High school football: Monticello Buckaroos 2012 preview

(7 returning starters; Wing-T offense)

Junior Austin Wilcox returns after leading the team in rushing yards with 1,031 a year ago, and senior Jake Duncan returns as the leading receiver. Junior Austin Maloy has been moved to quarterback, and he is aided by the return of senior Zach Johnson and the rest of the offensive line. In the third year of running the Wing-T, the team has had some continuity with the offense, and that should be very helpful this fall.

Defense

(7 returning starters)

Johnson also anchors the defensive line, and Duncan, Maloy, and PJ Leiataua will be crucial in shutting down opposing offenses. Now that the Monticello offense has settled in and become comfortable with its scheme, the focus shifts to tightening up on the defensive end. The Buckaroos feel they have the athletes to put together a more experienced and strong backfield this season.

Coaches preseason 1A South straw poll: First

Deseret News 1A South prediction: First

Bottom line: As is true with most small schools, a main key to success is maintaining healthy athletes throughout the season. The Buckaroos improved greatly last year, and certainly hope to continue in that direction this year. Monticello will hope that shuffling players into new positions will be seamless. The team’s experience in other positions and its effort toward a common goal should be crucial.

2012 schedule

Aug. 17 — WHITEHORSE, 7 p.m.

Aug. 24 — SAN JUAN, 7 p.m.

Aug. 31 — at Layton Christian, 4 p.m.

Sept. 7 — at Monument Valley, 7 p.m.

Sept. 14 — RICH, 7 p.m.

Sept. 21 — SUMMIT, 7 p.m.

Sept. 28 — at Altamont, 7 p.m.

Oct. 5 — DIAMOND RANCH, 7 p.m.

Oct. 12 — DUCHESNE, 7 p.m.

Oct. 18 — at Milford, 7 p.m.

.....

Felt’s Facts for Monticello High School

All-time record: 322-236-9 (59 years)

Region championships: 18 (1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 co, 1973, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 co, 1988, 1989, 1991, 2005, 2009, 2010)

Playoff appearances: 40

All-time playoff record: 32-36

State championships: 4 (1969, 1992, 2001, 2004)

State championship record: 4-4

Most played rivalry: 63 meetings with San Juan dating back to 1956. San Juan leads 40-21-2. Meet on Aug. 24.

Felt’s Factoid(s): Buckaroo Antonio Mustache set a state record for season interceptions with 26 in 2004. ... The last time a first-year coach won a state championship came when Seth Giddings directed Monticello to the Class 1A title in 2004.

Monticello coaching history

2010-current — Lee Chadwick (13-10)

2009 — Jake Downard (4-5)

2005-2008 — J.C. Hall (20-25)

2004 — Seth Giddings (11-1)

1997-2003 — Mike Bowring (46-30)

1994-1996 — Matt Torrens (13-16)

1991-1993 — Bill Manzanares (25-6)

1989-1990 — Joe Davis (11-11)

1979-1988 — John Dowell (63-37)

1976-1978 — Joe Davis (23-12)