Hillcrest Huskies
On Aug. 12, the Deseret News published its preview on the Hillcrest High School football team. Here is what
was written by reporter John Coon.
Last season proved to be an unforgettable one for Hillcrest. But it ended up being unforgettable for all the
wrong reasons.
From the time 22 players walked out of a practice and were subsequently kicked off the football team by
Huskies coach Kirk Merhish, the fall months were defined by turmoil and culminated in a fifth-place region
finish. This year's team has gone to every length to put that ugly episode behind them.
Some of them - like senior running back Anthony Biven - even used a creative flair in dealing with the past.
Biven wrote a song about how the Huskies are emerging from the dark cloud that obscured the program last
season and will be a competitive team. He posted it on his MySpace page. The response his song received
was overwhelming.
"The first day I put it up there - I had at least 40 comments that day," Biven said. "Even (players) from different
regions we're coming on my page and were like - Oh, man I like your song. This song is tight. You guys better
do good this year. I'll be looking for you."'
Biven and his Hillcrest teammates are also hoping to make some sweet music on the field this fall. Given that
several starters are returning and the group emerged from turbulent times as a closer unit, the Huskies feel
like they can be a bigger factor in Region 2 this season.
Defensively, the team's strength is at linebacker. Jesse Hudson was the team's leading tackler a year ago
and should be even tougher after spending a summer at boot camp. The defensive line also has a pair of
returning starters in Austin Neilson and Sean Choi.
On offense, Kolby Koplin will have the quarterback job to himself after splitting time under center with Lucas Li
last season. Joining him in the backfield are Biven and Mike Callahan. Kyle Maughn, known more for his
basketball prowess, will give the Huskies an option at receiver.
Li will anchor a secondary peppered with new faces - including fellow juniors Matt Augustyn and Danny
Thompson. Merhish expects big things out of the trio.
The players also expect big things out of themselves.
"With how much skill we have, we have so much opportunity to go as far as we want, as long as we work hard
in the off season and work hard during the season," Augustyn said.
Merhish feels like his team can be successful this season, largely because so many players matured
through being thrown into the fire in 2007. Instead of turning to bunch of newcomers from the junior varsity
ranks, he has a broad core with varsity experience to draw on.
"I know I've got a good core of kids," Merhish said. "I've got a good core of kids that are going to work hard, that
know right from wrong and, again, know varsity football and the expectations of it."
On Aug. 12, the Deseret News published its preview on the Hillcrest High School football team. Here is what
was written by reporter John Coon.
Last season proved to be an unforgettable one for Hillcrest. But it ended up being unforgettable for all the
wrong reasons.
From the time 22 players walked out of a practice and were subsequently kicked off the football team by
Huskies coach Kirk Merhish, the fall months were defined by turmoil and culminated in a fifth-place region
finish. This year's team has gone to every length to put that ugly episode behind them.
Some of them - like senior running back Anthony Biven - even used a creative flair in dealing with the past.
Biven wrote a song about how the Huskies are emerging from the dark cloud that obscured the program last
season and will be a competitive team. He posted it on his MySpace page. The response his song received
was overwhelming.
"The first day I put it up there - I had at least 40 comments that day," Biven said. "Even (players) from different
regions we're coming on my page and were like - Oh, man I like your song. This song is tight. You guys better
do good this year. I'll be looking for you."'
Biven and his Hillcrest teammates are also hoping to make some sweet music on the field this fall. Given that
several starters are returning and the group emerged from turbulent times as a closer unit, the Huskies feel
like they can be a bigger factor in Region 2 this season.
Defensively, the team's strength is at linebacker. Jesse Hudson was the team's leading tackler a year ago
and should be even tougher after spending a summer at boot camp. The defensive line also has a pair of
returning starters in Austin Neilson and Sean Choi.
On offense, Kolby Koplin will have the quarterback job to himself after splitting time under center with Lucas Li
last season. Joining him in the backfield are Biven and Mike Callahan. Kyle Maughn, known more for his
basketball prowess, will give the Huskies an option at receiver.
Li will anchor a secondary peppered with new faces - including fellow juniors Matt Augustyn and Danny
Thompson. Merhish expects big things out of the trio.
The players also expect big things out of themselves.
"With how much skill we have, we have so much opportunity to go as far as we want, as long as we work hard
in the off season and work hard during the season," Augustyn said.
Merhish feels like his team can be successful this season, largely because so many players matured
through being thrown into the fire in 2007. Instead of turning to bunch of newcomers from the junior varsity
ranks, he has a broad core with varsity experience to draw on.
"I know I've got a good core of kids," Merhish said. "I've got a good core of kids that are going to work hard, that
know right from wrong and, again, know varsity football and the expectations of it."
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