3A high school football: Juan Diego big on game preparation

Coaching and football are like peanut butter and jelly, they go hand in hand. Masterminds such as Vince Lombardi, Knute Rockne, Lou Holtz, Joe Paterno and Bear Bryant have solidified themselves as iconic figures in the sport. All of the afore mentioned possessed the ability not only to outsmart, out-fool and outthink their opponents — but also the capability of teaching their players the idiosyncrasies of the game and preparing them for all in-game situations.

As the Juan Diego Soaring Eagle take the field at 6:30 p.m. on Friday at Rice-Eccles stadium to take on Hurricane in a rematch of last year's state championship game, they'll be led by head coach John Colosimo.

Colosimo is in his 10th season at Juan Diego with a 95-25 record. Since his arrival in Draper, the team has soared to new heights. Juan Diego has eclipsed double digit wins in six seasons since 2001 and has three state titles to its resume.

Such success has many Juan Diego players crediting pre-game meetings, and leaving film sessions with a comfortable feeling of what the opposing team will throw at them come game time.

"(I) make better reads. (I know) who's deeper off, and what corner we think we can make a play on," said Juan Diego quarterback Cody Stevenson. "I think we'll see an eight-man, maybe nine-man front (against Hurricane). If that happens, we have receivers that can catch the ball. We'll be able to throw. (We'll run) quick throws, (and) take pressure off the line, (and) get it out to the receiver and let them make plays."

Stevenson has tossed for 1,640 yards and recorded 18 total touchdowns this season so far.

"Every week we scheme differently for a team. Depending on different teams, we're gonna play different," added Juan Diego free safety Frankie Sutera. "The way (we) scheme helps put everybody in the right position to make plays."

Sutera currently leads the team in tackles (74) and is second in interceptions (5), even though he runs an atypical defensive back 40-yard dash time, at 4.8 seconds. He attributes his ability to make up for his lack of speed to preparation and desire.

"Watching film (helps). (We) watch certain things that linemen (and) quarterbacks do, (while) watching certain receivers. It really helps put you in the right position to make a play," Sutera said. "If you get a good read you can be up on the ball quicker. Field speed helps too. You'll see people who run 4.4's and when they get on the field they shy up and are real slow. It's all about mentality."