Editor’s note: This is Part 3 of the Idaho State Journal’s Summer Football Series that checks in with Pocatello, Century and Highland football as each prepares for the 2015 season.
Highland, fueled by heartbreak from losing in excruciatingly close fashion in the 2013 state title game, made sure to do everything required to avoid agony last season.
This year, a search of redemption is no more as there is an aim for a continuation of the glory collected when the Rams won the 2014 state title.
“It’s a journey to get to where we were last year and as a new class comes in they know what they need to do to try to continue the tradition,” said Highland coach Gino Mariani. “They worked hard this summer to get there.”
The defense will have to exert a lot of effort at the start of the season while the offense gets in sync.
Senior Connor Harding is the lone returning offensive starter from last year and is moving from receiver to quarterback.
No go-to pass catcher has arose thus far for Harding, who would have likely been the No. 1 receiver. Without any returning linemen, he will have to use his athleticism that makes him a coveted basketball player.
QUARTERBACKS
Harding will be replacing record-breaking quarterback Dakota Tillotson.
The senior, listed as a top-100 basketball recruit by ESPN, has a strong arm to go along with athleticism and leadership skills, said Mariani. Harding threw the ball seven times and completed three for 16 yards as a backup last season.
“He’s 6 foot 5. He’s probably the most athletic kid in the state,” Mariani said. “And if he wanted to make a career out of football, he could.”
Mariani added that Harding has invested the proper time to his secondary sport, as he simultaneously works toward becoming the best basketball player he can be. What the
new QB needs to improve on is his reads and progressions. The moment he does is when his coach said Harding will thrive.
RUNNING BACKS AND RECEIVERS
Highland looks to Kaden Buttars to take over the workload at running back.
The senior compiled 349 rushing yards on 64 carries last year, good for 5.5 yards per carry. Mariani is reminded of his previous two starting running backs, Garrett Christensen and Thad Hansen, when he sees Buttars play.
Butters, like his predecessors, has a football IQ to go along with a talent in blocking as well as running and catching the ball.
“He has it all,” Mariani said. “We’re excited to have him and he’s going to be one of those veteran kids that we’re going to lean on a little bit to help us out early on.”
Unlike at running back, the receiving corps does not have a player who is a go-to guy. Among potential contributors at the position are Cal Norby, a USA Today all-state baseball player, along with Greg Gwinn, Chase Mitten, Drew Pettit, Bowen Curtis, Adam Oliver and Landon Huff.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Highland loses every starter from the line of scrimmage, including center Tristen Hoge, one of the best players to ever go through Highland.
Seniors Jordan Kerr and Jared Pabawena, who received playing time last season, will be the leaders of the group.
Mariani has little apprehension of the inexperience because on his staff he has Warren Whitaker, who Mariani calls the best offensive line coach in the state.
“He’s a note taker. He pays attention to details. He understands our schemes and he’s very good at relaying that to the kids,” Mariani said. “He’s one who will get out in the summer and make sure the kids have the amount of repetitions they need to be ready for the season to start.”
An area where Whitaker needs to assist the linemen the most is pass blocking, which is more difficult to learn than run blocking, said Mariani.
DEFENSIVE LINE
No question marks lie with the opposite side of the line of scrimmage for Highland.
BYU commit Wayne Kirby highlights the group at defensive tackle where he will play alongside sophomore Tommy Togiai, who could earn a Division I scholarship offer of his own, according to Mariani.
They will be joined by defensive ends Aisa Kelemete and Hunter Eborn, an all-Poly football camp MVP this summer at linebacker. They were moved from the linebacker position to the defensive line because of their combination of speed and size. Plus, there are a plethora of players who can play effectively at linebacker.
Mariani said the four linemen were dominant during their summer camp.
“You couldn’t block them,” Mariani said. “They’re as good as it gets. They’re big, they’re strong and they’re powerful and they’re fast. That’s, I would say, one of our strengths of our team.”
LINEBACKERS
Junior Aren Manu, brother of future Washington player Kyler Manu, will man the center of the defense as middle linebacker. Junior Dylan Mangum and senior Gavin Mark will serve the area beside him as outside backers.
Aren Manu is a big, physical defender that fills open gaps. Mark makes up for a lack of top notch speed with an intelligence he brings to the field. Mangum brings an athleticism to the group, able to go into coverage or make tackles.
Eborn and Kelemete will also be outside linebackers periodically when they are not at the line.
SECONDARY
Jaden Miller, Mason Foltz and Brittan Bell all return as starters in the defensive backfield.
More reason to think they will only be better than last year is that Gwinn coming back after missing last season with an injury. Mariani said Gwinn is as good of a corner as he has seen in his years of coaching.
“If there is a college that wants a corner that can run, who’s strong and smart, you have to look no further than Greg Gwinn,” Mariani said. “He’s just an incredible talent.”
Gwinn will cover the opposing team’s top receiver, while Miller will serve as the No. 2 cornerback.
“Jaden Miller, on the other side, is as good as it gets,” Mariani said. “He’s a physical, physical corner that can handle any receiver.”
SPECIAL TEAMS
Highland has a kicker if feels it can count on in Connor Atkinson, who lofted balls between the uprights for the state title-winning team last year.
He made eight field goals and 65 extra points in his junior season.
“Every day this summer he’s out kicking field goals,” Mariani said. “I think he has aspirations of going to play as a kicker in college and he has a live leg, and I think has an ability to do that.”
While the position is sewn up, other special teams spots have not been given out. Mariani was unsure about which players will punt or return punts and kickoffs.
PERCEIVED STRENGTH
Mariani said the Highland defense could not have done much better than it did last year. The defense allowed 12.92 points per game and shutout three opponents in 2014.
But what little room there is to do better could be done by this year’s squad.
“Coming into the season they want to be as good as it gets,” Mariani said.
Eborn and Kelemete will play a part in the defense’s attempt to at least match what was achieved on defense before. While Highland’s primary front will be a 4-3, the Rams will be sure to back up one of their versatile players to the linebacker spot for a 3-4 alignment sometimes.
It all will be a part of the chaos the Rams hope to cause for offenses as they strive to go after a second consecutive state title to continue what the 2014 season started.
“They wreak havoc,” Mariani said. “They’re very physical. They’re very fast. Did I mention they’re physical? They’re very physical.”