High school football: Grand football boasts huge linemen, expectations

The Grand football team will live up to its name this year. At least in stature. The offensive line on this team is gigantic by 2A proportions and will surely be bigger than many 5A teams.

Returning as a first team all stater is Daniel Simpson who weighs 275 pounds and stands 6-foot-2. Next to him on the line is a 295-pounder Shane Yuhas. Manning the center position is 6-foot-5, 280 pound Tony Cossairt. Ryan Burraston rounds out the seniors on the line at 235 pounds.

The only underclassman is junior Zach Taylor at 215 pounds. "They have all been hitting the weight room," said Dennis Wells, who took this school to a state championship three years ago.

He is looking for another similar run this year and appears to have the horses to pull it off. His only concern is experience at the quarterback position. Austin Brewer looks to be the starter with Trevor Robertson possibly sharing time there. "Both these guys are good athletes, they just have to get some experience," said Wells.

Maybe they will just need to learn to hand the ball off and let the backs run behind that huge offensive line. In the past Wells has run a spread offense but this year he expects to change some.

"We will have more of a power offense," he said, "we will come right at people."

In the backfield, senior Cayden Black and junior Dallen Dalton will run the football. Both have been clocked at 4.6 in the 40.

Trevor Robertson will play at one wide out position and Eric Wermuth, who just moved in from Wisconsin, will man the other spot. Senior Jordan Keogh will see time at tight end as well as defensive end.

"Our goal," said Wells, "is to go all the way."

GRAND RED DEVILS PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

COACH: Dennis Wells, in his sixth season, has built this program from scratch. His first year the team went winless, as it did in three straight seasons before his arrival. Three years ago Grand took state and last year they lost in the semifinals.

KEY PLAYERS: Offensive lineman Dan Simpson, Shane Yuhas, Tony Cossairt, Ryan Burraston and Zach Taylor give this squad an advantage over just about every team size-wise in 2A.

QUESTION MARK: Wells is concerned about how quickly quarterback Austin Brewer will adapt to varsity football, not only learning just the offense but the middle linebacker position as well.

LAST YEAR: 6-5, lost in the semifinals

PREDICTED 2A SOUTH FINISH: Fourth

POSTSEASON POSSIBILITIES: If all goes well, Grand could be in the championship game.

2008 SCHEDULE

Aug. 22 — EMERY, 7 p.m.

Aug. 29 — at Monticello, 7 p.m.

Sept. 5 — at South Summit, 7 p.m.

Sept. 12 — ALTAMONT, 7 p.m.

Sept. 19 — SOUTH SEVIER, 7 p.m.

Sept. 26 — at Beaver, 7 p.m.

Oct. 3 — at Richfield, 7 p.m.

Oct. 10 — SAN JUAN, 7 p.m.

Oct. 15 — MILLARD, 7 p.m.

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E-mail: wjewkes@desnews.com