Copper Hills Grizzlies 2009 preview
By Dan Rasmussen
Deseret News
Published Aug. 11
WEST JORDAN — According to senior linebacker Braxton
Magalogo, Copper Hills' football program is a lot different this year
than it was last year.
The Grizzlies have a new coach, Kai Kapele, and Magalogo says
he's been pushing his players extremely hard from the end of last
winter up until right now.
"He's helping us a lot and making us condition," said Magalogo.
"That's what we really need. He's making us more like a team . . . I
like it a lot because we really need it. Last year we didn't really
condition at all. It's been pretty intense, (but) I like it because the
coaches are actually on us. They're yelling at us a lot more and are
pushing us a lot harder."
Getting more out of his players has been a huge priority for
Kapele, who took over Copper Hills' program when Art Erickson
resigned after a 4-6 season last fall. A Special Ed. teacher at
Copper Hills High the past nine years, Kapele had previously been an
assistant coach under coach Mike Smith and then Erickson before
leaving football for two years so he could help his wife take care of
their new baby.
Accordingly, while Kapele is trying to breathe new life into Copper
Hills' program, he knows exactly what he's getting into.
"I've been in the building for about nine years, so I'm familiar with
the kids, the community and just kind of the atmosphere and the
mentality that these kids have kind of adapted and owned the last
few years," said Kapele. "We're trying to change their attitude and
get them to believe in themselves. We're focusing on the
fundamentals and the basics."
Copper Hills' football program has struggled mightily throughout
its existence, but Kapele is trying to instill the same winning attitude
and belief that he had as a quarterback at Hawaii's St. Louis High
School back in the mid-1980s.
Kapele quarterbacked St. Louis to a state title back in 1986,
which was the first of 14 consecutive championships won by the
school.
"I've kind of been an old-timer, but 20 years ago when I played, we took ownership," said Kapele. "We
fought, we clawed, we did everything we could to make the play, whether I had to sacrifice my body or not.
"I've noticed that the kids here have never done that. 'If I miss that block, it's OK. If I drop this pass, it's
OK. If I don't run my route, it's OK. Somebody else will take care of me.' This generation is, 'I deserve it'
rather than, 'I'll work for it,' and so we're trying to change that."
In terms of Xs and Os, Kapele will be installing what he called his "dream offense," which will be
balanced between the ran and the pass. Defensively, he said his team will stay with a four-man front.
By Dan Rasmussen
Deseret News
Published Aug. 11
WEST JORDAN — According to senior linebacker Braxton
Magalogo, Copper Hills' football program is a lot different this year
than it was last year.
The Grizzlies have a new coach, Kai Kapele, and Magalogo says
he's been pushing his players extremely hard from the end of last
winter up until right now.
"He's helping us a lot and making us condition," said Magalogo.
"That's what we really need. He's making us more like a team . . . I
like it a lot because we really need it. Last year we didn't really
condition at all. It's been pretty intense, (but) I like it because the
coaches are actually on us. They're yelling at us a lot more and are
pushing us a lot harder."
Getting more out of his players has been a huge priority for
Kapele, who took over Copper Hills' program when Art Erickson
resigned after a 4-6 season last fall. A Special Ed. teacher at
Copper Hills High the past nine years, Kapele had previously been an
assistant coach under coach Mike Smith and then Erickson before
leaving football for two years so he could help his wife take care of
their new baby.
Accordingly, while Kapele is trying to breathe new life into Copper
Hills' program, he knows exactly what he's getting into.
"I've been in the building for about nine years, so I'm familiar with
the kids, the community and just kind of the atmosphere and the
mentality that these kids have kind of adapted and owned the last
few years," said Kapele. "We're trying to change their attitude and
get them to believe in themselves. We're focusing on the
fundamentals and the basics."
Copper Hills' football program has struggled mightily throughout
its existence, but Kapele is trying to instill the same winning attitude
and belief that he had as a quarterback at Hawaii's St. Louis High
School back in the mid-1980s.
Kapele quarterbacked St. Louis to a state title back in 1986,
which was the first of 14 consecutive championships won by the
school.
"I've kind of been an old-timer, but 20 years ago when I played, we took ownership," said Kapele. "We
fought, we clawed, we did everything we could to make the play, whether I had to sacrifice my body or not.
"I've noticed that the kids here have never done that. 'If I miss that block, it's OK. If I drop this pass, it's
OK. If I don't run my route, it's OK. Somebody else will take care of me.' This generation is, 'I deserve it'
rather than, 'I'll work for it,' and so we're trying to change that."
In terms of Xs and Os, Kapele will be installing what he called his "dream offense," which will be
balanced between the ran and the pass. Defensively, he said his team will stay with a four-man front.
| At a glance Coach: Kai Kapele enters his first season as a head football coach. Key players: Receivers Chandler Allen, Chris Martinez, Chandler Johnson and Cam Smith are all expected to make big contributions on offense this fall. In the backfield, Kapele is currently trying to find a quarterback, but whomever he settles on will have the luxury of handing the ball off to running back Colton Fogarty. Defensively, Braxton Magalogo has moved from defensive end to middle linebacker and will lead the way for the Grizzlies' youthful D. Strengths: Depth at wide receiver and a number of returners on offense should undoubtedly help Copper Hills. The Grizzlies will have a number of skilled players to try and get the ball to this fall. Concerns: Copper Hills' biggest challenge — by far — is trying to overcome a losing mentality. It's much easier said than done, and it'll be up to the Grizzlies to prove to everyone that they can do it. Last year: 4-6, didn't make the playoffs. Predicted Region 3 finish: Fifth. Postseason possibilities: Getting to the playoffs in Year 1 of Kapele's tenure would be a big accomplishment for the Grizzlies. |