Note: Kanab finished with a 6-6 overall record in 2014 and was second in 1A South with a 2-2 record. It lost to Diamond Ranch 29-28 in 1A semifinals.
KANAB — At this time last year, Kanab head coach Bucky Orton predicted his team would begin the 2014 campaign slowly and then finish strong.
The Cowboys proceeded to start 0-2 but then dethroned four-time defending state champion Duchesne in the 1A quarterfinals before a dramatic one-point loss to Diamond Ranch in the semifinals.
With momentum in their favor after last season’s ending, plus a big core of players returning on both sides of the ball, Orton feels his team can start 2015 strong and carry that through the entire year.
“This year we have a little bit different expectation,” he said. “Our expectation is still to build every day and work hard every day, but we want to be able to pick up where we left off last year. We’re definitely further along as a team than we were last year. It’s night and day.”
If success does go Kanab’s way, it’ll look a little bit different than it has in recent years, at least on the offensive side of the ball. While Orton still wants to see balance, he’s also hoping that a bevy of returning starters on the offensive line will allow his team to have a strong running game.
In particular, Morgan Barton will be the anchor at right guard, Derrik Fox will be at left tackle and Kade Jackson will be at right tackle. Alan Raddatz also figures to play a prominent role in the trenches.
Those four will help a backfield duo of Brandon Southwick and Alex Foster go from players who saw some carries a season ago to being the focal point of the offense.
“We want to be able to control the line of scrimmage better than we have in years past,” Orton said. “That’s going to be our focus going into the year, trying to develop a strong running game.”
Although the run will be the Cowboys’ preference, they will have an experienced quarterback taking the snaps in Layne Anderson, who will look to build upon a solid first season as Kanab’s starter.
Orton will look to Southwick, tight end Monte Glover and receiver Kason Whitesides to catch Anderson’s passes.
“Layne’s going to be fine,” Orton said. “He’s a great leader and he’s got a good arm. He’s got a good poise about him and is very coachable. He’s going to be fine as the year goes on. By the time the playoffs roll around, I think he’ll be pretty efficient throwing the ball and running our offense.”
On the other side of the ball, Orton is hoping that increased participation numbers will allow him to platoon the trenches, and he’ll be looking to Jaxson Giddings, Danion Barnson, Karson Daley and Parker Collins to step up there.
Platooning is somewhat uncharted territory for Orton, however, and he’s open to using players on both sides of the ball if increased depth doesn’t lead to better quality.
“We’re going to play it by ear,” he said. “If it’s something we feel like we’re a better team with guys playing just one side of the ball, we’re going to do that. If we feel like we’re being exposed and we need the best guys out on the field, we’ll do that. We’ll at least have the luxury of trying it this season. I’m excited about that.”
At linebacker, Foster will be looking to make a comeback. The senior had a strong sophomore year but tore his ACL partway through the 2014 campaign. He’s healthy now, however, and is primed for a big season. Fox and Kyle Tullis will round out that unit.
In the secondary, Anderson, Glover and Southwick will look to hold things down.
“We’re going to focus on getting better, we’re going to focus on us more than our opponents,” Orton said. “Really, what I’d like to see us become is a real physical team on both sides of the ball, a team that just absolutely plays the game with great physicality. If we can do that I like our chances.”
Kanab Cowboys at a glance
Head coach: Bucky Orton is entering his 13th season as Kanab’s head coach. He has amassed a 90-50 record in 12 seasons at the helm. He is a graduate of Kanab High School.
Offense: (8 returning starters, spread offense)
Offensive coordinator: Mason Fox (three years as assistant)
Returning offensive starters
Morgan Barton (OL)
Alan Raddatz (OL)
Kade Jackson (OL)
Derrik Fox (OL)
Layne Anderson (QB)
Alex Foster (RB)
Monte Glover (TE)
Brandon Southwick (RB/WR)
Offensive newcomers to watch
Kyle Tullis (RB)
Treg Reidhead (RB)
Jaxson Giddings (OL)
Tanner McCowan (OL)
Sladen Ott (WR)
Defense (7 returning starters, 3-3 defense)
Defensive coordinator: Klint Glover (seven years as assistant)
Returning defensive starters
Jackson Giddings (DL)
Danion Barnson (DL)
Derrik Fox (LB)
Alex Foster (LB)
Monte Glover (DB)
Layne Anderson (DB)
Brandon Southwick (DB)
Defensive newcomers to watch
Morgan Barton (DL)
Karson Daley (DL)
Parker Collins (DL)
Wyatt Houston (LB)
Kyle Tullis (LB)
Kason Whitesides (LB)
Tavin Ott (DB)
Ernesto Escobar (DB)
Coaches preseason Region 1A South straw poll: First
Deseret News Region 1A South prediction: First
Bottom line: The Cowboys have the makings of a title-caliber team: a proven coach, a great deal of experience and a strong offensive line. There are some questions, however, particularly on offense. Can running backs Brandon Southwick and Alex Foster handle an increased workload? Can Layne Anderson be effective at quarterback? If Kanab can answer “yes” to both of those questions, it can make a run at the championship.
Last 5
2014 — 6-6 (2-2 in 1A South – 1A Semifinals)
2013 — 6-6 (3-1 in 1A South – 1A Semifinals)
2012 — 5-5 (3-4 in 2A South – Missed playoffs)
2011 — 5-5 (3-4 in 2A South – Missed playoffs)
2010 — 4-7 (2-3 in 2A West – 2A Quarterfinals)
Kanab coaching history
2003-current — Bucky Orton (90-50)
2002 — Dwaine Hatch (9-2)
1994-2001 — Rod Quarnberg (43-38)
1965-1993 — Arlyn Hafen (210-91)
1962-1964 — Steve Lunt (15-8-2)
1959-1961 — Louis Chatterly (10-11)
1957-1958 — Boyd Adams (4-10-1)
1950-1956 — unknown (10-19-3)
1949 — David Gates (4-2)
Deseret News MVPs the past 10 years
2007 — Logan Mazzettia, RB/LB
2005 — Tyler Ramsay, RB/LB
Deseret News First Team all-staters the past 10 years
2014 — Aaron Foster, RB/LB
2014 — Davin Houston, WR/DB
2014 — Cody Glover, TE/LB
2014 — Derrik Fox, OL/LB
2013 — Merrill Terry, QB/CB
2013 — Luke Crosby, RB/LB
2013 — Hadin Jones, WR/S
2013 — Nate Bowman, OL/DL
2012 — Brandon Jenson, QB/DB
2011 — Dylan Hill, OL/DL
2010 — Cody Barber, RB/LB
2009 — Rhees Jackson, WR/DE
2009 — Stetson Crandall, OL/LB
2008 — Craig Brinkerhoff, QB/DB
2008 — Bryce Hafen, RB/LB
2008 — Justin Orton, WR/DB
2007 — Ty Bunting, TE/DL
2007 — Thomas Quist, RB/DB
2007 — Levi Vincent, RB/LB
2007 — Rick Visser, OL/DL
2006 — Mitch Glazier, QB/DB
2006 — Shaun Johnson, RB/LB
2006 — TJ Reidhead, LB
2006 — Julius Visser, OL/DL
2005 — Tannner Chamberlain, WR/DE
2005 — Mitchell Glazier, QB/SS
2005 — Caleb Vincent, 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.