High school football: Cottonwood Colts confident in stopping opponents

Note: Cottonwood finished with an 8-4 record in 2009 and tied Hunter for first in Region 2 with a 5-1 record. The Colts lost to Alta in the 5A quarterfinals.

MURRAY — When it comes to stopping opponents, Cottonwood is confident it will be unrivaled in that department this fall.

The Colts will field a defense that returns nine of 11 starters from a year ago. Five of those players – Anthony Lewis, Luke King, Ben Heimuli, Kami Sofele and James Washington – have multiple Division I offers. King led the team with 65 tackles last season and Sofele was a team leader in interceptions with three picks.

The talent level is also high among the defensive coaches – including, most notably, Ron Halbert, who was the Alta defensive coordinator for several years before taking over the same position with the Colts.

Given all the talent at its disposal, Cottonwood is feeling confident its defense can be a difference maker all season long.

"This team has so much experience that we know how to lead," Lewis said. "We really know what's expected to win."

One thing that sets the Colt defense apart, from the perspective of Lewis, is how much passion it brings to the football field. This is a group of players who work hard at being good defenders, but also know how to find enjoyment in what they do.

"What they're doing out here is what they love to do," Lewis said. "And if they don't, they're going to learn to love it."

Cottonwood's defense has more to play for than simply a Region 2 championship or even a 5A title. The Colts want to use this season as an avenue to honor former coach Teko Johnson.

Johnson was set to begin his first season after leaving Mountain View to take the job at Cottonwood when he died unexpectedly in Atlantic City last month while visiting family. His untimely death has become a rallying point for the team as it heads into its season opener.

This is Johnson's season and they want it to be associated with as many victories as possible.

"That's what Teko would have wanted," interim coach Josh Lyman said. "He wouldn't want us sitting back and feeling sorry. He would want us to get up and move on to the next play and win some ball games."