Our hope every year is to be playing on the last day of the season, that’s our goal. – Coach Monty Lee said.
Note: San Juan finished with a 10-1 overall record in 2014 and was first in 2A South with a 6-0 record. It lost to Summit Academy 24-0 in the 2A semifinals.
BLANDING — For some strange reason last season, San Juan’s offense vanished in the playoffs.
After averaging 45.6 points through the regular season, San Juan averaged a whopping three points in two playoff games. It scored just six points in a bizarre 6-5 quarterfinal win over Millard and was then shut out in the semifinals by Summit Academy.
It was a frustrating end to a season that had championship aspirations, but it hasn’t put a damper on 2015 preparations whatsoever.
“Our hope every year is to be playing on the last day of the season, that’s our goal,” said coach Monty Lee.
Despite double-digit wins in four of the past five seasons, San Juan has reached the championship game just twice in the past five seasons — ultimately winning in 2010.
This year’s team has that potential, but after graduating the majority of last year’s starters the Broncos might be a work in progress early on.
“We’ve got the caliber of kids, we just have to work out the bugs. That’s why we have such good coaches, they know what they’re doing,” said Lee.
One of the objectives this season is to increase the productivity of quarterback Payton Palmer. He had a strong season last year completing 56 percent of his passes for 1,987 yards, 22 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. The 14 picks were a bit high, something he’ll try to improve on this year.
Most of Palmer’s top receiving threats graduated after last season, but Jordan Blake and Max Slavens are expected to slide into the offense and be immediate threats.
While maintaining Palmer’s passing efficiency is critical, the coaching staff is adamant about the importance of getting him more involved in the running game
“The big thing we’re going to work on is his leadership and his field presence. He has a good feel where to throw the ball, but we’d like to have him run a little more. Spread out of the pocket, scramble. Make it so teams can’t sit back and play a traditional defense,” said Lee. “If he has a little better field presence he’ll know when to run and know when to throw.”
If Palmer can prove himself to be a bit more dynamic, and improve on his 95 yards rushing from a year ago, it should open up the offense and prevent another late-season disappearing act.
He’ll have a young offensive line in front of him though as John Brewer is the lone starter returning.
“It takes them a little while to get from that JV mentality to that varsity mentality,” said Lee.
Once they get it sorted out, Bronz Eldredge could have a big year at running back. Playing with an injured shoulder all last season, the junior rushed for 274 yards and three touchdowns to go along with his 407 receiving yards and seven scores.
If he can stay healthy, the potential is there for an MVP-caliber season.
“Every injury he’s ever had is because he’s over aggressive. If we can keep him healthy, we can do alright,” said Eldredge. “He’s a great leader, he’s a captain, he has great work ethic, he’s respected.”
Eldredge will also anchor San Juan’s defense at linebacker after leading the team in tackles last year. With five total returning starters on the defensive side of the ball, that could be the strength of this steam all season.
The core of that defense is at linebacker with Eldredge, Palmer and Kavika Su’e Su’e. Between the three of them they combined for 219 tackles last season.
Brewer is a returning starter on the defensive line, while Blake is the lone returner back from last year’s secondary.
As the rest of San Juan’s starters become acclimated to their new roles, Lee is confident they’ll reach their potential.
“We don’t ever have a lot of next level players, it’s all a team. Every kid knows his job, every kid does his job, every kid beside him and behind him knows that they’re covered and they’re taken care of, and that’s what our program is built on,” said Lee.
San Juan Broncos at a glance
Coach: Monty Lee is entering his 13th season as San Juan’s head coach. He’s amassed a 112-25 record along the way, including state titles in 2006, 2009 and 2010. He’s a graduate of San Juan High School.
Offense (3 returning starters; Rollout option offense)
Offensive coordinator: Monty Lee
Returning offensive starters
John Brewer (OL)
Payton Palmer (QB)
Bronz Eldredge (RB)
Offensive newcomers to watch
Jordan Blake (WR)
Max Slavens (WR)
Defense (5 returning starters, 4-4 defense)
Defensive coordinator: Ryan Nielson
Returning defensive starters
John Brewer (DL)
Bronze Eldredge (LB)
Payton Palmer (LB)
Kavika Su’e Su’e (LB)
Jordan Blake (DB)
Defensive newcomers to watch
Riley Myrick (DL)
Coaches preseason 2A South straw poll: First
Deseret News 2A South prediction: Second
Bottom line: Over the past 10 years, San Juan has reached double-digit victories every year but 2007 and 2013. Double-digit wins are certainly the expectation again this year with a returning starter at QB and a strong linebacking core. Offensive balance — particularly in the playoffs — is what will ultimately make or break this team when it matters most.
Last 5
2014 — 10-1 (6-0 in 2A South, Semifinals)
2013 — 6-5 (3-3 in 2A South, Quarterfinals)
2012 — 11-1 (7-0 in 2A South, Runner-up)
2011 — 10-1 (7-0 in 2A South, Semifinals)
2010 — 12-0 (5-0 in Region 1, Champions)
San Juan coaching history
2003-current — Monty Lee (112-25)
1987-2002 — Art Burtenshaw (133-49)
1983-1986 — Morris Swenson (23-15)
1974-1982 — George Bayles (46-47)
1972-1973 — Murray Kula (5-11)
1969-1971 — Mike Blair (12-19)
1968 — Dennis Udy (6-4)
1957-1967 — Morris Swenson (54-43)
1956 — Neldon Cochran (2-2)
Deseret News MVPs the past 10 years
2010 — Stetler Shumway, RB/LB
2009 — Jace Holliday, RB/DE
2006 — Tranner Sharpe, OL/DL
Deseret News First Team all-staters the past 10 years
2014 — Payton Palmer, QB/LB
2014 — Trason Jack, FB/LB
2014 — Bronz Eldredge, FB/LB
2014 — Easton Lee, OL/DL
2013 — Jens Grover, RB/LB
2012 — Barkley Christensen, QB/DB
2012 — Logan Meyer, RB/LB
2012 — Bobby Bowring, WR/DB
2012 — Bogh Bayles, OL/DE
2011 — Barkley Christensen, QB/DB
2011 — Logan Meyer, RB/LB
2011 — Bogh Bayles, OL/DL
2011 — Landon Palmer, OL/DL
2010 — Colby Redd RB
2010 — Taj Eldredge OL/LB
2010 — Cameron Shumway QB
2010 — AJ Slavens OL/DL
2010 — Tyler Nielson WR/DB
2009 — Peyton Black, FB/LB
2009 — Stetler Shumway, RB, DL
2009 — AJ Slavens, OL/DL
2009 — Jimmy Tate, WR/LB
2009 — Benny Royer, DB
2008 — Kohler Black, RB/LB
2008 — Nathan Einerson, WR/DB
2008 — Jace Holliday, RB/DL
2008 — Terron Jack, WR/DB
2007 — Matt Jeppson, LB/OL
2007 — Scott Jeppson, DL/OL
2007 — Scott Jeppson, DL/OL
2007 — Dane Lyman, QB/DL
2006 — Marley Haws, RB/DE
2006 — Scott Jeppson, OL/DL
2006 — Brian Kirk, RB/LB
2006 — Bradley Royer, WR/DB
2005 — Jens Wilson, RB/DB
2005 — Rye Adams, OL/DL
2005 — Keith Sullenberger, RB/LB
2005 — Noah Imel, OL/LB
To view second team and honorable mention all-staters through the years, check out the Deseret News All-State Archives.