Cyprus Pirates 2009 preview
By John Coon
Deseret News
Published: Aug. 3
MAGNA — If one thing defines the Cyprus football program heading into its first season of 5A
competition, it is change.
Not only are the Pirates no longer a 4A school, but they are also breaking in a brand new coaching
staff. Gone is longtime head coach Sonny Sudbury. Taking his place is Brian Jacketta — another
Cyprus alum. With Jacketta now at the helm, both the offense and the defense have undergone
extensive overhauls during the offseason.
Perhaps the most radical change is Jacketta's decision
to implement a spread offense in place of the traditional run-
oriented attack that Sudbury favored during his tenure. The
reasoning behind making such a dramatic change isn't as
much radical as it is practical.
Jacketta knows his team does not possess enough size
to play smash-mouth football with region rivals such as
Cottonwood or Hunter. So he sees the spread as a way to
buy time for his skill players to get the ball and make plays
downfield.
"From our standpoint, we want to get our playmakers
the ball and space," Jacketta said. "We believe we have
some athletes that are able to make plays in space, and
we're going to try to create that space with the formations
and with our scheme to be able to utilize their talent and
their athleticism."
Switching offenses does not mean Cyprus plans to
abandon the running game that has been a staple in
seasons past. There is too much depth in the backfield
for that to happen. George Thomas, a senior, was the
team's number two rusher a year ago. Albert Wolfgramm
and wing back Tali Foliaki will also get plenty of carries.
On defense, the Pirates can utilize several experienced
seniors to anchor that unit.
Cyprus looks solid on the line — led by returning
starters Owen Tauteoli and Wes Martinsen. And the
Pirates' secondary has plenty of depth to draw upon as
well, with Thomas, Wolfgramm, Foliaki, new quarterback
David Numan and receiver Josh Bennett all expected to
be major components in the rotation there.
Because of the new offense, the Pirates are pinning
their hopes on the defense being a reliable anchor to the
team early in the season.
"Defense wins games," Tauteoli said. "I feel that we need to have a strong defense."
Cyprus is also hopeful that having multiple seniors on the line and at skill positions will help it adjust
to the rigors of 5A football at a quicker pace.
"We've played on Friday nights, so we know how it is," Thomas said.
Many people inside and outside Magna questioned the wisdom of moving Cyprus from 4A to 5A in the
latest round of realignment. Some difficulties associated with moving up are lessened by the fact that
the majority of last year's Region 6 teams made the transition to 5A with the Pirates.
Jacketta also believes the fact that a number of key players have already seen some live action at the
varsity level will keep change from bogging down the team's progress early in the season.
"We got some kids with some game experience," Jacketta said. "They're learning new systems on
both sides of the ball. So that will take away a little bit of that (advantage). I think, however, that
experience will ultimately help us to get over the hump."
By John Coon
Deseret News
Published: Aug. 3
MAGNA — If one thing defines the Cyprus football program heading into its first season of 5A
competition, it is change.
Not only are the Pirates no longer a 4A school, but they are also breaking in a brand new coaching
staff. Gone is longtime head coach Sonny Sudbury. Taking his place is Brian Jacketta — another
Cyprus alum. With Jacketta now at the helm, both the offense and the defense have undergone
extensive overhauls during the offseason.
Perhaps the most radical change is Jacketta's decision
to implement a spread offense in place of the traditional run-
oriented attack that Sudbury favored during his tenure. The
reasoning behind making such a dramatic change isn't as
much radical as it is practical.
Jacketta knows his team does not possess enough size
to play smash-mouth football with region rivals such as
Cottonwood or Hunter. So he sees the spread as a way to
buy time for his skill players to get the ball and make plays
downfield.
"From our standpoint, we want to get our playmakers
the ball and space," Jacketta said. "We believe we have
some athletes that are able to make plays in space, and
we're going to try to create that space with the formations
and with our scheme to be able to utilize their talent and
their athleticism."
Switching offenses does not mean Cyprus plans to
abandon the running game that has been a staple in
seasons past. There is too much depth in the backfield
for that to happen. George Thomas, a senior, was the
team's number two rusher a year ago. Albert Wolfgramm
and wing back Tali Foliaki will also get plenty of carries.
On defense, the Pirates can utilize several experienced
seniors to anchor that unit.
Cyprus looks solid on the line — led by returning
starters Owen Tauteoli and Wes Martinsen. And the
Pirates' secondary has plenty of depth to draw upon as
well, with Thomas, Wolfgramm, Foliaki, new quarterback
David Numan and receiver Josh Bennett all expected to
be major components in the rotation there.
Because of the new offense, the Pirates are pinning
their hopes on the defense being a reliable anchor to the
team early in the season.
"Defense wins games," Tauteoli said. "I feel that we need to have a strong defense."
Cyprus is also hopeful that having multiple seniors on the line and at skill positions will help it adjust
to the rigors of 5A football at a quicker pace.
"We've played on Friday nights, so we know how it is," Thomas said.
Many people inside and outside Magna questioned the wisdom of moving Cyprus from 4A to 5A in the
latest round of realignment. Some difficulties associated with moving up are lessened by the fact that
the majority of last year's Region 6 teams made the transition to 5A with the Pirates.
Jacketta also believes the fact that a number of key players have already seen some live action at the
varsity level will keep change from bogging down the team's progress early in the season.
"We got some kids with some game experience," Jacketta said. "They're learning new systems on
both sides of the ball. So that will take away a little bit of that (advantage). I think, however, that
experience will ultimately help us to get over the hump."
| At a glance Coach: Brian Jacketta is entering his first season as a head coach. Key players: Cyprus will count on a host of seniors to lead it on offense and defense. David Numan steps in at quarterback. Behind him, George Thomas, Tali Foliaki and Albert Wolfgramm will all see time in the backfield. Owen Tauteoli, Justin Jones, Levi Peterson and Kitione Taufai are expected to fill key spots on the line. Virtually all of these players will play both ways. Strengths: Experience at several positions should pay dividends for the Pirates. They will need it to navigate a tough schedule featuring six teams that went to the playoffs in '08 – including defending 3A champ Juan Diego. Jacketta points to speed as a major asset at the skill positions. Weaknesses: A lack of size will make life difficult against teams like Cottonwood and Hunter. It may also take time to fully work out the kinks in the new spread offense, which could spread trouble with three tough road games awaiting in the first half of the season. Predicted Region 2 finish: 6th Postseason possibilities: It remains to be seen how installing new schemes on offense and defense will affect Cyprus, but such a major transition could make reaching the playoffs a tough proposition. The Pirates face their top three region opponents on the road, meaning they will likely need to win all three home region games to be safe. It is not impossible — but the odds of getting a playoff berth do not favor Cyprus. |