Copper Hills Grizzlies
On Aug. 14, the Deseret News published its preview of the Copper Hills High School football team. Here is
what was written by reporter Dan Rasmussen.
Coach Art Erickson has spent the past three years trying to grow something at Copper Hills.
This fall, however, he hopes to finally reap a harvest.
"Progress," "improvement" and "growth" have been buzz words inside Copper Hills' football programs
throughout Erickson's tenure, and a year after starting out 3-1 before finishing 4-6, Erickson and Co. hope to
take some big steps forward in 2008.
"I've spent three years here sinking roots, and we hope something now can flourish above the ground," said
Erickson.
To that end, the Grizzlies will look toward new-found depth as something that will help them get there. For the
first time since he's been at Copper Hills, Erickson said he feels he is legitimately 2-deep at every position.
Graduated stars Kedrick Moeai and Sealver Siliga may be gone to the University of Utah, but Erickson said
the key to success this fall for Copper Hills may be its ability to have solid players at every position, rather than
try and rely on just a few guys.
"I think it was a needed transition for us to improve ourselves in one thing, rather than try and do (multiple
things)," Erickson said of having his players concentrate on one side of the ball.
"We have had good players here, but maybe too much was being asked of one or two guys who were doing
too much. So it could be a maturation of a coach, maybe. I think it's also a maturation of a program, and
everybody wants to be better . . . It was a step that fits what we're doing here in our circumstances."
Inasmuch as Copper Hills has been working to not have to rely on just one guy, however, it's apparent that
senior Clint Jex will be counted on to have another huge defensive season.
In 2007, he ranked third in the state with 12 sacks, and much is expected from the hybrid defensive
end/outside linebacker.
"Clint brings, not only that experience, but that leadership in terms of performance leadership - not just
bravado in the weight room, not just yellin' and screamin' at your teammate, but performance leadership,"
said Erickson. "That's the key element he brings for us."
Jex will be joined by several returning seniors in key positions, but expect some of those roles, if not several
of them, to be filled by juniors.
"There's several juniors that will be asked to play significant roles," said Erickson. "The thing I like about this
junior class is that they augment the senior class very well. There has not been a pecking order in terms of
age or class between juniors or seniors."
On Aug. 14, the Deseret News published its preview of the Copper Hills High School football team. Here is
what was written by reporter Dan Rasmussen.
Coach Art Erickson has spent the past three years trying to grow something at Copper Hills.
This fall, however, he hopes to finally reap a harvest.
"Progress," "improvement" and "growth" have been buzz words inside Copper Hills' football programs
throughout Erickson's tenure, and a year after starting out 3-1 before finishing 4-6, Erickson and Co. hope to
take some big steps forward in 2008.
"I've spent three years here sinking roots, and we hope something now can flourish above the ground," said
Erickson.
To that end, the Grizzlies will look toward new-found depth as something that will help them get there. For the
first time since he's been at Copper Hills, Erickson said he feels he is legitimately 2-deep at every position.
Graduated stars Kedrick Moeai and Sealver Siliga may be gone to the University of Utah, but Erickson said
the key to success this fall for Copper Hills may be its ability to have solid players at every position, rather than
try and rely on just a few guys.
"I think it was a needed transition for us to improve ourselves in one thing, rather than try and do (multiple
things)," Erickson said of having his players concentrate on one side of the ball.
"We have had good players here, but maybe too much was being asked of one or two guys who were doing
too much. So it could be a maturation of a coach, maybe. I think it's also a maturation of a program, and
everybody wants to be better . . . It was a step that fits what we're doing here in our circumstances."
Inasmuch as Copper Hills has been working to not have to rely on just one guy, however, it's apparent that
senior Clint Jex will be counted on to have another huge defensive season.
In 2007, he ranked third in the state with 12 sacks, and much is expected from the hybrid defensive
end/outside linebacker.
"Clint brings, not only that experience, but that leadership in terms of performance leadership - not just
bravado in the weight room, not just yellin' and screamin' at your teammate, but performance leadership,"
said Erickson. "That's the key element he brings for us."
Jex will be joined by several returning seniors in key positions, but expect some of those roles, if not several
of them, to be filled by juniors.
"There's several juniors that will be asked to play significant roles," said Erickson. "The thing I like about this
junior class is that they augment the senior class very well. There has not been a pecking order in terms of
age or class between juniors or seniors."
MatchupUT.com Phone: (801) 520-4330 Email: Bruce@matchupUT.com
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