Note: Cottonwood finished with a 2-8 overall record in 2015 and was sixth in Region 3 with a 1-5 record. It did not qualify for the playoffs.
Cottonwood 2015 offensive and defensive stats
MURRAY — When Taniela Pututau went down with a season-ending ACL tear on the last play of team camp this summer, it was a devastating blow for a Cottonwood team already dealing with low participation numbers.
It hasn’t, however, taken the fight out of the Colts.
“We’re just trying to make Cottonwood great again,” said second-year coach Mike Tidwell, who’s excited by the uptick in participation this year.
Tidwell said 54 players participated at team camp at SUU in June, which is a big increase from last year.
What Cottonwood lacks in numbers though, it makes up for in talent. If it can avoid any other major injuries, there’s no reason it shouldn’t improve upon last year’s 2-8 record.
A lot of talent will be young, though, with just six seniors on the team and a moderately sized junior class.
Tidwell said the lack of upperclassmen creates opportunities for younger players to have an immediate impact at the varsity level.
“So if a young kid can embrace that opportunity, a ninth-grader’s not going to start at (most schools), a 10th-grader’s not going to start at (most schools),” said Tidwell. “To me, playing team equals opportunities at the next level if you take advantage of that playing time and you work hard and do what’s right.”
One of his mantras is “don’t cheat the game,” and that extends from the field to the home. It means finishing drills to the line and at home being respectful and doing chores when asked by parents.
Tidwell believes the behaviors are correlated and ultimately lead to success.
On the field, everything starts with the defense, which was always Tidwell’s strength as an assistant coach prior to taking over at Cottonwood.
Even last year he said the Colts competed well on defense, holding their own against teams like Bingham and Brighton for long stretches. The offense was always outmanned, though, but Tidwell can’t fault the effort of those players.
The focal point of the defense is junior defensive end Tennessee Pututau, the third-ranked junior in Utah, according to Rivals.com.
Pututau starts at defensive end in the 4-2-5 defense, but Tidwell said he’s athletic enough to drop back and play outside linebacker when Cottonwood wants to align in a three-man front.
The only other returning defensive starters are defensive tackle Tonga Kichiro and linebacker Damien Sio, who was third on the team in tackles.
Samuel Duran should step in and be a big contributor on the defensive line, while Nu’uletau Sellesin and Leki Wolfgramm are both poised for strong years at linebacker. Freshman Junior Heimuli could emerge as a potential starter as the season rolls on. He’s the younger brother of Brighton star Sione Lund.
Graduation depleted all of last year’s secondary, but Frank Maka and Woods Cross transfer Jordan Orozco should both have strong seasons at safety.
Offensively, the Colts only averaged 13.5 ppg last season, but a healthy quarterback should make a huge difference this season.
Gabe Hagerman broke his leg in the third game of the season last year, and the offense suffered as a result. The junior is back healthy this year, and Tidwell said “he delivers the ball really well.”
Not having highly recruited receiver Taniela Pututau to throw to will hurt, but Orozco’s arrival should give Hagerman a strong target to throw to.
Omar Mberwa will be another great weapon at slot receiver and running back.
Cottonwood’s top running backs are a blend of power and speed. Sio is a power back who rushed for 319 yards and three TDs on 76 carries. Sophomore Ammon Sofele — the younger brother of former Colt great Isi Sofele — provides the speed.
The offensive weapons should benefit from a young but experienced offensive line. Seniors Tonga Kichiro and Alex Hart, junior Clayton Kristensen and sophomore Samuel Duran are all returning starters.
Cottonwood Colts at a glance
Coach: Mike Tidwell is entering his second year as Cottonwood head coach after a 2-8 record after his inaugural season. He’s a graduate of Davis High School.
Offense (6 returning starters; spread offense)
Offensive coordinator: Nate Enderle/Gil Tavita
Returning offensive starters
Gabriel Hagerman (QB)
Alex Hart (OL)
Tonga Kichiro (OL)
Clayton Kristensen (OL)
Samuel Duran (OL)
Damien Sio (RB)
Offensive newcomers to watch
Ammon Sofele (RB)
Omar Mberwa (RB/WR)
Jordan Orozco (WR)
Anthony Ronquillo (WR)
Stetson Higham (WR)
Singilau Pututau (OL)
Ethan Manu (OL)
Defense (3 returning starters, 4-2-5 defense)
Defensive coordinator: Mike Tidwell
Returning defensive starters
Tennessee Pututau (DE)
Tonga Kichiro (DT)
Damien Sio (LB)
Defensive newcomers to watch
Samuel Duran (DL)
Nu’uletau Sellesin (LB)
Leki Wolfgramm (LB)
Junior Heimuli (LB)
Jordan Orozco (S)
Frank Maka (S)
Saia Takapu (CB)
Coaches' preseason Region 3 straw poll: Sixth
Deseret News Region 3 prediction: Sixth
Bottom line: The star power is there for the Colts to have a decent season, but they’ve got to stay healthy — something that’s already been a problem with a major injury. Without much depth, Cottonwood must rely on a handful of freshmen and sophomores this season. It’s not ideal, but coach Tidwell said it’s a necessary evil as he tries to build some depth within a program that was pretty bare when he took over last season.
2016 schedule
Aug. 19 — at Olympus, 7 p.m.
Aug. 26 — at Bear River, 7 p.m.
Sept. 2 — KEARNS, 7 p.m.
Sept. 9 — BRIGHTON, 7 p.m.
Sept. 16 — at West Jordan, 7 p.m.
Sept. 23 — COPPER HILLS, 7 p.m.
Sept. 30 — at Bingham, 7 p.m.
Oct. 7 — CLEARFIELD, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 — TAYLORSVILLE, 7 p.m.
Oct. 19 — at Jordan, 7 p.m.
Felt’s Facts for Cottonwood High School
All-time record: 186-279-3 (46 years)
Region championships: 6 (1984, 2005 co, 2007 co, 2008, 2009 co, 2010)
Playoff appearances: 23
Current playoff appearance streak: 0
All-time playoff record: 16-23
State championships: 0
State championship record: 0-2
Most played rivalry: 36 meetings with Skyline dating back to 1972. Skyline leads 30-6. Last met 2010.
Felt’s Factoid(s): Cottonwood set championship game records in the 2004 title game for most passing yards (470) and first downs (28). QB Alex Cate holds the championship game records for passing yards (463), passing touchdowns (5) and passing attempts (53), set the same year.
Last 5
2015 — 2-8 (1-5 in Region 3 — Missed playoffs)
2014 — 5-6 (2-3 in Region 2 — Missed playoffs)
2013 — 5-5 (3-2 in Region 2 — 5A first round)
2012 — 3-8 (2-3 in Region 3 — 5A first round)
2011 — 5-5 (3-2 in Region 3 — 5A first round)
Cottonwood coaching history
2015-current — Mike Tidwell (2-8)
2012-2014 — Greg Croshaw (13-19)
2010-2011 — Josh Lyman (15-6)
2007-2009 — Cecil Thomas (31-7)
2000-2006 — Tom Jones (34-46)
1998-1999 — Steve Coburn (2-17)
1991-1997 — Mike Reardon (12-51)
1979-1990 — Tom Jones (52-68)
1970-1978 — Unknown (24-57)
Deseret News First Team all-staters the past 10 years
2014 — TJ Fehoko, DL
2013 — TJ Fehoko, DL
2012 — Inoke Lotulelei, WR
2008 — Steve Romero, QB
2008 — Isi Sofele, RB
2008 — Alo Moli, WR
2008 — John Martinez, OL
2008 — Percy Taumoelau, OL
2007 — Isi Sofele, RB
2007 — John Martinez, OL
2007 — Lynn Katoa, LB
2006 — Braydon Anderson, OL
To view second team and honorable mention all-staters through the years, check out the Deseret News All-State Archives.
James Edward is the Deseret News prep editor and Real Salt Lake beat writer. EMAIL: jedward@deseretnews.com