Cottonwood Colts
On Aug. 6, the Deseret News published a preview of the Cottonwood High School football team. Here is
what was written by reporter John Coon.
If there were any season where all the necessary ingredients seemed to be in place for Cottonwood to
make a big splash in the 4-A title chase, this would be the one.
The Colts have an experienced offensive line that is anchored by a pair of high-level Division I prospects in
John Martinez and Percy Taumoelau. Cottonwood has plenty of potent players who can put up points in a
hurry behind that line — led by senior running back Isi Sofele, one of the state's best at that position.
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To read the Salt Lake Tribune's
preview of Cottonwood, click here
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"This group on offense — they have the chance to be really special," Colts coach Cecil Thomas said.
"They've played together for a long time now."
And the defense, though still young and raw at some spots, has plenty of talent to draw on.
Creating success in the regular season has not been an issue in recent seasons. Advancing through the
playoffs is another story. Since their move to 4A in 2005, the Colts often find themselves lumped in with
state title contenders — only to suffer one early playoff exit after another.
"It annoys me but, at the same time, it makes me want to go harder," said Martinez, about the playoff
disappointments.
How well Cottonwood does could largely hinge on just how quickly its youthful defense can mature.
The Colts will start three sophomores on the defensive line. The other position groups are a little less
green, with two senior linebackers anchoring that unit and the secondary returning a starter and a pair of
key reserves returning from last fall.
Thomas thinks a little game experience is all that is needed on that side of the ball to bring it up to the level
the offense already enjoys.
"Our scheme is there," Thomas said. "I'm not worried about scheme and I'm not worried about the athletes
we have over there. It's just a matter of becoming mature on that side of the football. Everything else is
there."
Everything is already there on offense. Sofele showed just how dangerous of a runner he could be last fall
when he torched opposing defenses for 1,436 yards and 18 touchdowns on 237 carries.
His teammates are expecting even bigger things from him this fall.
"Isi is amazing,' Martinez said. "He's so shifty that the linebackers don't even know what to do with him."
Cottonwood is far from one-dimensional. Senior quarterback Steve Romero can make plenty of good
things happen with his arm too. Romero threw for 2,080 yards and 15 touchdowns while completing 54
percent of his passes a year ago.
With a group of speedy receivers for him to throw to - a collection of players whom Thomas describes as
the fastest he has seen in several years - Romero believes the Colts possess a capability to match any
defensive strategy thrown at them.
"It's going to be a chess game, pretty much," Romero said.
If that proves to be the case, Cottonwood hopes it will be the one forcing checkmate this time around.
On Aug. 6, the Deseret News published a preview of the Cottonwood High School football team. Here is
what was written by reporter John Coon.
If there were any season where all the necessary ingredients seemed to be in place for Cottonwood to
make a big splash in the 4-A title chase, this would be the one.
The Colts have an experienced offensive line that is anchored by a pair of high-level Division I prospects in
John Martinez and Percy Taumoelau. Cottonwood has plenty of potent players who can put up points in a
hurry behind that line — led by senior running back Isi Sofele, one of the state's best at that position.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To read the Salt Lake Tribune's
preview of Cottonwood, click here
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"This group on offense — they have the chance to be really special," Colts coach Cecil Thomas said.
"They've played together for a long time now."
And the defense, though still young and raw at some spots, has plenty of talent to draw on.
Creating success in the regular season has not been an issue in recent seasons. Advancing through the
playoffs is another story. Since their move to 4A in 2005, the Colts often find themselves lumped in with
state title contenders — only to suffer one early playoff exit after another.
"It annoys me but, at the same time, it makes me want to go harder," said Martinez, about the playoff
disappointments.
How well Cottonwood does could largely hinge on just how quickly its youthful defense can mature.
The Colts will start three sophomores on the defensive line. The other position groups are a little less
green, with two senior linebackers anchoring that unit and the secondary returning a starter and a pair of
key reserves returning from last fall.
Thomas thinks a little game experience is all that is needed on that side of the ball to bring it up to the level
the offense already enjoys.
"Our scheme is there," Thomas said. "I'm not worried about scheme and I'm not worried about the athletes
we have over there. It's just a matter of becoming mature on that side of the football. Everything else is
there."
Everything is already there on offense. Sofele showed just how dangerous of a runner he could be last fall
when he torched opposing defenses for 1,436 yards and 18 touchdowns on 237 carries.
His teammates are expecting even bigger things from him this fall.
"Isi is amazing,' Martinez said. "He's so shifty that the linebackers don't even know what to do with him."
Cottonwood is far from one-dimensional. Senior quarterback Steve Romero can make plenty of good
things happen with his arm too. Romero threw for 2,080 yards and 15 touchdowns while completing 54
percent of his passes a year ago.
With a group of speedy receivers for him to throw to - a collection of players whom Thomas describes as
the fastest he has seen in several years - Romero believes the Colts possess a capability to match any
defensive strategy thrown at them.
"It's going to be a chess game, pretty much," Romero said.
If that proves to be the case, Cottonwood hopes it will be the one forcing checkmate this time around.
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