Ninety-one points. That is Juan Diego's combined score the last two years during games it eliminated Kanab from the 2A state playoffs.
During those same games, the Cowboys scored a combined 56 points, usually plenty of offense to win football games.
Kanab coach Bucky Orton was faced with a dilemma. With superb running backs Brandon Brown and Evan Orton both back again this year, coach Orton could have altered nothing and crossed his fingers about a future Juan Diego meeting in the playoffs. The alternative was to assume Kanab's offense would be fine and drastically focus on improving a very suspect defense.
Orton opted for Plan B, and Kanab is the clear favorite in 2A South as a result.
"We feel with Evan and Brandon we'll be able to move the ball and score," said defensive coordinator Coby Glover. "We know to go all the way we'll have to be able to stop some teams."
In an effort to improve the defense, Orton and Glover attended a coaches clinic at Washington State University. The Cougars of the Pac-10 play an aggressive 4-3 defensive scheme, and the Kanab coaches believe a similar defense is a good fit for the Cowboys.
To accomplish that, Orton tapped into a family pipeline straight to Washington State's defensive line coach. Orton's older brother Wade played college football at Weber State. One of his best friends was Rob Akey, who has since moved up the coaching ladder from Weber State to Northern Arizona and now to Washington State.
"A lot of the reasons we did this had to do with our personnel," said Glover. "We knew we were going to be short on linebackers, and we knew we'd be stacked on defensive backs and safeties. Essentially, with the defense we're running this year, our two safeties are going to be like linebackers."
There's a learning curve involved with the new defense, which produced much confusion during the team's summer camp. Toward the end of that camp, however, Glover's players gradually acclimated to the defense's nuances. With two more weeks of practice to hone their understanding, Kanab's defense could give opponents fits.
Now all Orton and Brown need to do is hold up their end of the equation.
As juniors last year, Orton carried the ball 263 times for 1,573 yards and 19 touchdowns. Brown only touched the ball 119 times, but his 10.53 per-carry average produced 18 touchdowns.
"There's going to be a lot of pressure on those two kids," said Glover.
Orton, coach Bucky Orton's nephew, is the focal point of the offense. At 5-foot-11, 215 pounds, Orton is a bruising between-the-tackles runner who is good for about four yards per carry. Kanab is content giving Orton the ball every snap until opposing defenses commit to stopping him. Once that happens the Cowboys mix things up with Brown, a very quick runner who also scored three special teams touchdowns last year.
"He is pure speed and quickness," said Glover.
Racking up yards and touchdowns shouldn't be a problem for Orton and Brown. Whether or not the Cowboys enjoy playoff success hinges on how well they, along with Kanab's other defenders, play defense.
2A South Team Capsules
1. KANAB: Senior quarterback ClintDouse is an upgrade this year in terms of arm strength, something the Cowboys are hoping to utilize more this year. With outstanding running backs BrandonBrown and EvanOrton, rushing the ball is still the team's strength. Brown and Curtis Roundy are both returning starters at safety, while AndyHeaton and DannyJohnson are also back at cornerback. 2003 RECORD: 10-2. PLAYOFFS: Lost in semifinals.
2. MILLARD: Coach MarshallSheriff doesn't quite know what to expect after losing all but two starters. With only five projected senior starters, the Eagles will rely heavily on underclassman, who are better than average according to Sheriff. Senior MabenLarsen will start at QB after playing most of last year. JakeGroesbeck will start at running back, while SladeTurner will do much of the blocking. 2003 RECORD: 11-1. PLAYOFFS: Lost in semifinals.
3. SAN JUAN: Defensive end ChaseFlannery is as good as coach MontyLee has ever seen. Linebacker Jeremy Arthur is also a key defensive cog. San Juan will starter four lineman over 200 pounds (ColtonHunt, TyrellPilling, JeffreyRedhorse, RyeAdams). The quartet's responsibility is protecting QB JordonBradford, and opening running lanes for JoshShumway. 2003 RECORD: 7-4. PLAYOFFS: Lost in quarterfinals.
4. RICHFIELD: With six starters back on offense, and three on defense, coach DaveClark believes his team can crack the top three in region. ParkerDeMille and AustinSomers are both quick running backs who will count on lineman ChrisLyons and KadeColby to open up some running lanes. Junior MikeCosta will start at QB. 2003 RECORD: 2-8. PLAYOFFS: None.
5. BEAVER: The lines should be the Beavers strength. AndrewMorris, RandenLassingo and DustinCarter are all big kids who will play on both sides of the ball. First-year starter MorganBradshaw will be taking the snaps at quarterback. BenRoberts is a versatile player who will start at running back and linebacker. 2003 RECORD: 5-6. PLAYOFFS: Lost in quarterfinals.
6. SOUTH SEVIER: Coach TravisMcAllister said his team's goal is to make the playoffs, and with CarsonChristensen at QB that's a very realistic goal. As a sophomore last year, Christensen threw for 1,715 yards and 18 TDs. KileyJensen returns at linebacker and running back after an injury sidelined him most of last year. DerekObray and CaseyJensen are also key players. 2003 RECORD: 3-6. PLAYOFFS: None.
7. NORTH SEVIER: Forget about the team's 0-9 record last year, first-year coach PaulTorgerson is excited about rebuilding a struggling program, but knows it won't be easy. The Wolves will be a solid running team with returning starters BrockMorrison and ColtonCamp. Doing much of the blocking for the running back duo will be fellow senior KelbyWestbrook. 2003 RECORD: 0-9. PLAYOFFS: None.
Coming Friday: Region 2A North
E-mail: jedward@desnews.com