Last year I had all kinds of high hopes and it didn’t work out. This year I’m being a little more reserved. – Coach Thane Marshall said.
Note: Milford finished with a 4-6 overall record in 2014 and was third in 1A North with a 1-2 record. It lost to Monticello 34-18 in the 1A quarterfinals.
MILFORD — In his first season as head coach of the Milford Tigers in 2014, Thane Marshall had dreams of leading his team out of the 1A doldrums and into the playoff conversation.
The Tigers went on to compile a 4-6 record, including a first-round loss to Monticello.
“Last year I had all kinds of high hopes and it didn’t work out,” Marshall said. “This year I’m being a little more reserved.”
Still, there are some things for Milford to be excited about, and they begin with junior Jordan Hardy.
In 2014 as a sophomore, Hardy became one of the most well-rounded quarterbacks in 1A, showing the ability to both pass and run. Now entering his third year calling the signals, Marshall feels Hardy can do even more.
“We’ve got big expectations for him and I think he’s gonna be a big-time player this year, let alone next year,” Marshall said. “I’m hoping. That’s what we’re banking on.”
Hardy won’t be making his presence felt on offense only, however. He played safety last year, but Marshall is planning to move him to linebacker in 2015, where he’ll help lead that unit.
“He just likes to hit,” Marshall said. “He’s gonna go the whole deal. He’ll be our return man, too. He’ll be Mr. Everything. Anytime we have to put anybody out there, he’s gonna have to go.”
While Hardy will return at quarterback, the Tigers’ approach on offense will likely end up being quite different than in recent years.
Over the past few seasons, stud running back Wade Netto has led the way, but his graduation combined with good depth in the receiving corps will lead Milford to rely more on the pass this fall.
Marshall estimates that as many as 10 players could contribute in the pass-catching department, with five of them being 6 feet or taller. The coach is particularly excited about Braiden Pomerinke, Ryder Wright, Preston Robinson, Ty Netto, Trae Williamson and Peyton Hardy.
“It’s kind of nice to have that kind of height and speed and hands to go with it,” Marshall said. “Jordan’s going to have free rein and read whoever’s open. Whatever the defense gives him, he’s going to be able to read it.”
Although Netto is gone, the running back position will stay in his family, as his nephew Dane Wunderlich will step into his shoes.
“Once we spread (opponents) out and start to be able to throw the ball, they’re going to have to go out and defend the pass we’re hoping,” Marshall said. “That’ll open up the run...One thing about it is they won’t be able to key in on Wade to stop the offense. We won’t have a so-called superstar this year to key on.”
The offensive line is often what determines whether the whole machine can operate properly, and at the very least, the Tigers will have some experience there.
Anchoring things in the trenches will be Colter Wright, a three-year starter. He’ll be joined by Gus Thompson, McCoy Parker and Dayde Carter.
Marshall is particularly excited about Wright and Thompson.
“He’s really, really matured this year,” Marshall said of Wright. “He spent all year in the weight room. He’s probably improved his physique more than anybody on the team from being in the weight room and working his butt off.”
Marshall is similarly praiseworthy of Thompson.
“If I had 30 Gus Thompsons, that’s all I’d need,” Marshall said. “He gives you everything he’s got and works his butt off.”
Like a few other coaches in 1A this fall, Marshall feels at this point that he’ll have enough bodies to platoon the offensive and defensive lines, although he’s open to using players both ways if quality suffers.
Regardless, leading the way in the defensive trenches will be Wright and Williamson. Thompson will also play there, and Marshall is looking forward to contributions from Colban Henrie and Andy Dominguez.
Joining Hardy at linebacker will be Wunderlich and Carter Hardy. The secondary will be manned by the group who will play receiver on offense. As a whole, the Milford defense will try to improve upon the 26 points per game average it surrendered in 2014.
“I’m hoping they’re gonna be as good as I think they’re gonna be,” Marshall said.
Milford Tigers at a glance
Head coach: Thane Marshall is entering his second season as Milford’s head coach. He amassed a 4-6 record in his first season. He’s a graduate of Beaver High School.
Offense: (5 returning starters, spread offense)
Offensive coordinator: Wes Marshall (two years at school)
Returning offensive starters
Jordan Hardy (QB)
Colter Wright (C)
Dane Wunderlich (RB)
Braiden Pomerinke (WR)
Ryder Wright (WR)
Offensive newcomers to watch
Evan Young (WR)
Ty Netto (WR)
McCoy Parker (OL)
Gus Thompson (OL)
Defense (7 returning starters, 5-2 defense)
Defensive coordinator: Jeff Davis (one year at school)
Returning defensive starters
Jordan Hardy (S)
Braiden Pomerinke (CB)
Preston Robinson (S)
Ryder Wright (CB)
Colter Wright (DL)
Trae Williamson (DE)
Carter Hardy (LB)
Defensive newcomers to watch
Andy Domingez (DL)
Gus Thompson (DE)
Colban Henry (DL)
Coaches preseason Region 1A South straw poll: Third
Deseret News Region 1A South prediction: Fifth
Bottom line: If ever there was a time for Milford to sneak up on teams, this seems to be the year with how many key players Thane Marshall has returning. There is some question about how the running game will fare, but the passing game should be good. The defense as a whole should be solid as well. The biggest question is how much of a leap this team can take in Marshall’s second year at the helm. If significant improvement among the returners takes place, the Tigers can make some noise. If not, it could be another tough year for Milford.
Last 5
2014 — 4-6 (1-2 in 1A North – 1A Quarterfinals)
2013 — 5-5 (0-3 in 1A North – 1A Quarterfinals)
2012 — 1-9 (1-3 in 1A South – 1A Quarterfinals)
2011 — 2-8 (2-6 in 1A – 1A Quarterfinals)
2010 — 3-8 (2-1 in 1A South – 1A Quarterfinals)
Milford coaching history
2014-current — Thane Marshall (4-6)
2010-2013 — Brian Williamson (11-30)
2007-2009 — Robert Langston (8-24)
2000-2006 — Ricky Rose (22-51)
1999 — Daren Cheney (9-3)
1995-1998 — Robert Langston (14-23)
1994 — Franklin Bramall (9-2)
1993 — Mike Grajek (7-3)
1992 — Cleve Weaver (6-5)
1990-1991 — Brennan Jackson (18-4)
1986-1989 — Marvin Magalei (7-26)
1980-1985 — Kevin Barnes (25-28)
1978-1979 — Joe Hillock (2-13)
1977 — Dave Houle (1-7)
1976 — Monte Lee (2-6)
1973-1975 — Bob Andrus (9-20)
1968-1972 — unknown (13-28-2)
1967 — Dick Payne (0-7)
1964-1966 — Ivan Rowley (9-14-1)
1963 — unknown (3-4)
1962 — Jerry Davids (1-6)
1953-1961 — Lee Petty (22-39-3)
1949-1952 — unknown (3-19-2)
Deseret News First Team all-staters the past 10 years
2014 — Wade Netto, RB/LB
2014 — Nathan Barnes, WR/DB
2013 — Wade Netto, RB/SS
2011 — Mauricio Hernandez, WR/DB
2010 — Chad Netto, OL/LB
2009 — Jacob Idhe, QB/FS
2009 — Chris Manuele, OL/DL
2008 — Cade Boyter, RB/LB
2006 — Blake Williams, RB/LB
To view second team and honorable mention all-staters through the years, check out the Deseret News All-State Archives.
Ryan McDonald is a part-time reporter at the Deseret News. Follow him on Twitter @ryanwmcdonald.