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Note: The Beetdiggers finished 9-4 overall, 3-3 in region play. They were eliminated from the 5A playoffs in the semifinals by Bingham.SANDY — After finishing third in region play, the Jordan football team had a thrilling playoff run that ended with a loss to eventual state champion Bingham.
Head coach Eric Kjar heads into his third season with a 16-9 record. He is a graduate of Kammerer, Wyo., and was an assistant at Jordan before taking over as head coach.Offense (6 returning starters)
The Rams graduated their entire offensive line, and how they perform could affect how effective the team's veteran quarterback, Fish Smithson, and full back, Sione Houma, will be. Houma, who rushed for 1064 yards and seven touchdowns, recently committed to Michigan. Smithson threw for 1,717 yards and 18 touchdowns. His favorite target, wide receiver Hayes Hicken, who is also the team's kicker, punter and cornerback.Defense (7 returning starters)
Like many 4A schools, most of Highland's best athletes will play both offense and defense. The Rams return only one defensive lineman, so how the unit develops will be key in succeeding. Smithson, Houma, Wil Nielson, Hayes Hicken and Justin Weaver are some of the returning starters that the team will rely on to anchor the young defense.
Despite losing some key starters from last year's semifinal squad, this year's players are looking forward to a new region and new challenges.
"Friday nights are definitely kind of surreal," said senior wide receiver and defensive back Taylor Loomis. "It's hard to keep yourself composed."
The big question for Jordan will be whether or not it can find a quarterback to take McCoy Hill's place. One of those competing for the starting job is freshman Austin Kafentzis, but with more than two weeks before that first game, nothing is set in stone.
Only one thing is certain — the Beetdiggers have a group of talented, experienced receivers, and if they can get them the ball, they will be formidable.
Both players and coaches are looking forward to the challenges that await them.
"It's an exciting region," said head coach Eric Kjar. "It's a fun change, and it's going to be a fun region … I think there is more balance in the regions now than there has been."
Like most teams, the Beetdiggers want to play football as long as possible.
"Everybody wants to try and win their region, win the state championship, and we definitely want to compete," he said. "We're just trying to play the best football we can. We try to focus on that every day. We try to do our best and not really worry about anyone else."
2011 Schedule
| Aug. 19 — FREMONT, 7 p.m. |
| Aug. 26 — at Layton, 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 2 — at Pleasant Grove, 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 9 — KEARNS, 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 16 — at Alta, 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 23 — Notre Dame, NY (at Rio Tinto), 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 30- at Copper Hills, 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 7 — COTTONWOOD, 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 14 — at Brighton, 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 19 — WEST JORDAN, 7 p.m. |
Kjar said the team's philosophy is on doing the best they can every time they take the field.
"We just want to work hard," he said. "We want to be the best at blocking, be the best at tackling … That's how you have success. You can't worry about any of the other stuff. We have to focus on ourselves; we have to focus on how hard we practice, how prepared to compete, and then you can separate yourselves."
Kjar admits it's a challenge to keep his young players focused on the smaller details, but that is ultimately what will determine the level of success they achieve.
"It is hard because they look at rankings and they think that stuff matters," he said. "But really, it's all determined on the field. And if you work hard, every day, every moment, then you put yourself in the best position possible."
He said if he can get them to focus on each drill, each rep in practice, they'll be ready for whatever comes their way on game day.
