High School Football: Experienced Hurricane football team figures to be Region 9 team to beat

On paper, at least according to coach Chris Homer, the team should be able to compete against everybody on the schedule.

Lastly, on paper, this Hurricane team compares favorably to the 2005 team that advanced to the 3A state semifinals with a 12-0 record before falling to Logan.

Only time will tell if it translates into success.

"I feel like we have a good program now," said Homer. "Ninety-five percent of the kids lifted at least 18 times this summer. I feel like we're on the right track."

Much of the optimism is largely due to last year's seniors, or lack thereof. Only 13 seniors were on the 2007 squad, forcing Homer to start a ton of underclassmen. As a result, there are 10 returning starters on offense and six on defense this year.

"Last year we knew it was going to be a down year with only 13 seniors, and none of them really impact players," said Homer. "You never hope for a season like that, but it should pay off for us."

It should particularly pay off on offense. Gordie Dotson is back for his senior season after rushing for over 1,200 yards as a sophomore and over 1,600 yards as a junior.

In Hurricane's Wing-T offense, Homer believes Dotson could challenge for the statewide rushing title.

"Gordie's going to be a special back this year if he stays healthy. The thing that helps this year that we didn't have last year is balance. We should be able to pass. We should be able to run," said Homer.

The presence of Zach Sorenson should help as well. Just a junior, he's a pure athlete who will punish opposing defenses on the outside for committing too many bodies to stopping Dotson in the middle.

Returning first-team all-stater Ryan Butler will open up plenty of holes for Dotson, Sorenson and returning starting quarterback Jase Langston.

"He's a kid that just does his job. He goes to the whistle," said Homer.

As good as the offense figures to be, the defense is more of a work in progress. Homer wants to limit the number of kids who play both ways, with many of those unproven players getting nod defensively. There's still talent though. Dotson and Butler will be two-way starters, while Riley Pentico and Ian Gates are solid middle linebackers and Gary Bracken is a returning second-team all-stater and a fantastic cover corner.

HURRIANE TIGERS PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

COACH: Chris Homer has worked extremely hard the past six years to establish a winning program at Hurricane. With nearly 120 kids out this year, he believes the hard work is starting to pay off.

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