High school football: Herriman Mustangs 2020 preview

Note: Herriman finished with a 9-3 overall record in 2019 and was tied for first in Region 3 with a 4-1 record. It was RPI seed No. 2 in the 6A playoffs, and was eliminated by American Fork 28-14 in quarterfinals.

HERRIMAN — Herriman has likely reached the point where it’s likely to be a winning program regardless the personnel moving on from one season to the next.

Head coach: Dustin Pearce

Heads into his eighth season as Herriman’s head coach with a 49-33 record over the past seven seasons and a state title in 2015. Prior to that he was Hunter’s head coach from 2008 to 2010 where his teams finished 19-15. He’s a graduate of Hunter High School and Southern Utah University.

Reloading, rather than rebuilding, is what the top programs typically do from year to year, although the Mustangs’ ability to simply reload will be tested in 2020. The team lost 17 of its 22 starters from a year ago, indicating perhaps a step back in overall performance, at least initially, presenting Herriman coach Dustin Pearce with a challenge he’s excited for.

“There’s a lot of kids with a lot of opportunities to step up and play on Friday nights,” Pearce said. “I love seeing guys develop and compete. It’s why I love to coach, so I’m excited to see how this team works and comes together with so many of them having the opportunity.”

Pearce has certainly shown the ability to put together top teams during his time at Herriman, and even though his work is cut out this year, it won’t be surprising should the Mustangs prove a winning program again.

“It’s going to be a baptism by fire, but we have a sound system here, defensively, and kids have been brought up well to play in that system,” Pearce said. “And then on offense we’ve brought in Matt Asiata, and I’m excited about that and what he’s doing on that side of the football. It’s exciting to see the work that’s going in.”

Herriman Mustangs at a glance

Coach Pearce’s thoughts on how his players dealt with the COVID-19 adversity in the spring and summer:

“I feel the kids have handled it very well. We’ve purchased masks for the kids in order to help do whatever we can to save the season. Kids want to play, no matter what, so they’ve bought into whatever safety requirements we have.”

2020 Schedule

Aug. 13 — DAVIS, 7 p.m.

Aug. 21 — at Corner Canyon, 7 p.m.

Aug. 28 — WEST JORDAN, 7 p.m.

Sept. 4 — WESTLAKE, 7 p.m.

Sept. 11 — at American Fork, 7 p.m.

Sept. 18 — at Bingham, 7 p.m.

Sept. 25 — at Jordan, 7 p.m.

Oct. 2 — EAST, 7 p.m.

Oct. 9 — at Copper Hills, 7 p.m.

Oct. 14 — RIVERTON, 7 p.m.

Herriman Offensive Snapshot

Offensive coordinator: Matt Asiata

2019 offense: 24.1 ppg (16th in 6A)

2019 offensive statistics

• 2 returning starters
• Pro style offense

Returning offensive starters

• Dylan Rich (OL)
• Hayden Lindquist (OL)

Offensive newcomers to watch

• Jack White (QB)
• Cody Lounsbury (QB)
• Nu’u Tafisi (RB)
• Mason Barker (FB)
• Keenan Aiono (WR)

Coach Pearce’s keys for offensive success in 2020:

“We need to find a quarterback and have two guys competing hard for that spot, and we like both of them. We feel Nu’u Tafisi is going to be a very good running back for us, but yeah, we just need to find guys ready to step up and take starting roles, and I think we have seen a number of them step up through practices and workouts.”

Herriman Defensive Snapshot

Defensive coordinator: Dustin Pearce

2019 defense: 14.5 ppg (1st in 6A)

2019 defensive statistics

• 3 returning starters
• 4-3 defense

Returning defensive starters

• Jaxson Fullwood (DL)
• Brock Hollingsworth (DB)
• Austin McMillan (DB)

Defensive newcomers to watch

• Ofa Kula (LB)
• Taunu’u Brown (DL)

Coach Pearce’s keys for defensive success in 2020:

“Other than the three returning starters it’s an open competition right now, with a lot of kids competing to play on Friday nights. But it’s fun, for me as a coach. Kids are excited and looking for their own identity, which is fun to coach and to watch. But yeah, we need a lot of guys to step up, but I like what I’ve seen so far.”

Deseret News outlook for 2020

Herriman may be hard-pressed to truly compete against top Region 3 teams like East and Bingham, given all the spots that need to be filled on the team heading into the season. The Mustangs will be relatively young, although the program does enjoy good numbers and good talent from year-to-year. A third-place finish in Region 3 play seems like exactly the right prediction, given all the factors involved.

Felt’s Facts for Herriman

• All-time record: 69-47 (10 years)

• Region championships: 2 (2013 co, 2019 co)

• Playoff appearances: 9
• All-time playoff record: 9-9
• State championships: 1 (2015)

• State championship record: 1-0

• Most played rivalry: 10 meetings with Riverton since 2010, Herriman leads 6-4.

Last 5 Seasons

• 2019 — 9-3 (4-1 in Region 3 – 6A Quarterfinals)
• 2018 — 4-6 (3-2 in Region 3 – 6A First round)
• 2017 — 6-6 (4-1 in Region 3 – 6A Semifinals)
• 2016 — 5-5 (3-3 in Region 4 – Did not qualify)
• 2015 — 11-3 (5-1 in Region 4 – 5A Champions)

Herriman coaching history


• 2013-current — Dustin Pearce (49-33) *1 State Title
• 2010-12 — Larry Wilson (20-14)


Deseret News All-State Archives

Check out our archives of Deseret News all-state teams from 1929 to 2019 at Deseret.com.

Herriman All-State at-a-glance

Deseret News MVPs the past 10 years


• 2015 — Leki Fotu (DL)

Deseret News First Team all-staters the past 10 years


• 2019 — Tracy Norman, OG
• 2019 — Mana Kula Jr., DT
• 2018 — Fisher Jackson, S
• 2017 — David Fotu, DT
• 2017 — Braxton Pearce, C
• 2017 — Jaren Kump, OT
• 2016 — Noah Vaea, S
• 2015 — Stone Sagala, OL
• 2015 — Peni Mobley, LB
• 2015 — Noah Vaea, DB
• 2014 — Andre James, OL
• 2014 — Kalisi Moli, DL
• 2013 — Brandon Farmer, RB

• 2013 — Andre James, OL

• 2012 — Tueni Lupeamanu, Specialist

• 2011 — Francis Bernard, RB