Note: Union finished with a 9-3 overall record in 2014 and was second in 3A North with a 4-1 record. It lost to Juab 21-14 in the 3A semifinals.
ROOSEVELT — In the year before Matt Labrum took over as head coach at his alma mater, Union’s football team suffered through a winless season.
In the past three years, however, his teams have won five, four and nine games respectively, with the 2014 team reaching the 3A semifinals. It’s an upward trend Labrum hopes to see continue.
“Obviously we’re taking steps in the right direction. (Last year’s) group really put hard work in the summer, and they worked well together and they were a fun group and I thought they left their lasting legacy,” said Labrum.
It was a team led by senior all-staters Tye Winterton, Nic Smith, Jordan Gurr and Paul Kaufusi, but all four graduated.
The 2015 season will be a great test to see if Union’s program has reached a point where it can reload, or if last year’s nine victories was an isolated success, the result of a great senior class.
“Everybody is hungry. We lost some really good kids, and they did some good things for us, but we have some great kids coming back and some new ones that will step in and do a good job for us,” said Labrum.
Union was one of the better teams in 3A last year averaging 33.3 points per game, but this year Labrum expects his team to be a little more defense-oriented.
With three-year starters Winterton and Smith leading the offense last year, the Cougars had two very good playmakers. The offense will be a little more methodical this year, which could put more pressure on the defense.
Six starters are back from last year’s team, but just two from the front seven — defensive lineman Troy Tauaalo and linebacker Korbyn Bertoch. All the others are in the secondary.
“If we can get some lineman that can handle the plays and do their 1/11th I think we’ll be alright,” said Labrum.
Offensively, the big question mark is at quarterback.
Reluctantly, but for the good of the team, Vil Lutui is moving from receiver to quarterback this season. He admits he’s nervous about the extra responsibility, but he’s approaching the challenge positively.
“That’s what I like about him. He doesn’t want to be the quarterback, but he knows that’s where we need him. He’s a great athlete and he’s a good leader,” said Labrum.
“I think he can do great things carrying the ball, but I think he’ll surprise some people with his arm. He’s able to make some pretty good reads and I think we’ll be balanced enough to do different things that way. We want the ball in his hands and that’s what we talked to him about.”
Labrum expects to use Carson Kelly at quarterback a bit as well this season to spell Lutui and keep him relatively fresh for his important role on defense.
Another player expected to take on a larger role in the offense is Weston Horrocks. An all-state defensive back last year, he’s expected to fill the void left by Smith who rushed for over 1,900 yards last year.
Smith missed last year’s season opener against Ben Lomond, and Horrocks started in his place rushing for 342 yards and five touchdowns on 38 carries. After Week 1, he moved to slot receiver and finished with 295 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
“He’s very unselfish but does everything. We’re excited to be able to showcase him a little bit more in the backfield,” said Labrum.
Henrique Moreira and Everett Miller are returning starters at receiver. They combined for 683 yards and four touchdowns.
How successful the offense is ultimately falls on the shoulders of the offensive line, which is in pretty good shape with returning starters Bertoch and Braden Harding. Bertoch has played quarterback, tight end and offensive line in his four years with Union.
“He’s a kid that does anything and everything that’s asked to win ballgames and you love to have those type of kids,” said Labrum.
Harding anchors the offensive line at center, and Labrum praised his leadership in mentoring the young players this summer.
Union Cougars at a glance
Coach: Matt Labrum is entering his fourth year as head coach at Union and ninth overall. He previously coached at Parowan from 2007 to 2011. His overall record as head coach is 40-56, and 20-15 at Union. He’s a graduate of Union High.
Offense (6 returning starters; Spread offense)
Offensive coordinator: Matt Labrum
Returning offensive starters
Korbyn Bertoch (OL)
Braden Harding (OL)
Weston Horrocks (RB/WR)
Henrique Moreira (WR)
Everett Miller (WR)
Vil Lutui (WR) – moved to QB
Offensive newcomers to watch
Troy Tauaalo (OL)
Jaren Miller (RB)
Carson Kelly (QB)
Defense (6 returning starters, 4-3 defense)
Defensive coordinator: Justin DeCol (3 years as assistant)
Returning defensive starters
Troy Tauaalo (DL)
Korbyn Bertoch (LB)
Weston Horrocks (SS)
Vil Lutui (SS)
Everett Miller (CB)
Henrique Moreira (FS)
Offensive newcomers to watch
Tyler Swain (LB)
Coaches preseason 3A South straw poll: Third
Deseret News 3A South prediction: Third
Bottom line: All eyes will be on new quarterback Vil Lutui. It’s not his natural position, but he’s a tremendous athlete and that’s a great asset to have at QB. He’ll never replicate the success Union’s quarterback had last year, but he’s an explosive runner and if he and Weston Horrocks thrive in their new roles the offense could be explosive. Union was a semifinalist last year, and if it stays healthy and its lack of depth doesn’t become an issue, a return to at least the semifinals seems realistic.
Last 5
2014 — 9-3 (4-1 in 3A North – 3A Semifinals)
2013 — 4-6 (1-4 in 3A North -- Missed playoffs)
2012 — 5-6 (2-3 in Region 10 – 3A First round)
2011 — 0-10 (0-5 in Region 10 -- Missed playoffs)
2010 — 3-7 (2-2 in Region 10 – 3A First round)
Union coaching history
2012-current — Matt Labrum (18-15)
2008-2011 — Sam Elliott (10-30)
2007 — Doug Bills (9-4)
2004-2006 — Phil Bertoch (15-14)
2001-2003 — Greg Hoagland (11-18)
2000 — Merlin Rasmussen (6-4)
1990-1999 — Don Busenbark (40-55)
1987-1989 — Paul Maggio (10-16)
1983-1986 — Lee Merrett (21-15)
1979-1982 — Jay Omer (13-23)
1978 — Jerry Dyer (4-5)
1976-1977 — Jay Omer (1-16)
1974-1975 — Alan Raddon (3-15)
1971-1973 — Hal Richardson (13-13-3)
1969-1970 — Gale Anderson (10-8)
1967-1968 — Unknown (11-7-2)
1965-1966 — Jack Hannum (16-3-2)
1963-1964 — Scott Edrington (2-14-1)
1962 — Bruce Parry (6-1-1)
1958-1961 — Kenneth Benson (5-25-2)
1956-1957 — Ted Heath (8-8-1)
1954-1955 — Sark Arslanian (11-4)
1951-1953 — Eldon Wright (9-13-2)
Deseret News First Team all-staters the past 10 years
2014 — Nic Smith, RB
2014 — Jordan Gurr, OL
2014 — Paul Kaufusi, DL
2014 — Weston Horrocks, DB
2014 — Tye Winterton, K
2013 — Nic Smith, WR
2007 — Rhen Richard, QB
2007 — David Gilbert, WR
2007 — Casey Glines, WR
2005 — Chris Carter, OL
To view second team and honorable mention all-staters through the years, check out the Deseret News All-State Archives.
Deseret News prep editor and Real Salt Lake beat writer.