Brighton Bengals 2009 preview
By Michael Black
Deseret News
Published Aug. 10
COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — Since its championship game appearance in 2005, Brighton has not
won a single playoff game, losing in the first round in 2006 and last season.
But the team believes this is the year for a return to
prominence.
"We definitely are going to be able to compete," said
receiver Jace Felix. "The last couple of years we played a lot
of younger players and didn't have as much talent as we
have now. We have worked harder this offseason than ever
before and we are ready to make some noise."
For a program that made at least the quarterfinals for the
first six years this decade, the team has struggled through
some lean years. It has been not only lean in number of
wins (8-23) but also in terms of players coming out for the
program.
"With our freshmen playing with us, we have just over
100 kids," said coach Ryan Bullett, who is entering his
fourth season at the helm.
"Ten years ago, Brighton had almost that many seniors
and juniors competing for playing time. The area isn't
exactly growing in terms of high-school age kids. But even
with the lower numbers, I expect that this year we have a
team ready to compete. They are a great group of athletes
and we will definitely be better than last year."
The Bengals return 10 starters from last season's
fourth-place (2-8) team in Region 2. But along with the five
starters on each side of the ball returning, there were
several other players that got playing time.
"One of our biggest strengths will be our experience,"
said senior linebacker Dan Hanna. "We had some growing
pains last year, but we have a lot of guys that played a lot
and we are ready to make a jump up in the standings. We
have the players this year that will win some games."
For Brighton to compete in the newly formed Region 4, it
will have to find a way to score more points. The team
scored 10 points or fewer in half its games last season,
and was shutout twice. But Bullett said that is one of the
reasons for the guarded optimism this year.
"We should be much better on offense," he said. "Too
many times last year we couldn't move the ball and put our
defense in some bad spots. If the other team is running
twice as many offensive plays as you are, you are not going
to win a lot of games. We think with this group, we can fix
that."
Felix is one of the team's best weapons. After spending
much of last year at quarterback, he is back to his natural
receiver position, and glad to be there.
"I like it much better," Felix said. "I didn't mind playing quarterback because that is where the team
needed me, but I like playing my natural position and helping out the team there."
Moses Lotulelei is another player the team is counting on to make big plays, and he should find the
going easier this season with three of the big guys up front back opening holes. Ricky Heimuli, J.T.
Strong and Bradley Corser are offensive and defensive lineman that started in '08. They are all back
bigger, stronger and with more knowledge of how to play at this level.
"Our line is going to be pretty good," said Strong. "We all know each other better, and we have all
worked hard to improve. I think that if we can step up and play better than last season, we will be a
good team."
On defense the Bengals should be stout. Besides some big guys back up front, Hanna and Alex
Whittingham have experience and talent in the linebacking crew. Felix will anchor the secondary as
the team tries to gel on that side of the ball.
If the team can stay healthy, which may be the most important issue for the Bengals with limited
depth, Brighton will fight for a playoff spot. With a few bad breaks or some players missing time, a
return to the 5A spotlight may still be a pipe dream.
By Michael Black
Deseret News
Published Aug. 10
COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — Since its championship game appearance in 2005, Brighton has not
won a single playoff game, losing in the first round in 2006 and last season.
But the team believes this is the year for a return to
prominence.
"We definitely are going to be able to compete," said
receiver Jace Felix. "The last couple of years we played a lot
of younger players and didn't have as much talent as we
have now. We have worked harder this offseason than ever
before and we are ready to make some noise."
For a program that made at least the quarterfinals for the
first six years this decade, the team has struggled through
some lean years. It has been not only lean in number of
wins (8-23) but also in terms of players coming out for the
program.
"With our freshmen playing with us, we have just over
100 kids," said coach Ryan Bullett, who is entering his
fourth season at the helm.
"Ten years ago, Brighton had almost that many seniors
and juniors competing for playing time. The area isn't
exactly growing in terms of high-school age kids. But even
with the lower numbers, I expect that this year we have a
team ready to compete. They are a great group of athletes
and we will definitely be better than last year."
The Bengals return 10 starters from last season's
fourth-place (2-8) team in Region 2. But along with the five
starters on each side of the ball returning, there were
several other players that got playing time.
"One of our biggest strengths will be our experience,"
said senior linebacker Dan Hanna. "We had some growing
pains last year, but we have a lot of guys that played a lot
and we are ready to make a jump up in the standings. We
have the players this year that will win some games."
For Brighton to compete in the newly formed Region 4, it
will have to find a way to score more points. The team
scored 10 points or fewer in half its games last season,
and was shutout twice. But Bullett said that is one of the
reasons for the guarded optimism this year.
"We should be much better on offense," he said. "Too
many times last year we couldn't move the ball and put our
defense in some bad spots. If the other team is running
twice as many offensive plays as you are, you are not going
to win a lot of games. We think with this group, we can fix
that."
Felix is one of the team's best weapons. After spending
much of last year at quarterback, he is back to his natural
receiver position, and glad to be there.
"I like it much better," Felix said. "I didn't mind playing quarterback because that is where the team
needed me, but I like playing my natural position and helping out the team there."
Moses Lotulelei is another player the team is counting on to make big plays, and he should find the
going easier this season with three of the big guys up front back opening holes. Ricky Heimuli, J.T.
Strong and Bradley Corser are offensive and defensive lineman that started in '08. They are all back
bigger, stronger and with more knowledge of how to play at this level.
"Our line is going to be pretty good," said Strong. "We all know each other better, and we have all
worked hard to improve. I think that if we can step up and play better than last season, we will be a
good team."
On defense the Bengals should be stout. Besides some big guys back up front, Hanna and Alex
Whittingham have experience and talent in the linebacking crew. Felix will anchor the secondary as
the team tries to gel on that side of the ball.
If the team can stay healthy, which may be the most important issue for the Bengals with limited
depth, Brighton will fight for a playoff spot. With a few bad breaks or some players missing time, a
return to the 5A spotlight may still be a pipe dream.
| At a glance Coach: Ryan Bullett is entering his fourth season as the head coach. In college, the fourth season is supposed to be when a coach is judged, giving the program time to adjust to the new style. The Hillcrest grad has an 8-23 mark in three seasons and his looking for improvement. Key Players: The Bengals have 10 returning starters, five on each side of the ball. Jace Felix will be a three-year starter, and after filling in as quarterback last season, is returning to his more natural receiver position. Ricky Heimuli has received the most publicity as a college prospect on the offensive and defensive lines. Alex Whittingham will also be a three-year starter at linebacker, and Dan Hanna joins him as an impact player at fullback and linebacker. J.T. Strong and Brad Corser are also returning starters back on the lines. Moses Lotulelei will be a threat any time he touches the football. Strengths: It is rare to ever hear a coach say that one of his team's strengths is going to be experience, but along with 10 returning starters, Brighton played a lot of young players that now know what it takes to get it done at the varsity level. Weaknesses: Depth. It is hard for a team with players going both ways to compete against guys that are well rested. Brighton's numbers are still not as strong as it would like, and unfortunately, that means some guys are going to be out on the field for long stretches. Last year: 2-9, lost in the first round of the 5A state playoffs. Prediction Region 4 finish: Sixth Postseason possibilities: After squeezing in last season as a No. 4 seed, the Bengals are looking to at least duplicate that feat. But with a brutal region, they will be fighting for every win and simply making the playoffs would be a good accomplishment for this team. |