High school football: Cyprus Pirates 2012 preview

“Leadership-wise, the kids look to him,” he continued. “He’s kind of a man of few words but when he says something that’s what he means. He’s progressing day in and day out as a quarterback.”

Also watch for running-back Max Bonifacio. With a dyed-green Mohawk haircut, standing at just 5-foot-5 and 114 pounds, he’ll inherit a much larger role this year as the premier back and return specialist.

“I just like to try new things and decided to be crazy,” Bonifacio said of his dew. “So, I don’t know if it affects anything — maybe aerodynamic?”

“He’s powerful and quick. That 5-5, 140 pounds is full of power,” Wooldridge said of Bonifacio. “I’ve watched him at camp and he makes people miss. All of sudden you can’t find him and he squirts out somewhere. But he’s a power back; he doesn’t come down real easy.”

Defense

(Multiple-front offense)

Getting defensive stops needs to be the main priority for the Pirates. In nine games in 2011, Cyprus surrendered 30 points eight times, 40 points five times and a staggering 50 points or more three times.

With a new defensive staff and junior Nico Disera haunting the defensive secondary as a returning starter, improved numbers should be expected.

Coaches preseason Region 6 straw poll: Sixth

Deseret News Region 6 prediction: Sixth

Bottom Line: Cyprus should break its 10-game losing streak — that’s almost a foregone conclusion. The Pirates are 4-25 in the last three seasons, with consecutive 2-8 records in 2009 and 2010 before last year's winless campaign. It isn’t unreasonable to believe Cyprus could top two wins in 2012, but more than four wins might be pushing it.

2012 Schedule

Aug. 17 — at Murray, 7 p.m.

Aug. 24 — at Tooele, 7 p.m.

Aug. 31 — GRANGER, 7 p.m.

Sept. 7 — WEST, 7 p.m.

Sept. 14 — at Bountiful, 7 p.m.

Sept. 21 — WOODS CROSS, 7 p.m.

Sept. 28 — at East, 7 p.m.

Oct. 5 — HIGHLAND, 7 p.m.

Oct. 12 — CLEARFIELD, 7 p.m.

Oct. 17 — HILLCREST, 7 p.m.

Felt’s Facts for Cyprus High School

All-time record: 320-421-25 (86 years)

Region championships: 8 (1944, 1947, 1948, 1951, 1971, 1977 co, 1990, 2000)

Playoff appearances: 27

All-time playoff record: 12-26

State championships: 1 (1944)

State championship record: 1-3

Most played rivalry: 73 meetings with Murray dating back to 1926. Murray leads 39-30-4. Meet on Aug. 17.

Felt’s Factoid(s): Although they haven’t played Bingham since 1992, the Pirates can claim one thing over the powerhouse Miners, a 24-21-8 series advantage.

Cyprus coaching history

2012-Current — Scott Wooldridge

2009-2011 — Brian Jacketta (4-25)

2000-2008 — Sonny Sudbury (45-52)

1995-1999 — Dave Peck (20-30)

1986-1994 — Jerry Simonson (34-53)

1979-1985 — Billy Hunter (33-33)

1975-1978 — Don Conrad (17-20)

1973-1974 — Tom Crittenden (5-11)