Note: Hunter finished with a 6-6 overall record in 2014 and tied for first in Region 2 with a 4-1 record. It lost to Brighton 26-21 in the 5A quarterfinals.
WEST VALLEY CITY — It would seem a team wouldn’t feel overlooked and underestimated after winning three straight region titles.
But the Hunter football team said perceptions that Region 2 was the weakest of the 5A regions have them feeling like they have something to prove this season.
“I feel like Hunter is always underestimated,” said Palepoi Gilmore, a senior cornerback and z-back. “I really feel like that’s our focus this year is to come out and prove ourselves. Last year, I thought we did a good job, especially how we dominated over Lone Peak (in the first round of the playoffs).”
Gilmore said the doubters don’t discourage or frustrate him. In fact, he finds motivation in the naysayers and, like his teammates, looks forward to playing a new region that includes some perennial powers like Davis and Syracuse. “If I could choose, I would pick this schedule,” he said. “We like to play the hardest teams in the state.” The Wolverines will take what they’ve always done into their new region with high hopes for even more success than last year’s quarterfinal appearance.
“This is Hunter — smash mouth,” said Hunter head coach Scott Henderson when asked what fans could expect from the program this season. “Line it up and bring it to them.”
Like his players, he’s looking forward to new challenges in what should be a more challenging region schedule.
“I love my region,” Henderson said. “We’ve got to step it up and prove it was no fluke that we won the region championship the last three years.”
The Wolverines return a lot of talent at their skill positions, but the number of big bodies in the trenches is a different story.
“Our depth at line is a little bit lax, but over the process of the season, we’ll build those kids up,” Henderson said. “Our big bodies go to other schools. … That’s one frustrating point, but I don’t worry about it. We just do the best we can with what we have. And we always seem to fare pretty good.”
Most of Hunter’s players will compete on both offense and defense. That requires the young men to work harder to get into shape — which allows them to compete for four quarters and hopefully helps them stay healthy.
Right now, the players are just trying to earn time on the field this fall.
“We’re just waiting for kids to step up,” he said. “We try to be competitive in practice. They need to compete, compete, compete.” Henderson expects senior quarterback Mckay Meidlinger to be one of the team’s big contributors on the field and in the locker room. “He’s started halfway through his freshman year,” he said. “He’s crushed every passing record that we have.” Slot receiver Olson Williams, running back Jerome Fauatea and his little brother Lorenzo Fauatea, a key lineman, join tight end and defensive lineman Jordan Lutui as some of the team’s playmakers.
Meidlinger shrugs at the suggestion that the team’s line may lack depth. “We have a great line,” he said. “They can protect me, protect the running back, get the ball down the field and put some points up.” Like his coach and Gilmore, he’s looking forward to a change in the region schedule this fall.
“It’s more challenging,” he said. “It will be more fun. It will be good for us to play more challenging teams.”
Gilmore said Meidlinger should have a great senior season. “I expect great things from Mckay this year,” he said of Meidlinger, who passed for 1,433 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. Williams, a senior, said he feels compelled to step up as one of the team’s leaders this fall. He said that involves giving his best — on and off the field. “Some of the boys are looking up to me,” he said. “If I don’t go hard, they won’t go hard.”
Senior Samisoni Tonga is one of those linemen who not only need to find a way to make up for whatever size and depth issues the team has on the line. He’s being asked to play right tackle, nose guard and defensive end. “It could be hard,” he admitted of the difficulty of not only playing most of a football game, but also learning multiple positions. “But if you’re in shape, and you’re out here working hard, I think you can be in great shape and play both ways. We have a lot of great guys to help us out.”
He said coach Henderson teaches them to see learning multiple positions as an opportunity.
“He teaches us to be coachable, be a sponge, be able to absorb everything, and if you can do that, you won’t have a problem with understanding the positions you’re going to be playing,” he said. “It’s a great experience to know every position.”
Tonga said he’d play just about any position on the field if it helps the Wolverines win games.
“I’ll do anything to help this team,” he said. “(The lack of depth) just pushes me, and also the line, to work to be a lot better. I think we’ll be OK. We just have to work together and work hard.”
Hunter Wolverines at a glance
Head coach: Scott Henderson begins his fourth year guiding the Wolverines’ football program. He owns a 19-14 record at Hunter, but the Cedar High and SUU alum has been coaching high school football for 20 years.
Offense (7 returning starters; I-backs)
Offensive coordinator: Lee Chart (third year as an assistant)
Returning offensive starters:
Mckay Meidlinger (QB)
Olson Williams (WR)
Duke Atiga (RB)
Lorenzo Fauatea (OL)
David Mapa (RB)
Jerome Fauatea (RB)
Jordan Lutui (TE)
Curtis Pati (OL)
Defense (7 returning starters; 3-4 defense)
Defensive coordinator: Scott Henderson
Returning defensive starters:
Olson Williams (CB)
Duke Atiga (DB)
Lorenzo Fauatea (DL)
David Mapa (DB)
Jerome Fauatea (LB)
Jordan Lutui (DL)
Curtis Pati (DL)
Palepoi Gilmore (CB)
Coaches preseason Region 2 straw poll: Fourth
Deseret News Region 2 prediction: Third
Bottom line: The stable of Hunter running backs is loaded, as usual. But how the line develops could be a key factor in whether the team can run the ball like it usually does. The Wolverines have versatility with an experienced, capable quarterback in Meidlinger. If the Wolverines can stay healthy, they should be a contender in their new region.
Last 5
2014 — 6-6 (4-1 in Region 2 – 5A quarterfinals)
2013 — 6-5 (4-1 in Region 2 – 5A first round)
2012 — 7-3 (5-0 in Region 2 – 5A first round)
2011 — 3-7 (3-2 in Region 2 – 5A first round)
2010 — 7-4 (4-2 in Region 2 – 5A first round)
Hunter coaching history
2012-current — Scott Henderson (19-14)
2011 — Les Hamilton (3-7)
2008-2010 — Dustin Pearce (19-15)
1999-2007 — Wes Wilcken (67-32)
1994-1998 — John Lambourne (40-15)
1990-1993 — Mike Fraser (18-13)
Deseret News Mr. Football recipients
2003 — Ray Feinga, OL
1998 — David Fiefia, RB
Deseret News First Team All-Staters the past 10 years
2014 — Joseph Tiatia, RB
2010 — Ului Lapuaho, OL
2009 — Laau Tanuvasa, RB
2006 — Ray Mulitalo, DL
2005 — Pauli Latu, DL
2005 — Soni Sotele, SP
To view second team and honorable mention all-staters through the years, check out the Deseret News All-State Archives.
Email: adonaldson@deseretnews.com
Twitter: adonsports