two giant holes at tailback with the departures of Ryan Baker and Stone Azarcon. Seniors Alfonso Preciado and Peyton Seim look like natural fits to fill those spots, but juniors Tristen Tonozzi and Cooper Rust also could see playing time.
Ball hawks • Senior Dallen Davis returns as the team’s leading receiver after finishing with two touchdown receptions in the state title game last season. Junior Conner Turner also is expected to make some plays out wide for the offense, while Peyton Seim and senior Dawson Stiefel are Colosimo’s noted defenders who “get after it and fly to the football.”
In the trenches • Four of the starting offensive front five from last season return in 2017. Seniors Kyle Abundo and Matt Kobs and juniors DJ Larson and Monroe May bring back plenty of varsity snaps. Abundo and Kobs also will be featured on the defensive line with the remainder of the defensive rotation still to be determined.
Hit men • Senior Max Butkovich will be a returning starter at middle linebacker, while junior Cooper Rust returns as a starter on the outside. Tristen Tonozzi and Sam Knudson also are expected to be hard hitters in the middle of the defense, but Colosimo is comfortable with testing several guys on the defense. “I really like our defense,” he said. “They all fly to the ball, they’re all pretty athletic with good size and speed. We need to be better on defense this year, and I’m hoping some of these young kids will make it better.”
Key returners • Zachary Hoffman, Sr. (QB); Alfonso Preciado, Sr. (RB/FS); Dallen Davis, Sr. (WR/CB); Max Butkovich, Sr. (LB/RB); Tristen Tonozzi, JR. (RB/LB)
Key losses • Ryan Baker, RB (1,143 yards rushing, 16 TD; 228 yards receiving, 2 TD); Stone Azarcon, RB/DB (1,043 yards, 11 TD; 33 tackles, 2 sacks); Nicolas Bianchi, TE/LB (128 yards, 1 TD; 91 tackles, 2 sacks)
The next wave • Cooper Rust, Jr. (RB/LB/SS); Sam Knudsen, Jr. (TE/DE/LB); Monroe May, Jr. (OL/DL); DJ Larson, Jr. (OL/DL)
Tom Zulewski | For The Tribune The Juan Diego Soaring Eagle football team celebrates after winning the 2016 Class 3A football state title in Cedar City.