Kearns Cougars 2009 preview
By Dan Rasmussen
Deseret News
Published Aug. 11
KEARNS — The senior class that graduated out of Kearns' football program after last season was a
special one, a group of guys who played on the varsity team over several seasons and helped make
Kearns football respectable again.
Accordingly, it will be extremely difficult to replace them
and everything they brought to the table, both on the field
and off it.
But fourth-year coach Bill Cosper thinks he has a
class of up-and-coming players who can help fill the
voids those left behind and help the Cougars continue
to take steps forward.
With a pretty good group of juniors and seniors trying
to lead the way this fall, Cosper believes his underclass-
men have the potential to be similar to the group that
graduated last summer — this year and beyond.
"These younger kids that are freshmen and
sophomores very similar to the group (that graduated)
when those kids were sophomores," said Cosper.
"There's some talented guys there. It's just a matter of
them maturing and coming along."
Cosper has seven returning starters on defense but
only two returners on offense, and he knew going into
this past summer that several of his sophomores would
probably earn varsity time this fall.
He conditioned them accordingly.
"We weren't very nice to them in the summer," he said.
"We killed them. We averaged probably 75 kids a day in
summer workouts for our conditioning, and it was tough
conditioning.
"We pushed those young kids because we had to.
They're the guys that are going to have to step up. They're going to have to have some adversity and be able
to push themselves through that adversity."
So far, junior QB J.R. Finai, who started last year as a sophomore, likes what he sees from the
underclassmen.
"As far as young guys (go) that are coming in, they're really talented guys," said Finai, who had offseason
surgery on both of his feet to correct a condition that caused his toes to curl up.
"They've been working hard all summer, and they deserve the jobs. All it takes is a few games at that
varsity level, and we'll be good to go."
Having Finai lead the way on offense will definitely help, but especially early on, Cosper recognizes he'll
be counting on his opportunistic defense, which returns with most of its front-seven intact, to keep the
Cougars in games.
The defensive guys seem ready for that challenge.
"There's some big shoes to fill (on defense), but then again, a lot of the pieces are still in there," said
senior linebacker James Bernard. "We've just got to find some others to fill those holes, and (then) we'll be
looking to knock some heads. That's what we're made for — defense."
What should also help Kearns this fall is a refurbished stadium, as the Granite School District footed the
cost to make badly needed improvements to Kearns' home field.
New stands have been erected on the east side of the field, the press box has been expanded, two new
concessions buildings are going up and the aging bleachers on the west side of the field are being
refurbished.
By Dan Rasmussen
Deseret News
Published Aug. 11
KEARNS — The senior class that graduated out of Kearns' football program after last season was a
special one, a group of guys who played on the varsity team over several seasons and helped make
Kearns football respectable again.
Accordingly, it will be extremely difficult to replace them
and everything they brought to the table, both on the field
and off it.
But fourth-year coach Bill Cosper thinks he has a
class of up-and-coming players who can help fill the
voids those left behind and help the Cougars continue
to take steps forward.
With a pretty good group of juniors and seniors trying
to lead the way this fall, Cosper believes his underclass-
men have the potential to be similar to the group that
graduated last summer — this year and beyond.
"These younger kids that are freshmen and
sophomores very similar to the group (that graduated)
when those kids were sophomores," said Cosper.
"There's some talented guys there. It's just a matter of
them maturing and coming along."
Cosper has seven returning starters on defense but
only two returners on offense, and he knew going into
this past summer that several of his sophomores would
probably earn varsity time this fall.
He conditioned them accordingly.
"We weren't very nice to them in the summer," he said.
"We killed them. We averaged probably 75 kids a day in
summer workouts for our conditioning, and it was tough
conditioning.
"We pushed those young kids because we had to.
They're the guys that are going to have to step up. They're going to have to have some adversity and be able
to push themselves through that adversity."
So far, junior QB J.R. Finai, who started last year as a sophomore, likes what he sees from the
underclassmen.
"As far as young guys (go) that are coming in, they're really talented guys," said Finai, who had offseason
surgery on both of his feet to correct a condition that caused his toes to curl up.
"They've been working hard all summer, and they deserve the jobs. All it takes is a few games at that
varsity level, and we'll be good to go."
Having Finai lead the way on offense will definitely help, but especially early on, Cosper recognizes he'll
be counting on his opportunistic defense, which returns with most of its front-seven intact, to keep the
Cougars in games.
The defensive guys seem ready for that challenge.
"There's some big shoes to fill (on defense), but then again, a lot of the pieces are still in there," said
senior linebacker James Bernard. "We've just got to find some others to fill those holes, and (then) we'll be
looking to knock some heads. That's what we're made for — defense."
What should also help Kearns this fall is a refurbished stadium, as the Granite School District footed the
cost to make badly needed improvements to Kearns' home field.
New stands have been erected on the east side of the field, the press box has been expanded, two new
concessions buildings are going up and the aging bleachers on the west side of the field are being
refurbished.
| At a glance Coach: Bill Cosper takes a better-than-it-sounds 14-18 record into his fourth season as head coach of the Cougars' program. Key players: Especially early on, defense will be key for Kearns. To that end, senior linebacker James Bernard will help lead the way. He's joined by fellow returning starters Justyn Searle, Siosifa Pekipaki, Eddie Saleapaga and D'Andre' Galvin in the front seven. Mantin Smith and Dennis Phaophongsavath are returning starters in the secondary. On offense, QB J.R. Finai and Inoke Felila are both returning starters and will look to lead the way on that side of the ball. Strengths: Kearns should be very solid on defense, with most of the front seven returning from last season. And up and down the roster, it seems that there's talent wherever you look. The Cougars should also benefit from the stability and structure that Cosper has brought to the table. Weaknesses: The Cougars have just two returning starters on offense, and the learning curve, especially early in the season, could be very steep. Last year: 6-5, lost in the first round. Predicted Region 3 finish: Fourth. Postseason possibilities: Kearns should get better and better as the season goes along, and if that happens, winning a postseason game isn't an impossibility. |