Note: Judge Memorial finished with an 12-1 overall record in 2014 and was 5-0 in 3A North. It beat Juab 63-14 in the 3A championship.


Judge 2014 Stat Recap

SALT LAKE CITY — Naysayers have been quick to discount Judge’s football state championships the past two years, saying both came in the smaller 3A classification when everyone knows Judge should’ve been competing in the bigger 3AA.

The last part is debatable, but what isn’t are the results on the field.

In last year’s season opener Judge beat Pine View 18-16, a season low for the eventual 3AA South co-region champions and a state semifinalist.

The game was tight, and could’ve gone either way late, but in that one game Judge proved it could compete with and beat teams in 3AA just fine. This season, it will have a chance to do so on a weekly basis thanks to the latest round of UHSAA realignment.

Instead of beating up on smaller 3A schools like Carbon, Emery and Grantsville, the Bulldogs will be competing against stronger 3AA competition like Bear River, Stansbury and Logan each week in region play. And then when the playoffs role around, the juggernauts from down South will be waiting.

Judge isn’t scared about playing the stronger competition, because over the past two years it knows it was just as good as those other 3AA teams.

Last year’s success — which hinged on the unrelenting drive from six senior, three-year starters — doesn’t guarantee success this season as Judge retools at a lot of positions.

The coaching staff will find out right away where the Bulldogs stand as they face Pine View in the season opener for the third consecutive year. Pine View rallied for the win in 2013 and Judge held on for the defensive victory last year.

“It’s fun to play cause they’re good kids, they’re well coached. It’s a good measuring stick to see where you’re at. It’s a great way to start your season to see who you are and what you’re all about,” said Judge coach James Cordova.

With so much uncertainty, Judge will be counting heavily on the experience of two three-year starters on the offensive line, Jacob Cline and Maisen Knight. Both were very integral parts of Judge’s title runs the past two years.

“Our guards are like professional teams’ center, they walk up and start yelling stuff and pointing and figuring out blocking schemes. Having two guys back that size and that experienced is great. Both of them are three-year starters, and great leaders,” said Cordova.

Cline and Knight will both be part of a rotation on the defensive line as well, a group that will have a different look in 2015.

Just last month Judge’s defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Luther Elliss took a job with the Denver Broncos as team chaplain. He’ll also help coach the defensive line.

“He’s really one of the most inspiring people you can have talking about moral values and competing the right way,” said Cordova. “To have someone that is a certified preacher that is a former player for your organization, that was also an All-Pro, I don’t think (the Broncos) can lose in that situation.”

Elliss’ departure hurts on the field as well as two of his sons were expected to start on both sides of the ball.

“We’ll miss them on the field, but we’ll march forward,” said Cordova.

Christian Elliss would’ve been the frontrunner to start at quarterback, but now that battle is between seniors Kelsin Pupunu and Sam Garcia.

The Bulldogs graduated nearly 2,500 rushing yards from last year, but the players expected to pick up that slack all got some experience last year. Wing backs Pupunu and Sport Falemaka along with fullback Keola Palau all rushed for over 100 yards in spot duty last year.

“My expectations are that if we gel we can be pretty effective on offense. There’s a lot of new pieces in that puzzle we’re trying figure out and make work together,” said Cordova.

One area that there’s no uncertainty is at receiver. Xavier Price is a returning starter who recently committed to Air Force. He was a big play receiver coming off a year in which he had nine catches for 340 yards and seven touchdowns.

With a 28-point average margin of victory last year against fellow 3A teams, there wasn’t a lot of need for Judge to throw the ball, even though Cordova said they were pretty good at it.

“We put a fair amount of time into our passing game. Last year it was hard, cause we got up. The reason why we were able to keep in the game with Woods Cross and Pine View was our passing game though,” he said.

Judge figures to pass much more this season for a couple reasons. First, opposing defenses in 3AA for the most part will be better, and secondly, Cordova said it’s silly to be too one-dimensional even in an option offense. He believes in the modern passing game with a lot of quick throws, option teams can be successful throwing the ball.

That’s where Price’s contributions figure to go up significantly this year.

Defensively, Judge doesn’t return many full-time starters but a lot of players received plenty of varsity playing time with so many blowouts.

Tofa Fanga’a, Jacob Cline and Quincy Houston are back to anchor the defensive line, while Keola Palau returns at linebacker. In the secondary, Nick Cline and Pupunu are both returning starters.

Jake Jenkins takes over at defensive coordinator for Luther Ellis, but Cordova said it’s been a seamless transition as Jenkins was on staff last season.

The key will be getting all that defensive talent on the same page.

“We want them to play instead of think, and this defense right now is still thinking. If they can get to the point where we’re playing we’ll be alright,” said Cordova.

Against bigger and better teams this season, the margin for error on both sides of the ball is much less for the Judge Bulldogs, but the are excited for the challenge.

Judge Bulldogs at a glance

Coach: James Cordova is entering his 13th season as head coach at his alma mater. He’s put together an 82-59 record during that stretch, including back-to-back state championships in 2013 and 2014.

Offense (5 returning starters; Flex bone option offense)

Offensive coordinator: James Cordova

Returning offensive starters

Kelsin Pupunu (RB)

Sport Falemaka (RB)

Xavier Price (WR)

Jacob Cline (OL)

Maisen Knight (OL)

Offensive newcomers to watch

Keola Palau (FB)

Tofa Fainga’a (FB)

Quincy Houston (OL)

Defense (3 returning starters, 4-3 defense)

Defensive coordinator: Jake Jenkins (2 years as assistant at school)

Returning defensive starters

Tofa Fainga’a (DE)

Nick Cline (SS)

Kelsin Pupunu (DB)

Defensive newcomers to watch

Bapa Falemaka (DE)

Keola Palau (LB)

Sport Falemaka (LB)

Quincy Houston (DT)

Jacob Cline (DT)

Maisen Knight (DT)

Coaches preseason 3AA North straw poll: Fourth

Deseret News 3AA North prediction: Fifth

Bottom line: The landscape in 3AA will be different this year, no question, but so is the culture of Judge football. Prior to winning back-to-back 3A state championships Judge was a good program, but never one that expected to compete for titles. That changed the past two seasons, and that mentality has carried over to this season. The departure of the Elliss family is a big loss, both in the coaching staff and on the field. Cordova believes his team will be competitive nonetheless. Perhaps the biggest test will be in close games. Judge rarely dealt with those the past two seasons, but in 2015 that could be the norm.

Last 5

2014 — 12-1 (5-0 in 3A North – 3A Champions)

2013 — 11-2 (5-0 in 3A North – 3A Champions)

2012 — 5-6 (3-2 in Region 10 – 3A First round)

2011 — 7-4 (4-1 in Region 10 – 3A First round)

2010 — 7-6 (2-3 in Region 11 – 3A Semifinals)

Judge Memorial coaching history

2004-current — James Cordova (75-51)

2003 — Dave Livingston (3-8)

1997-2002 — Tim Clark (14-42)

1985-1996 — John Colosimo (50-81)

1978-1984 — Frank L'Etoile (60-19)

1966-1977 — Gil Cordova (93-39-1)

1955-1965 — Frank Klekas (72-23-1)

1952-1954 — George Melinkovich (15-8)

1949-1951 — Tom Mares (12-7-1)

1946-1948 — Bill Moran (11-8-1)

1943-1945 — unknown (10-9)

1942 — Paul Patten (2-5)

1941 — Wally Morse (0-4)

1938-1940 — unknown (0-11)

1936-1937 — Ken Larson (5-5-1)

1932-1935 — unknown (2-4)

1931 — Mr. Decker (0-5)

1929-1930 — Ben Lingenfelter (1-9-1)

1928 — Ralph Bodine (3-4-1)

1924-1927 — unknown (7-9-2)

Deseret News MVPs the past 10 years

2014 — Max Barnett, RB

2013 — Kaden Elliss, QB

Deseret News First Team all-staters the past 10 years

2014 — Ricke Maka, OL

2014 — Jacob Cline, OL

2014 — Braden Pelly, DL

2014 — Nathan Higley, LB

2013 — Ethan Driffill, OL

2013 — Chase Radcliffe, DL

2013 — Max Barnett, LB

2013 — Sean McMinimee, DB

2013 — Andrew Matthews, K

2010 — Ben Cook, DL

2010 — Daniel Shiramizu, SP

2008 — A.J. Carman, DL

2008 — Keenyn Walker, SP

2007 — Tyson Moll, LB

2007 — Keenyn Walker, DB

2007 — Lewis Walker, SP

2006 — Jaxon Myaer, QB

View Comments

2006 — Cort Dennison, TE

2006 — Robbie Webber, DB

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.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.