High school football: Delta Rabbits 2009 preview

When it comes to tradition and success, few schools have been as successful as Delta and its nine state football championships. Year after year, regardless of the situation, the Rabbits win football games and as result they've qualified for the playoffs for 34 straight years.

There's a saying out in Delta that the high school football team doesn't rebuild, it reloads. The validity of that statement will be tested during the 2009 football season.

A year ago, Delta finished 10-2 and advanced to the 3A quarterfinals, but only four total starters are back from that team.

"I don't care about the experience, we'll get the experience," said coach Russ Henrie. "As long as we have the kids come who are willing to step in there and willing to learn and willing to fight, we'll be OK."

At a school with a reputation for producing tough, hard-nosed football players year after year, Henrie will likely have plenty of options at his disposal in 2009.

The rest of the region's coaches believe so. In the newly-created Region 12 that includes Manti, Juab, Richfield, North Sanpete and Emery, Delta was a near-unanimous selection by the coaches as the team to beat.

With so many holes to fill on both sides of the ball, Henrie admits his team might take a few lumps in the preseason. A 9-0 start like last season seems highly unlikely.

"It's going to take some time before we get the defense down and get the offense down, and settle on who's going to be where, but that's what the preseason's all about," said Henrie.

Ironically enough, Delta's biggest strength heading into the 2009 might be special teams. Brian Piacitelli has one of the strongest legs in 3A, which should provide Delta with advantageous field position throughout the year.

Inevitably, though, Delta's offense and defense will come around like it always does. Helping it along will be 6-foot-3, 250-pound senior Nick Nissen. A starter on both lines, Nissen is a player coach Henrie believes has the potential to be successful at the next level.

"Nick's the total package," said Henrie.

Delta's other starting offensive tackle from a year ago, Justin Loe, is also back. The duo gives Delta a solid foundation to work with, and now Henrie said it's up to the capable players who were waiting in the wings to step up.