Note: Bountiful finished with a 4-6 overall record in 2018 and was fifth in Region 5 with a 1-4 record. It did not qualify for the 5A playoffs.
Bountiful 2018 Offensive and Defensive Stats
BOUNTIFUL — The Bountiful Braves were one of the youngest teams in Region 5 last season.
Throw in the arrival of then new head coach Tyler Hughes, with a new system in tow, and things were kept pretty basic for Braves, mostly out of necessity.
“Last year at this time we were just trying to get people lined up,” Hughes said.
The result was an up-and-down 2018 campaign, as Bountiful finished the year 4-6 overall, 1-4 in region play, and failed to qualify for the postseason.
Things are looking rather different heading into 2019, however.
In year 2 under Hughes the Braves are experienced, arguably one of the most experienced teams in their region.
“Between both sides of the ball we have between eight and nine returning starters back,” Hughes said, “but we had a lot of guys play beyond that, a pretty significant number of snaps. We have good experience back and I feel like we are better this year than we were last year.”
The returners have enabled the Braves’ coaching staff to go into more detail this year, both on offense and defense, which should only bode well for the team’s prospects.
“We aren’t as experienced as some teams, but we are definitely experienced,” said Hughes. “I don’t feel like we are lacking guys who know what they are doing. It is nice, we are at a point now where we such a depth in what we can communicate to our players. Last year at this time we were just trying to get people lined up.
“Now we can get into a lot of the details, adjustments, how to deal with blitzes, personnel grouping, stunts and movement. We barely scratched the surface on that last year but this year we can go into much more detail. The players are enjoying because they have a more full tool kit.”
Bountiful Braves at a glance
Coach: Tyler Hughes is about to begin his second season as head coach at Bountiful. Hughes is a graduate of East High and Utah State and has had coaching stints at Ohio State, Snow College and Minot State (North Dakota).
Coach Hughes comments on new UHSAA RPI:
“I think the RPI is a good thing. It allows teams who play a tough competitive schedule to elevate in the tournament bracket. I am not as big on the fact that everyone gets into the tournament. I think they still could have accomplished what they wanted to without everyone getting in. I do know the goal in that, and that was to help teams in really tough regions, but I think the best teams will elevate and rise no matter what. I still think it should be just the top 16.”
Bountiful Offensive Snapshot
Offensive coordinator: Jason Freckleton
2018 offensive production: 17.4 ppg (21st in 5A)
— 4 returning starters
— Spread offense
Key offensive returning starters
— Eric Starkey (OG)
One of three returning starters along the Braves offensive line, Starkey will be key to opening up holes for the Bountiful run game.
— Andy Liljenquist (OT)
A senior returner, Liljenquist will combine with Starkey and Charlie Johnson to give the Braves an experienced offensive line.
Returning offensive starters
Andy Liljenquist (OT)
Charlie Johnson (OG)
Eric Starkey (OG)
Kenyon Hughes (WR) — out with an ACL injury
Offensive newcomers to watch
Julien Lopez (WR)
Peyton Beck (QB)
Kaden Hansen (C)
Gavin Shea (RB)
Brooks Fornelius (WR)
Mathis Bosteels (TE)
Bridger Morton (TE)
Coach Hughes comments on the Braves’ offensive line:
“Our line isn’t going to be big, but we have a good group of O-linemen. When they come out on the field they aren’t all 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds, but we have some good size. We have some young kids who have some talent too. I like our line, I feel like that will be a strong point for us on both sides of the ball.”
Coach Hughes comments on the quarterback competition:
“We don’t have a starting quarterback right now, no, and in fact we have been rotating four in order to find one.”
Coach Hughes comments on the running back corps:
“Our running backs are really strong. We have six between halfback and fullback who can play and we will figure out a way to get them on the field. Our backfield is really strong and a good mix of speed, quickness, power and strength. In all my coaching this is one of the best backfields I have had. I always want to be balanced (on offense). I think that is really important, but you also have to play to your strengths and those guys will be given ways to contribute.”
Keys for Offensive Success in 2019:
With returning starters on the O-line, and a host of capable ball carriers, the Braves have the look of a run-heavy offense, especially with question marks at receiver and quarterback. If those position groups can contribute, however, Bountiful should take a leap forward in terms of its attack.
Bountiful Defensive Snapshot
Defensive coordinator: Jason Walker
2018 defensive production: 21.6 ppg (8th in 5A)
— 5 returning starters
— 3-4 defense
Key defensive returning starters
— Dylan Brooks (LB)
One of two returning starters at linebacker, Brooks will be relied upon heavily due to his positional versatility.
— Jared McCann (S)
Along with fellow returning starters in the secondary in Jackson Brooks and Henry Harper, McCann is expected to play a signature role in the Braves defense.
Returning defensive starters
Dylan Brooks (LB)
Mitch Moldre (LB)
Henry Harper (S)
Jackson Brooks (CB)
Jared McCann (S)
Defensive newcomers to watch
Tahj Auvaa (LB)
Peyton Beck (S)
Ammon Ashby (CB)
Chandler Jones (LB)
Jaxson Royall (CB)
Corbin DuBois (LB)
Payson Hadley (DB)
Coach Hughes comments on the Braves’ 3-4 defensive scheme:
“We run a 3-4. I’m used to a 4-3 man, rather than the zone, but our guys enjoy it and I’m learning about it from Coach Walker. We want to push pressure on the O-line and the quarterback and that is his defense that he wanted. We have modified and tweaked some things, in terms of our personnel. We are just trying to get guys in position to be successful.”
Coach Hughes comments on the strength of the Bountiful first string:
“Our starting 11 is really good right now. Where I am concerned is our depth behind them. I feel right now, and maybe it is because our 1’s have done well enough that there is a big gap between them and our 2’s, but we have a lot of work to bring our (second-string) up to speed.”
Coach Hughes comments on the linebackers/safeties:
“Our two inside backers and our two safeties are really good. They are all guys I think can play college, they are all good athletes and smart tough kids. That is a definite strength for us.”
Keys for Defensive Success in 2019:
The Braves are well situated defensively heading into the season, with experience up the middle of the defense. The defensive line as a whole is a purported strength as well, with Coach Hughes noting, “I feel like that will be a strong point for us.” Cornerback is still a question mark, but the Braves have a chance to have one of the better defenses in 5A.
Bottom line
Bountiful was extremely young a season ago, in Coach Hughes first season at the head of the program. That has changed this year, as the Braves are nearly as experienced as any other team in Region 5. Quarterback remains a question mark on offense, cornerback on defense, but all told Bountiful is well positioned to make some noise.
Coaches preseason Region 5 straw poll: Fifth
Deseret News Region 5 prediction: Fourth
Key Region Game: at Farmington, Oct. 11 (Week 9)
2019 Schedule
Aug. 16 — at Hillcrest, 7 p.m.
Aug. 23 — WEBER, 7 p.m.
Aug. 30 — at Springville, 7 p.m.
Sept. 6 — BRIGHTON, 7 p.m.
Sept. 13 — at Woods Cross, 7 p.m.
Sept. 20 — BONNEVILLE, 7 p.m.
Sept. 27 — at Box Elder, 7 p.m.
Oct. 4 — VIEWMONT, 7 p.m.
Oct. 11 — at Farmington, 7 p.m.
Oct. 16 — MOUNTAIN CREST, 7 p.m.
….
Felts Facts for Bountiful High School
All-time record: 394-273-8 (63 years)
Region championships: 11 (1959, 1964, 1974 co, 1975 co, 1977 co, 1981 co, 1990, 1999, 2001 co, 2002, 2010, 2012 co)
Playoff appearances: 40
Current playoff appearance streak: 1
All-time playoff record: 49-36
State championships: 5 (1979, 1990, 1991, 2002, 2003)
State championship record: 5-5
Most played rivalry: 53 meetings with Viewmont dating back to 1964. Bountiful leads 31-23.
Felt’s Factoid(s): Bountiful was the last large school to shut out all its opponents in the playoffs. The Braves blanked all three en route to the 1979 Class 3A title.
...
Last 5
- 2018 — 4-6 (1-4 in Region 5 – Missed playoffs)
- 2017 — 5-6 (2-2 in Region 5 – 5A First round)
- 2016 — 2-8 (1-4 in Region 5 – Missed playoffs)
- 2015 — 7-5 (3-2 in Region 5 – 4A Quarterfinals)
- 2014 — 8-3 (5-1 in Region 6 – 4A First round)
...
Bountiful coaching history
- 2018-Current — Tyler Hughes (4-6)
- 2016-2017 — Randy Johnson (2-8)
- 1985-2015 — Larry Wall (238-116)
- 1982-1984 — Kim Peterson (13-17)
- 1972-1981 — Paul Waite (75-33)
- 1968-1971 — Lynn Smith (4-33)
- 1965-1967 — Leo Conk (9-18)
- 1956-1964 — Lloyd Hayes (44-36)
….
Deseret News First Team all-staters the past 10 years
- 2018 — Parker Nicoll, DE
- 2015 — Kaden Simmonds, FB
- 2015 — Brandon Bott, LB
- 2015 — Max Tooley, DB
- 2014 — Brady Christensen, OL
- 2013 — Ryan Curtis, Specialist
- 2012 — Jakob Hunt, RB
- 2011 — Rylee Guatavai, LB
- 2010 — Teau Satuala
- 2010 — Dillon Salazar, DB
- 2009 — Thomas Hamilton, DL
- 2009 — Helam Heimuli, DL
- 2009 — Ben Lemon, LB
To view second team and honorable mention all-staters through the years, check out the Deseret News All-State Archives.
EMAIL: twood@deseretnews.com TWITTER: @trentdwood