Note: Beaver finished with a 7-4 overall record in 2014 and tied for second in the 2A South region with a 4-2 record. It lost to Summit Academy 22-19 in the 2A quarterfinals.
BEAVER — With four straight winning seasons and four straight appearances in at least the quarterfinals, there’s no question Beaver has become one of the better teams in 2A. It’s yet to reach the top tier of 2A football though.
That requires a breakthrough victory.
“We’ve got to take that next step. I think our program has been just under the premier programs. We can’t quite get to them. We’ve got to break through them,” said Beaver coach Steve Hutchings.
Last season the Beavers went a respectable 7-4 despite starting almost all juniors — but all four losses were to the eventual 2A semifinal teams.
That breakthrough victory was elusive last year, but with almost every starter back in 2015 this could finally be the year Beaver makes a deep run in playoffs.
“We’re expecting to compete for a state championship. We really feel that we have a great team, but again we’ve got to take that one step that’s going to be tough,” said Hutchings.
The Beavers were close on several occasions last season for that breakthrough season, but young mistakes proved costly.
After getting blown out in Week 4 by eventual 2A champion South Summit — which crushed everyone last year — Beaver had San Juan on the ropes in Week 6 leading 17-0 early in the game. It eventually lost 41-26.
In the 2A quarterfinals, Beaver led Summit Academy in the fourth quarter but couldn’t hold on.
Hutchings reflects on last season positively knowing many of those critical mistakes were perhaps inevitable with so many underclassmen on the field. A year later, eight starters are back offensively and 10 defensively.
That experience has allowed Beaver’s coaching staff to expand the playbook this season and add wrinkles that are only possible with experience.
Offensively, Beaver’s top returning weapon is Dillan Smith who rushed for 15 touchdowns and over 800 yards. A more productive season seems inevitable a year later, but Hutchings doesn’t necessarily think so.
“I don’t think he’ll carry the load as much this year. For us to be successful I think he’ll have to have (fewer) numbers. We’ve got to get it to other people to be successful,” said Hutchings.
In the Wing-T offense, he would like to see running backs Brennon Hutchings, Tyce Raddon and Colton Leos get way more involved in the offense, along with quarterback Matt Roberts taking on a larger role too. Roberts rushed for over 500 yards and seven TDs last year, but with the talent around him this year he could rush for double-digit scores.
Through the air, Roberts is a great weapon coming back. He passed for over 1,200 yards last season and 19 touchdowns, but that’s just skimming the surface of what 2015 may have in store.
“Any coach at any level will tell you if you have an experienced quarterback you’re ahead of the game. He did really well for us last year, and I anticipate him doing even better this year,” said Hutchings. “He’s just real competitive. He wants each play to work, which is kind of his downfall too. He won’t throw it away. We’re working on that, though.”
Beaver’s only real question mark on offense is on the line with just two returning starters, Rustin Limb and Kord Snyder.
Defensively, Brantson Blackburn and Smith are outstanding defensive ends who could make life very difficult for teams who try and run outside. Kadan Beacham, Snyder and Limb will then combine to try and clog up the middle.
The lone position on defense Beaver needs to fill is at outside linebacker, with Walter Labaron and Leos looking to fill that void. The other three spots are all strengths with Raddon, Keaton Fails and McCoy Bergstrom.
In Beaver’s four losses last year the defense allowed 38.3 ppg. Getting tougher and getting more stops against the upper-echelon teams in 2A is what will ultimately make a break the Beavers in 2015.
Beaver Beavers at a glance
Coach: Steve Hutchings is entering his 11th year as head coach at his alma mater. He owns a 54-51 career record.
Offense (8 returning starters; Wing-T offense)
Offensive coordinator: Steve Hutchings
Returning offensive starters
Matt Roberts (QB)
Dillan Smith (RB)
Brennon Hutchings (WB)
Rustin Limb (OL)
Kord Snyder (OL)
Brantson Blackburn (TE)
Tavin Fails (WR)
Trey Young (RB) – moving to WR
Offensive newcomers to watch
Tyce Raddon (RB)
Colton Leos (RB)
Defense (10 returning starters, 4-2 defense)
Defensive coordinator: Randy Hunter
Returning defensive starters
Dillan Smith (DE)
Brantson Blackburn (DE)
Kadan Beacham (DT)
Kord Snyder (DT)
Tyce Raddon (OLB)
Keaton Fails (MLB)
McCoy Bergstrom (MLB)
Brennon Hutchings (CB)
Tavin Fails (CB)
Matt Roberts (FS)
Defensive newcomers to watch
Colton Leos (OLB)
Walter Labaron (OLB)
Rustin Limb (DT)
Coaches preseason 2A South straw poll: Second
Deseret News 2A South prediction: First
Bottom line: The buzz around 2A is that Beaver might be the team to beat. For a team with one semifinal appearance in the past decade, it’s certainly an interesting scenario to consider. But with Beaver returning almost every starter from last year, it’s certainly a possibility. Whether or not it actually happens will require Beaver to secure one of those breakthrough victories against a top team in 2A, and those have been very elusive through the years.
Last 5
2014 — 7-4 (4-2 in 2A South – 2A Quarterfinals)
2013 — 9-2 (6-0 in 2A South – 2A Semifinals)
2012 — 8-3 (5-2 in 2A South – 2A Quarterfinals)
2011 — 6-4 (5-2 in 2A South – 2A Quarterfinals)
2010 — 1-9 (1-7 in 2A West – 2A Missed playoffs)
Beaver coaching history
2005-current — Steve Hutchings (54-51)
1999-2004 — Brandon Draper (41-25)
1989-1998 — Alan Raddon (64-40)
1963-1988 — Al Marshall (218-70)
1955-1962 — Pat Lindsay (26-24)
1954 — Unknown (2-5)
1950-1953 — Lamont Thornock (11-14)
1949 — Unknown (4-3)
Deseret News First Team all-staters the past 10 years
2014 — Matt Roberts, QB/LB
2014 — Brantson Blackburn, TE/DE
2013 — Kasen Hutchings, QB/LB
2013 — Jesse McMullin, RB/LB
2013 — Michael Roberts, WR/DB
2013 — Bailey Bradshaw, OL/LB
2012 — Kendall White, TE/LB
2012 — Tyler Terry, OL/DL
2011 — Jeremy Brown, RB/DB
2010 — Slade Edwards, FB/LB
2008 — Jordan McMullin, OL/LB
2006 — Justin Moss, QB/DB
2006 — Jeff Oldroyd, FB/LB
To view second team and honorable mention all-staters through the years, check out the Deseret News All-State Archives.