Note: North Sevier finished with a 1-8 overall record in 2014 and was seventh in 2A South with an 0-6 record. It did not qualify for the 2A playoffs.
SALINA — If anyone knows how difficult it is to breathe life into a losing football program it’s Chuck Woodhouse and his staff.
Since 2010, the North Sevier football team has won just two games. Woodhouse starts his third season at the helm of the program that has struggled for relevance in a pretty competitive 2A region.
“We know we’ve got our work cut out for us,” Woodhouse said. “North Sevier is not known to be the toughest of games. Teams play us with confidence because of that.”
In the past, the lack of tradition may have been a burden to carry or a obstacle to overcome. But this year, Woodhouse sees his players using it to their advantage. “They’re playing with a little bit of a chip on their shoulder finally,” he said. “The ALA game last year, we got the win and then thought it was going to be easy.”
The team fumbled three times inside the five-yard line in the following week’s loss to Gunnison.
“That loss, I think it’s acting as a motivator,” he said. “There is still that mystique that North Sevier is a walkover, and teams come in and play with confidence. …But it’s motivated our players.”
Most of the team that suffered through last year’s one-win season is back this year, and Woodhouse said there has been a noticeable shift in their attitude and work ethic.
“They’ve been in the weight room training as hard as I’ve ever seen anybody work,” he said. “They’re becoming a family – working together, hanging out together. We feel good about where we stand as a team.”
The team is led by a number of players, but four stand out even among the team’s top talent and leaders. It all starts with senior quarterback Fisher Anderson and senior tight end Preston Snyder.
“They’ve really stepped up,” Woodhouse said. “They’ve been vocal, emotional leaders. Just the things they do on the field, putting people in the position to make plays and helping those younger kids.”
Additionally, Makay Peterson and Porter Butterfield, who were the only juniors voted to be team captains, have joined Anderson and Snyder in creating the kind of chemistry teams need to succeed on the field.
“They’re building each other up,” he said. “We have more unity than I’ve seen on any team I’ve coached. …I’ve been really impressed with their leadership. They’re working hard and it’s impressive to watch.”
North Sevier Wolves at a glance
Head Coach: Chuck Woodhouse enters his third year as the head coach at North Sevier. The Orem, Snow and SUU High alum has a 1-17 record as the Wolves head football coach.
Offense (Pistol/spread; 9 returning starters)
Offensive coordinator: Wyatt Mason (second year)
Returning offensive starters:
Fisher Anderson (SR)
Preston Synder (TE)
Dakota Davis (JR)
Akir Rowe (JR)
Branson Honeycutt (SOPH)
Gage Hildebrand (SR)
Kasey Anderson (SR)
Makay Peterson (JR)
Porter Butterfield (JR)
Payton Thurston (JR)
Mitch Sorenson (JR)
Noah Porter (JR)
DEFENSE (4-3; 11 returning starters)
Defensive coordinator: Chuck Woodhouse
Returning defensive starters:
Akir Rowe (JR)
Noah Porter (JR)
Porter Butterfield (JR)
Makay Peterson (JR)
Gage Hildebrand (SR)
Payton Thurston (JR)
Cody Woodhouse (JR)
Porter Butterfield (JR)
Fisher Anderson (SR)
Rocky Bringhurst (JR)
Heston Burr (JR)
Brooks Mickelson (JR)
Preston Synder (SR)
Coaches preseason Region 2A South straw poll: Sixth
Deseret News Region 2A South prediction: Sixth
Bottom line: After a one-win 2014 season, the Wolves have nowhere to go but up this fall. They have the experience, as well as the athletes to compete with any team in their region. The biggest obstacle they face may be their own perception of what’s possible for the program.
Last 5
2014 — 1-8 (0-6 in 2A South -- Missed playoffs)
2013 — 0-9 (0-6 in 2A South -- Missed playoffs)
2012 — 0-9 (0-7 in 2A North -- Missed playoffs)
2011 — 1-8 (0-7 in 2A North -- Missed playoffs)
2010 — 0-10 (0-5 in 2A East -- Missed playoffs)
North Sevier coaching history
2013-current — Chuck Woodhouse (1-17)
2007-2012 — Ryan Higgs (18-42)
2004-2006 — Paul Torgerson (7-23)
2003 — Nolan Andersen (0-10)
1999-2002 — Stoney Myers (10-29)
1992-98 — Craig Gladwell (26-41)
1991 — David Gray (1-6)
1990 — Juan Henderson (1-7)
1981-89 — Glen Partridge (37-48)
1978-80 — Ron Dalley (11-15)
1974-77 — Glen Partridge (10-19)
1971-73 — Dennis Crane (6-22)
1927-34 — Parley Davis (4-18-1)
1924-26 — unknown (4-9-1)
1922-23 — Mr. Hansen (0-8)
Deseret News MVPs the past 10 years
2008 —Wyatt Mason, RB
Deseret News First Team All-Staters the past 10 years
2010 — Michael Hales, WR/DL
2008 — Josh Bates, RB/LB
2008 — Evan Pettit, OL/DL
2008 — Bobby Robins, Ol/DL
2008 — Riley Tidlund, TE/LB
2007 — Tyler McEown, RB
2007 — Vance Nelson, OL/DL
2005 — Zak Harrison, WR/DE
2005 — Tyrel Torgerson, QB/DE
To view second-team and honorable mention all-staters through the years, check out the Deseret News All-State Archives.