Note: Woods Cross finished with an 11-2 overall record in 2014 and first in Region 6 with a 6-0 record. It lost to Timpview 41-13 in the 4A semifinals.


Woods Cross 2014 Stat Recap

WOODS CROSS — After posting virtually identical back-to-back campaigns in 2013 and 2014 in which it went 11-2, advanced to the 4A semifinals and claimed one region title (2014), Woods Cross has experienced a plethora of changes heading into the new season.

The Wildcats graduated around 30 players, including roughly 20 starters, from last year's team, including some key skill players, in addition to moving to an ultra-competitive region full of powerhouses.

With the new UHSAA region alignments kicking in this year, Box Elder and Bonneville have officially joined Woods Cross, Bountiful, Highland and East to make Region 6, now Region 5, even more daunting.

“It’s really tough. You have a perennial playoff team that joins the region and you have an up-and-coming team that’s solid and has great tradition. There are going to be two good football teams left out of the playoffs and it’s going to be a dogfight. The scary thing is that we don’t know them all that well and you just can’t slip in this region. It’s going to be a competitive region top to bottom,” Woods Cross head coach Justin Spencer said.

One of those key skill players Woods Cross will miss and need to replace is last year's star quarterback Tanner Hammond.

Last season, Hammond completed 120 of his 223 pass attempts (54 percent completion rate) for 1,710 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also added three more touchdowns rushing.

Spencer knows replacing such a tremendous leader and athlete as Hammond is virtually impossible. However, he has really liked what he's seen this summer from junior dual-threat quarterback Ian Selin and expects big things from him this season.

“Our quarterback position is very different this year. We have a young kid, Ian Selin, who has played varsity, understands the speed of the game and is an ultra competitor. He’s a great football player and is a dual-threat kid. He’s not the gunslinger that Tanner was so we lose a little bit of that element, but we gain an element of mobility. He has huge shoes to fill, but he brings a lot to the table and we’re really excited,” said Spencer.

The Wildcats' leading rusher from last year, Braxton Gunther, is set to return to the starting lineup again this year and will help anchor the backfield.

Last season, Gunther had 126 touches for 779 yards (6.2 yards per carry) and five touchdowns. He led the team in both carries and yards and was second in rushing touchdowns.

Despite losing its rushing touchdown leader from last season in Tomasi Giles (13 TDs), Gunther is expected to build off his success last year and make a significant impact.

Although the Wildcats return just five starters on offense, Selin and Gunther are poised to make big splashes this season while star wide receiver Jordan Orozco leads the pack of an extremely talented and explosive corps of receivers.

“Offensively, we’re just trying to build off what we’ve already been doing. We just want to improve and tweak and get some new wrinkles here and there. We are making progress. We’re really young. We graduated 30 kids and 20-something starters, so we’re definitely young. But we have a great group of young kids that are hungry and want to compete and do what’s right,” Spencer said.

Meanwhile, on the defensive end, Woods Cross returns a total of four starters from last season and has done its best to revamp with new defensive coordinator Selu Alofipo.

Gunther (safety), Brandon Wagstaff (linebacker) and Selin (cornerback) are all set to return and will be expected to anchor the defense while several younger newcomers will desperately need to step up and fill the holes left behind.

While virtually running the same style of defense in a 4-2-5 and just making some minor adjustments with Alofipo, Spencer has been impressed with the effort and performance his new-look defense.

“We are changing our defensive coordinator, so we’ve spent a lot of time working with new defensive terminology. The biggest change in the program is that we have new terminology — the scheme is basically the same — and a totally new coaching staff. Last year we were big, strong and had a lot of veterans. This year we’re much different, but we’re extremely fast. I’ve been very pleased with the aggression they play with and the speed they play at — they look great,” said Spencer.

Woods Cross Wildcats at a glance

Head Coach: Justin Spencer is entering his fourth season as Woods Cross’ head coach. He’s amassed a 31-7 record and led Woods Cross to back-to-back 4A semifinal appearances. He’s a graduate of West High School and the University of Utah.

Offense (5 returning starters; Spread offense)

Offensive coordinator: Justin Spencer (4th year)

Returning offensive starters

Braxton Gunther (RB)

Jordan Orozco (WR)

Walker Holgreen (C)

Taylor Clark (OL)

Keith Saylin (WR)

Offensive newcomers to watch

Ian Selin (QB)

Defense (4 returning starters, 4-2-5 defense)

Defensive coordinator: Selu Alofipo (1st year as assistant)

Returning defensive starters

Braxton Gunther (S)

Brandon Wagstaff (LB)

Ian Selin (CB)

Keith Saylin (S)

Coaches’ preseason 3A South straw poll: Fourth

Deseret News 3A South prediction: Fourth

Bottom line: Following back-to-back 11-2 seasons in which it advanced to the 4A semifinals, Woods Cross has officially reloaded and is aiming high. After losing 30 players, including roughly 20 starters, the Wildcats return just nine starters and will rely on their newcomers to step up and take the reins. Woods Cross does return some solid skill players at running back, quarterback, wide receiver and on defense, and will need those veterans to lead this young team. With the new UHSAA region alignments, the margin for error has diminished and adds pressure on the Wildcats to make the playoffs. While Woods Cross has talent, its youth and lack of experience could prove to be its Achilles’ heel.

Last 5

2014 — 11-2 (6-0 in Region 6 – 4A Semifinals)

2013 — 11-2 (5-1 in Region 6 – 4A Semifinals)

2012 — 9-3 (4-1 in Region 6 – 4A Quarterfinals)

2011 — 4-6 (2-3 in Region 6 – 4A First round)

2010 — 5-4 (3-3 in Region 6 – Missed playoffs)

Woods Cross coaching history

2012-current — Justin Spencer (31-7)

2011 — Nick Longshore (4-6)

2007-2010 — Fred Fernandes (18-20)

2005-2006 — Russ Jones (5-14)

2000-2004 — Alema Te'o (7-42)

1986-1999 — John Hanning (61-81)

1981-1985 — Larry Eldracher (18-29)

1977-1980 — Joseph Hawkins (13-22)

Deseret News First Team all-staters the past 10 years

2014 — Tomasi Giles, DL

2014 — Mason Newton, LB

2014 — Braxton Gunther, DB

2013 — Nick Peterson, OL

2013 — Deion Saumalu, LB

2013 — Xequille Harry, DB

2012 — Felipo Mokofisi, DL

2012 — Sean Barton, DB

2011 — Sean Barton, DB

To view second team and honorable mention all-staters through the years, check out the Deseret News All-State Archives.

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Selu Alofipo

Ryan Love is a full-time student and has been a part-time sportswriter for the Deseret News since Oct. 2012.

Follow him on Twitter @RLove7724

EMAIL: rlove@deseretnews.com

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