OREM — For the first several years after Timpanogos High School opened, the Timberwolves football team was being run over by fellow Region 7 teams like it was nothing but a bunch of practice blocking dummies.
That's all changed in recent years under the helm of head coach Frank Bramall. He doesn't give himself much of the credit, however, instead pointing out that the school's athletes now stay to play at Timpanogos rather than competing for one of the neighboring schools.
The T-Wolves had a winning record last season and won a state playoff game for the first time — a huge step for the football program. Many of the stars on that team are back for the 2003 season.
Bramall, on the other hand, is not. He was called to active duty by the National Guard last December to serve in Kuwait. He likely won't be released until November, after the football season is over.
Last year's head assistant coach Darren DeGracie is guiding the team this season on a one-year interim basis. Because of all the off-field issues that a head coach has to deal with, DeGracie doesn't have ambitions to make his temporary job permanent. He knows the 2004 Timpanogos team will again be Bramall's. With the talent that will take the field for the T-Wolves this season, however, he's never been more excited to be a coach.
"I think the players see the potential before them and they're staying pretty focused at the task at hand," DeGracie said.
The man he's replacing for a year was actually home last week on leave and stopped by practice to give his assessment.
"If they play as a team and don't have any key injuries, they're as good as anyone in the state," Bramall said. "It's just a matter of peaking at the right time."
Regardless of how far the T-Wolves go this season in Region 7 and the state playoffs, Bramall believes the school's football program has reached a level of respectability.
"I think now we can legitimately compete with every team and have a winning record year in and year out," he said.
Bramall returned to Kuwait Sunday night. Even though he's a half-a-world away now, his heart will be in the football trenches of Utah Valley each Friday night.
"It's going to be hard not being here to see them reap the rewards. Even if I could just watch," Bramall said.
2003 schedule
Aug. 22 - at Woods Cross
Aug. 29 - at North Sanpete
Sept. 5 - Provo
Sept. 12 - at Spanish Fork
Sept. 19 - at Orem
Sept. 26 - at Emery
Oct. 3 - Mountain View
Oct. 10 - at Lone Peak
Oct. 24 - Pleasant Grove
E-MAIL: jimr@desnews.com