Note: Bountiful finished with a 5-7 overall record in 2019 and was tied for fourth in Region 5 with a 2-3 record. It was RPI seed No. 17 in the 5A playoffs and was eliminated by Salem Hills 24-7 in second round.
BOUNTIFUL — After a long time as an assistant coach with the Bountiful Braves, Jason Freckleton is getting his chance to lead his alma mater.
Most recently, Freckleton served as the Braves’ offensive coordinator, and he’s looking forward to the chance to try to lead them back to prominence after a stretch that hasn’t seen them win more than five games since 2015.
“It’s a great place to be,” he said. “We’re not always going to be the biggest, the strongest or the fastest, but we get great athletes, hard workers and I think we’re headed in the right direction.”
In Freckleton’s view, even though Bountiful may not have won as much in recent years, a good foundation is in place, and he’s looking forward to implementing some of the things he learned as a player and coach at the school while also trying out some of his own ideas.
The coronavirus pandemic aside, he said it’s been a good start so far.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” he said. “Obviously COVID stuff is a completely different obstacle, but I feel the support from the school. The administration has been awesome. The support from the community, parents ... a lot of people have reached out to offer their support, willingness to help. That’s been awesome, and then the players have been receptive, very positive. I feel fortunate to be at a place where I can ask guys to do something and they do it.”
As much as Freckleton is looking to the future, he also reflects on the past at Bountiful, which won back-to-back state championships in 2002 and 2003 and won region titles as recently as 2010 and 2012.
“We talk a lot about that with the players, that you need to understand that the legacy has been established before you. Just trying to get them to buy into the fact that there is a great tradition here at Bountiful High and it was a powerhouse football team. It was a great place to be, and you have this opportunity to come and now it’s your turn to step in and make it great.”
Bountiful Braves at a glance
Freckleton’s thoughts on how his players dealt with the COVID-19 adversity in the spring and summer:
“That’s what we’re preaching around here, is if you have any signs of symptoms, you have to stay home, because this is a team-first mentality. ... We’re trying to preach that, but it’s a new world of football.”
Bountiful offensive snapshot
Offensive coordinator: Jason Freckleton
2019 offense: 20.6 (18th in 20.6 ppg)
2019 offensive statistics
- Six returning starters
- Pro style offense
Returning offensive starters
- Mitch Moldre (RB)
- Jono Larsen (WR)
- Brooks Fornelius (WR)
- Payson Hadley (WR)
- Ethan Smith (OL)
- Trevin Ostler (OL)
- Micah Pettit (K)
Offensive newcomers to watch
- Boston Malmrose (TBD)
- Max Barker (TBD)
- Isaac Vaivaka (OL)
- Anisi Purcell (TE)
Coach Freckleton’s keys for offensive success in 2020:
“Our success is going to be within our offensive line, because we have some size there that we haven’t had the last couple years. If the size is as good as the work ethic and the willingness to get it done, I think we could really be a physical offense that’s going to be tough to stop.”
Bountiful Defensive Snapshot
Defensive coordinator: Jason Walker
2019 defense: 20.0 ppg (11th in 5A)
2019 defensive statistics
- Three returning starters
- 3-4 defense
Returning defensive starters
- Mitch Moldre (LB)
- Brooks Fornelius (DB)
- Isaac Vaivaka (DL)
Defensive newcomers to watch
- Corbin DuBois (LB)
Coach Freckleton’s keys for defensive success in 2020:
“If our defense can communicate and execute and do their job, not try to do more than what they’re asked. Our defense is a very technical defense. ... The kids have to master those concepts on and off the field. If they can learn to work together within that scheme and trust each other, then they can really excel.”
Deseret News outlook for 2020
It appears that Freckleton will have more to work with than many coaches do when they take over a program. Especially on offense, a good amount of returning production should bode well for success this season, although there’s some uncertainty at quarterback. Defensively, there’s a bunch of holes to fill. How badly could that hurt the Braves? A middle-of-the-region team last year, it stands to reason that’s about where Bountiful will finish this season.
Felt’s Facts for Bountiful High School
- All-time record: 399-280-8 (64 years)
- Region championships: 11 (1959, 1964, 1974 co, 1975 co, 1977 co, 1981 co, 1990, 1999, 2001 co, 2002, 2010, 2012 co)
- Playoff appearances: 41
- All-time playoff record: 50-37
- State championships: 5 (1979, 1990, 1991, 2002, 2003)
- State championship record: 5-5
- Most played rivalry: 54 meetings with Viewmont dating back to 1964. Bountiful leads 32-23.
Last five seasons
- 2019 — 5-7 (2-3 in Region 5 — 5A second round)
- 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)
Bountiful coaching history
- 2020 — Jason Freckleton (0-0)
- 2018-2019 — Tyler Hughes (9-13)
- 2016-2017 — Randy Johnson (2-8)
- 1985-2015 — Larry Wall (238-116) *four state titles
- 1982-1984 — Kim Peterson (13-17)
- 1972-1981 — Paul Waite (75-33) *one state title
- 1968-1971 — Lynn Smith (4-33)
- 1965-1967 — Leo Conk (9-18)
- 1956-1964 — Lloyd Hayes (44-36)
Bountiful All-State at-a-glance
Deseret News First Team all-staters the past 10 years
- 2019 — Henry Harper, S
- 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