Note: Granger finished with a 0-11 overall record in 2019 and was seventh in Region 2 with a 0-6 record. It was RPI seed No. 27 in the 6A playoffs, and was eliminated by East 48-18 in first round.
SANDY — In Granger head coach Pala Vaitu’u’s debut season as head man of the Lancers, Granger went winless.
“Last year was a big learning experience for our team, especially on the offensive side. Cause you know, they were running a double wing for four or five years prior, and then we came and changed it into a spread. So it was a whole different world for them,” Vaitu’u said. We kind of struggled a bit and that’s kind of how our season went, but that was a big-time learning experience and that was a good experience for our kids to go through.”
This season, the Lancers should be much improved. Granger returns seven offensive starters and 10 defensive starters, bringing a wealth of experience back this season.
“When you go from double wing to spread, that’s two different worlds. Just the experience that they went through and then through this offseason that went through, it has been a big change,” Vaitu’u said. “There’s no thinking, there’s no questions. A lot of them now they’re just doing and just reacting and just using their physical abilities now instead of having to think too much.
Granger Lancers at a glance
Coach Vaitu’u’s thoughts on how his players dealt with the COVID-19 adversity in the spring and summer:
“For us, I think we took advantage of being away. We had Zoom meetings three to four times a week. We basically worked on implementing our offense, going through chalk talk. We did everything on offense and defense and during our Zoom meetings, during the whole virus and then also our kids got their workouts for them to do while at home and on their own and a lot of them stuck to it, a lot of them went out there and continued to work hard, continued to lift, continue to work on their skill development. So by the time we were allowed to get back and get together there wasn’t really a big learning curve that they had missed. Now, it was just applying everything that they did in Zoom meetings and everything that they worked on their own and then just applying that to the team when we get together. With that, it was definitely a blessing. I’m glad we did that. We would have been light years behind. We actually did a good job with our whole team during the whole COVID shutdown.”
Granger offensive snapshot
Offensive coordinator: Pala Vaitu’u
2019 offense: 11.8 ppg (25th in 6A)
2019 offensive statistics
- 7 returning starters
- Spread offense
Returning offensive starters
- Tasi Alatini (WR)
- Dionzy Fue (WR)
- Anthony Misi (WR)
- Bobo Naeata (OL)
- Luke Manuatu (OL)
- Chango Ruiz (OL)
- Jason Combs (FB)
Offensive newcomers to watch
- Kadius Fuimaono (QB)
Coach Vaitu’u’s keys for offensive success in 2020:
“As long as they stick with the scheme, with the game plan that we put in, we’re going to do well. Especially at quarterback, he is a leader vocally, he is as example on and off the field and unite, he has worked hard during the COVID shut down and everything, and just learning everything that has to do with the offense, getting everybody in sync and everybody on the same page. If we continue to just all be on the same page and everybody just do their own job, we’ll be successful on the offensive side.”
Granger defensive snapshot
Defensive coordinator: Tyler Haslam
2019 defense: 40.5 ppg (27th in 6A)
2019 defensive statistics
- 10 returning starters
- 4-2-5 defense
Returning defensive starters
- Anthony Misi (DE)
- Dwayne Tapusoa (OL)
- Vita Finau (LB)
- Jason Combs (LB)
- Desmond Fue (OL)
- Tony Afemata (FS)
- Dionzy Fue (S)
- Tiger Laita (CB)
- Landon Bates (CB)
- Andrew Fleischer (WR)
Defensive newcomers to watch
- Mone Liavaa (DE)
Coach Vaitu’u’s keys for defensive success in 2020:
“We kind of made it simple this year so there’s not a lot of thinking and more of just reacting and doing this year. So far it has worked out. The kids are out there running fast, having fun tackling. As long as they do that and continue to do that and then get them to add upon it each time, each week, they’ll be fine. I love the energy. They love to be out there. The biggest thing is they’re all playing for each other.”
Deseret News outlook for 2020
After a winless season last year, the Lancers have nowhere to go but up. A wealth of returning experience and familiarity with the system should help Granger get on the board this season.
Felt’s Facts for Granger
- All-time record: 267-341-5 (62 years)
- Region championships: 9 (1967, 1976 co, 1977 co, 1985, 1987 co, 1988, 1989 co, 1995, 1999 co)
- Playoff appearances: 29
- All-time playoff record: 13-29
- State championships: 0
- State championship record: 0-0
- Most played rivalry: 48 meetings with Cyprus dating back to 1958. Granger leads 27-21-1.
Last 5 seasons
- 2019 — 0-11 (0-6 in Region 2 – 6A First round)
- 2018 — 3-7 (1-3 in Region 2 – 6A First round)
- 2017 — 2-8 (2-2 in Region 2 - 6A First round)
- 2016 — 6-5 (3-3 in Region 2 — Missed playoffs)
- 2015 — 4-6 (2-4 in Region 2 — Missed playoffs)
Granger coaching history
- 2019-current — Pala Vaitu’u (0-11)
- 2014-2018 — Mike Morgan (16-35)
- 2012-2013 — Cecil Thomas (7-4)
- 2011 — Alex Gehrke (6-4)
- 2009-2010 — Doyle Holt (4-16)
- 2007-2008 — Johnny Matich (4-16)
- 2004-2006 — Richard Grosh (8-25)
- 2000-2003 — Dan Eckert (11-30)
- 1990-1999 — Ray Groth (55-71)
- 1982-1989 — Mike Fraser (57-21)
- 1980-1981 — Gordon Hanks (8-12)
- 1974-1979 — Greg Shepherd (30-31)
- 1973 — Perry Gillette (1-9)
- 1967-1972 — Ken Griener (32-21)
- 1964-1966 — Jay Rasmussen (12-12)
- 1962-1963 — Carl Ebert (2-16)
- 1958-1961 — Don Rydalch (12-21)
Granger All-State at-a-glance
Deseret News First Team all-staters the past 10 years
- 2017 — Mosese Sonasi, TB
- 2013 — Kenyon Frison, OL