UPDATE: The Utah Shock start their season 1-0 with a win vs. the Missoula Phoenix in Montana. The final score was 24 – 14.
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Utah Shock 2009 Team Preview
3/22/2009
Apparently, the magic number is two. The Utah Shock had two losses in 2008, both coming from the eventual RMFL Champions. The Utah Shock was also two games away from their first ever AAA Championship. After a dismal 2007 season, the Shock came into the league with high expectations in 2008, but fell short.
What happens in 2009 when the season before, you go 7-2 and are crowned the “regular season champs?” You get a tough schedule. The Shock open up their 2009 campaign in Missoula, then play the new, but not new Wasatch Revolution, and then host the Cache Valley Bears in their home opener.
One thing that the Shock still has going for them is this: 2008 RMFL MVP Jordan Kjar.
To preview this team, you have to take what they accomplished last year, and then accumulate all the things they have lost, added, and changed from last year to this year. Previewing my own team is harder than most people may think, but at least it’ll give everyone out there an idea of where we’re at. (And it’ll give us an idea of where we’re at.)
OFFENSE
The Shock offense is known for being high powered, score at will, pass happy, and no run type offense. On paper, in 2008, the Shock’s leading rusher was their QB. So, it’s probably likely they are still going to pass a lot. But that’s on paper.
The Shock’s key losses will be #1 RMFL leading receiver Matt Thornton, who’s pursuing his professional career in the AIFA. Another key loss will be #3 RMFL leading receiver Chris Liddiard who is recovering from an offseason knee surgery. Losing two of the top three receivers on your team is one thing, but these guys were in the top three in the whole league!
QB Jordan Kjar is back to defend his MVP title, but returns with a bunch of new faces. At running back returns George Allums, a former RMFL All-Star who’s been at Mesa Community College for the past two years. George was a part of the 2006 Muddog Championship team. Leading the way for Allums will be former Viper, and former RMFL All Star Josh Christensen, JC has been out of the league for a year, but anyone who has been around knows JC can still run people over. Expect Stephen Pizza and JJ Moncada to also play key factors in the run game that will hopefully open up the pass game even more.
Now we’ve talked about the WRs that we lost. But let’s talk about who does return. Former Ute Fano Tagovailoa is still around, as is Trent Evans, Chad Kjar, and back on offense is Chris Hooper. With the additions of Colby Cook, Nash Montoya, and the return of Dillon Hofeling, do not be surprised if the Shock still pass. (Weird.) Shock coaches expect a lot from this group of wide outs, as they all have to step up and fill some shoes from last season. But this is the Shock, they are going to pass, and the wide outs will all be a huge part of this offense. Let’s just hope they are ready for the task at hand.
The key to this offense will be the new offensive line. The line has always been small, and always been the question mark of the offense. Now they have some quality running backs, so the line will be challenged. Leading the hogs up front will be longtime Shock player Nick Vickers and Tren Hagman. Joining them will be Chuck Hall, Kurt Horspool, Silipa Tupola, Dave Hemmers, Kelly Kariger, as well as Ryan Crossman. With depth at line, this could be a vast improvement for the Shock offense. They are known throughout the league to be explosive, high powered, and high scoring. In 2009, I don’t think it looks to be any different.
DEFENSE
Known throughout the league as the guys who just have to keep the opponents point total less than their offenses, this defense has had a major face lift. Yes they do return key starters LB Gary Smith, SS Ryan Morrow, FS Kyto Khouangrasvongsay, DE Chad Peterson, DE Junior Tagovailoa, and LB Matt Christensen, but what else? This defense has always been “on paper” one of the worst in the league. But what are they going to prove in 2009? With the departures of Defensive Coordinator John Thornton and LB Kelon Brooks, the defense had to start pretty much from scratch. Calling the defense will be longtime Shock player, now full time Shock coach, Chris Miles. In their first practice as a new defensive unit, the Shock offense struggled against their defense. That may not mean a lot to anyone else, but to the Shock defense, that means wonders.
Up front for the Shock will an array of different players. With the depth on the team expect many faces to make an impact on the front line for the Utah Shock. Alongside Tagovailoa and Peterson will be newcomers Troy Peterson, Josh Slater, Lika Opeta, as well as Tua Nuku and Zack Gardiner who has been with the Shock in the past. Behind them will be former RMFL All Star LB Gary Smith, RMFL All Star selectee LB Matt Christensen, LB Ryan Morrow and LB Kevin Slater Expect players like Larry Jones, Rocky Jann and Danny Franks to also make huge contributions to this stacked LB core.
In the secondary will be FS Kyto Khouangrasvongsay, CB Keoni Barawis and CB Nick Sasich. Expect players like Brandon Hunt, Matt Peterson, and Jeff Horne to also contribute in the secondary. With the new aggressive play calling on defense expect these defensive backs to be on their game all season long.
This defense has always been the bend and not break defense. The one that had to make sure the opponents scored less than their offense. Expect this year to be a little different. As they get more aggressive, expect this defense to have its best year yet. Even if it is just “on paper.”
COACHING/SPECIAL TEAMS
Losing K Bryce Kennington to the AIFA Ogden Knights will definitely hurt, but his replacement isn’t too shabby. Former Viewmont Viking, and Deseret News “Mr. Soccer” K Colton Cook looks to take the reins of the multi-time RMFL All Star. Colton has a strong leg, and awesome accuracy. Colton will be handling the kicking duties for the Shock in 2009, and do not be surprised if Colton’s one of the elite kickers of the whole RMFL. He’s just that good. (Yeah, I said it.)
The coaching staff of the Shock has never been bigger. Helping out with the offense until he is fully recovered is Chris Liddiard, anchoring the defense is Chris Miles, and former RMFL Coach of the Year Jared Emerick takes the reins of the whole staff. Jared, who has been with the team since 2006, will oversee the whole coaching staff of the Utah Shock. Helping out with the line will be Kai Barawis, and also helping out will be assistants Jerry Emerick, JD Young, and Brenton Ing.
Two wins away, two losses to the eventual champs. Everything was aligned in 2008, but they fell short. The Shock only got better, but so did the rest of the league. Where does this leave the Utah Shock now? Only time will tell. The expectations are high, the roster is set, the players are ready.
The championship is our there for anyone. Will it belong to the Shock at the end of June?
Stay tuned..
