Two-a-days: Granger Lancers
TEAM: Granger
DATE: July 23
SITE: Granger football field
IN THE TRENCHES
Last season was a rebuilding year for the Lancers, a chance to get acclimated to the style of play employed by Jonny Matich, who took over the job six months before the season began.
Granger, on the field, went 2-8, yet still had a chance to make the playoffs. And while an 11-6 loss to Cyprus killed that chance at the postseason, the year was still deemed a success, simply because Granger was competitive, and the Lancers seemed to grow as the season went on. Off the field was a little more taxing, as Matich lost a ton of kids to academic reasons before the year even started. As a result, he had to deal with smaller numbers as he was down to 35 kids for all three levels by the time the end of the season rolled around. That shouldn't be as much of a problem this time around. The numbers are up to around 55. Matich, not wanting to lose kids in the summer, got rid of the kids who weren't eligible at the end of the academic year, rather than let them stay around and try to make credits up during the summer. The changes should lead to more chemistry for the Lancers, who Matich hopes will lead to a lot more on-field success.
ON OFFENSE
Granger is old-school on offense, employing the wing-T, which is designed to run the ball right at a defense, daring that defense to stop the Lancers. When done properly, it's a demoralizing offense that gets four yards a pop, chews up time, keeps the opposing defense on the field and wears opponents down. Matich definitely feels that he has the tools to make things happen on offense. He's returning basically his entire offensive line. He's got running back Many Samani returning to the offense, which is huge considering his 650 rushing yards a season ago. The line returning is huge as well, because the wing-T relies heavily on a line's ability to create holes and running lanes. Brent Phillips will direct the offense at quarterback, a 210-pound sophomore whom Matich envisions as a three-year starter. Phillips saw time as a freshman, even starting a few games at tight end. He's got an arm good enough that Matich wants to throw a few wrinkles in to throw the ball. T.J. Tapusoa, who started at center for the basketball team, is back as well. He'll start out at tight end, but will also play some receiver since he's such a good athlete. At 6-foot-2, he also has good size and is a great blocker.
ON DEFENSE
Because Granger is so athletic, but also undersized in spots, the Lancers will play a 4-2-5 defense that includes five defensive backs. Matich hopes the speed will help when it comes to pursuing the football, and he says that a few of his D-backs have the size and the strength to come up and make plays close to the line, just like a linebacker would. Matich says that the defense, while a little unconventional, is one designed to change into a 4-3 very easily. If anything, it's naturally designed to play against the pass, so teams with spread offenses won't bother them. What helps for Granger is the fact that the defensive line will be a strength, as all four down lineman return, including Avalisi Lapuaho and Meili Valle. Both, according to Matich, are being monitored by BYU and Weber State. Both are in the 6-foot-4, 270-pound range. Both have quick feet and powerful bases.
THE VETERAN
Samani's impact goes way beyond his production on the field. He's a leader in the weight room, he makes good grades, he's popular with the student body, and he's poised to have a great senior season. Matich lights up when talking about his senior back. When he started out last season, he was strictly a straight ahead back, now he's able to cutback against the grain and he has the speed to outrun defenses and turn the corner.
THE NEW GUY
Tali Houma, a rising senior, transferred in from Alaska for this season. At 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, he's expected to step right in and start at running back, complementing Samani in the process. Funny thing is, Houma's never played football in his life. He is an accomplished rugby player, and should also play some cornerback as well, since he's got 4.7 speed in the 40-yard dash.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The Lancers should really expect to be better than last season. They have continuity, they have some depth, they have athletes and they have experience. If they can get solid quarterback play, they should have a good chance to improve on the win total of last season.
-- Tony Jones
DATE: July 23
SITE: Granger football field
IN THE TRENCHES
Last season was a rebuilding year for the Lancers, a chance to get acclimated to the style of play employed by Jonny Matich, who took over the job six months before the season began.
Granger, on the field, went 2-8, yet still had a chance to make the playoffs. And while an 11-6 loss to Cyprus killed that chance at the postseason, the year was still deemed a success, simply because Granger was competitive, and the Lancers seemed to grow as the season went on. Off the field was a little more taxing, as Matich lost a ton of kids to academic reasons before the year even started. As a result, he had to deal with smaller numbers as he was down to 35 kids for all three levels by the time the end of the season rolled around. That shouldn't be as much of a problem this time around. The numbers are up to around 55. Matich, not wanting to lose kids in the summer, got rid of the kids who weren't eligible at the end of the academic year, rather than let them stay around and try to make credits up during the summer. The changes should lead to more chemistry for the Lancers, who Matich hopes will lead to a lot more on-field success.
ON OFFENSE
Granger is old-school on offense, employing the wing-T, which is designed to run the ball right at a defense, daring that defense to stop the Lancers. When done properly, it's a demoralizing offense that gets four yards a pop, chews up time, keeps the opposing defense on the field and wears opponents down. Matich definitely feels that he has the tools to make things happen on offense. He's returning basically his entire offensive line. He's got running back Many Samani returning to the offense, which is huge considering his 650 rushing yards a season ago. The line returning is huge as well, because the wing-T relies heavily on a line's ability to create holes and running lanes. Brent Phillips will direct the offense at quarterback, a 210-pound sophomore whom Matich envisions as a three-year starter. Phillips saw time as a freshman, even starting a few games at tight end. He's got an arm good enough that Matich wants to throw a few wrinkles in to throw the ball. T.J. Tapusoa, who started at center for the basketball team, is back as well. He'll start out at tight end, but will also play some receiver since he's such a good athlete. At 6-foot-2, he also has good size and is a great blocker.
ON DEFENSE
Because Granger is so athletic, but also undersized in spots, the Lancers will play a 4-2-5 defense that includes five defensive backs. Matich hopes the speed will help when it comes to pursuing the football, and he says that a few of his D-backs have the size and the strength to come up and make plays close to the line, just like a linebacker would. Matich says that the defense, while a little unconventional, is one designed to change into a 4-3 very easily. If anything, it's naturally designed to play against the pass, so teams with spread offenses won't bother them. What helps for Granger is the fact that the defensive line will be a strength, as all four down lineman return, including Avalisi Lapuaho and Meili Valle. Both, according to Matich, are being monitored by BYU and Weber State. Both are in the 6-foot-4, 270-pound range. Both have quick feet and powerful bases.
THE VETERAN
Samani's impact goes way beyond his production on the field. He's a leader in the weight room, he makes good grades, he's popular with the student body, and he's poised to have a great senior season. Matich lights up when talking about his senior back. When he started out last season, he was strictly a straight ahead back, now he's able to cutback against the grain and he has the speed to outrun defenses and turn the corner.
THE NEW GUY
Tali Houma, a rising senior, transferred in from Alaska for this season. At 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, he's expected to step right in and start at running back, complementing Samani in the process. Funny thing is, Houma's never played football in his life. He is an accomplished rugby player, and should also play some cornerback as well, since he's got 4.7 speed in the 40-yard dash.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The Lancers should really expect to be better than last season. They have continuity, they have some depth, they have athletes and they have experience. If they can get solid quarterback play, they should have a good chance to improve on the win total of last season.
-- Tony Jones
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