HURRICANE - 2.9 seconds. That has been what has been on the minds of Tiger Army for nearly nine months. That was the time left when the Tigers had a 10-6 lead with one play remaining to secure the first 11-man football title in Hurricane history. It was 2.9 seconds when Juan Diego QB Cody Stevenson seemed to have an eternity to throw the ball and finally found Bruce Nix in the South-East corner of the endzone and the Soaring Eagle won their second consecutive 3A state title at Hurricane’s door.

Coach Chris Homer told the Deseret News, “There’s a few things in my head. It’s like ‘Why, why, why?’ Did I do all the right things. There’s always things you could’ve changed and wish you’d done different,” said the Hurricane coach. “As far as our football program is concerned, we still were there. We still played our guts out, and were basically 2.9 seconds away from achieving what we wanted to, but it didn’t happen. But that didn’t take away from the accomplishment.”

The Tigers have a difficult challenge ahead of them concerning the past two runner-up finishes. They certainly can dwell on the 2009 finish as motivation for this season or it could jinx them that they can’t get over the hump. That bitter taste has likely been the driving force for every weight-lifting session, every camp, every triple-digit temperature practice since November 20, 2009.

Hurricane comes into the season with many similarities, both good and bad as they did in 2009. One, a Long at QB. This time Adam takes over the reigns for older brother Tim, who will be leaving for an LDS mission to Spain soon. Adam, who got varsity time throughout the year and even for a series in the Juan Diego game, has a solid combination of a strong, accurate arm as well as the quickness to take off out of the pocket to run for yardage.  Long also packs around a high football IQ that will minimize mistakes and the confidence to lead a team in crunch time.

Backing up long is junior Taylor Parker, who started as a sophomore on defense and would not miss a beat if called upon. In the backfield are two lethal weapons, Robert Reeve and Jarom Healey. Both backs ran for over 700 yards while fighting off injuries in their junior season. Both have breakaway speed and are outstanding near the end zone. Healey perhaps is a bit more explosive and powerful than Reeve, but Reeve more versatile and better in the open field. Junior Brian Scott will provide a powerful running game as well.

The offensive line is quite inexperienced as it was in 2009, but the talent they have will more than compensate from lack of varisty snaps. Senior Daniel ‘Goma’ Nielson is the diamond of this group. The 6′6″ Nielson has already recorded state titles in wrestling and track is an immovable force for any opponent. He weighs over 3 spins and has verbally commited to the University of Utah following the season. He will play on both sides of the ball. Eric Canfield also will be a major factor in the trenches.

Perhaps the most valuable player for the Tigers this season will come from senior kicker Corey Edwards. Certainly the best kicker in the state in 2009, Edwards converted on 57 of 57 extra points and made kickoffs a moot point, kicking the ball into the endzone 83% of the time, including the last 27 in a row. He keeps the Tigers in every game with his accurate leg and starts the defense in great position each time. Edwards has verbally told BYU he will join them following high school.

Defense has always been a mainstay under Homer. This season should be no different. With a pair of linebackers in Taylor Frost and Josh Bulloch, Hurricane should be one of the leaders in the state in point differential. Parker, Healey and Long will all play either safety or corner, with tremendous athletic prowess to not only intercept the ball, but take it back to the house as opportunities present.

Hurricane has a difficult road schedule this year with games at Delta, Snow Canyon and Pine View. Both SC and PV have circled their dates against Hurricane with revenge on their minds, following dramatic losses to Hurricane in ‘09. The Tigers are also looking closely at October 8th when they play Desert Hills, which will likely be the Region 9 contender for top seed. Hurricane lost to the Thunder 27-20 last year.

Prediction: The Tigers could be strong enough to win Region 9, but no question will be in the playoffs and should enjoy two home playoff games before tearing up their current field for a new one in ‘11. Desert Hills is going to give them everything they hope for in Region 9 and get the region crown, but Hurricane will advance further in the playoffs than the Thunder.

Here is a look at the defending Region 9 Champion Hurricane Tigers football schedule

• August 20          Skyline
• August 27          at Delta
• September 3      Moapa Valley
• September 10    Dixie
• September 17    at Snow Canyon
• September 24    at Pine View
• October 1          at Tooele
• October 8          Desert Hills
• October 14        Canyon View
• October 21        at Cedar
• October 29        Inter-Region Playoffs
• November 5       Quarter-Final Playoffs
• November 12     Semi-Final games (UofU)
• November 19     State Final (UofU)

Click here to see the stats for the 57-29 Tiger win over Canyon View

HURRICANE - Size, talent, experience, skill. That is what Hurricane had going for them against the one-win Canyon View team Wednesday night as Hurricane got scoring from 11 different players enroute to a 57-29 win.

Tyler HInton and Jaden Seely each had 11 points in the Tiger win. Seely had most of his points in the first half, while Hinton dominated the third quarter to put the game away. Sophomore center Boston Gubler came off the bench and scored eight for the Tigers.

Canyon View was led by Sterling Anderson with 10 points

Interview with Hurricane Coach Gordon Dotson and senior Tyler Hinton

photo courtesy of the Spectrum

Getting to know Tim Long, the senior signal caller for the Tigers.

TUP - How did I select my jersey number?  Long - My older brother (Mike) wore it

TUP - I like football because…     Long - It’s fun and I’ve been playing my whole life

TUP - Favorite Coach quote…      Long - “Hold the rope”  Coach Homer

TUP - Something about me few people know  Long - There are eight kids in my family

TUP -Most valuable possession?  Long - State ring for track (2009 state champions)

TUP - Most famous person I’ve met?  Long - Thomas S. Monson

Watered down 3A makes for very predictable playoff outcomes. It is not likely you can head over to Wendover and find any point spreads on Utah High School sports, but if you could, you can look here for the first round game-by-game prediction that at least, you can win a crappy t-shirt from a Salt Lake newspaper. You are welcome.

Morgan vs. Emery. Trojans much better than Emery. Morgan 38, Emery 6

Hurricane vs. ALA. ALA will not score as many points as they do letters in their abbreviation. Hurricane healthy and ready. Tigers 38, ALA 0

Park City vs. Grantsville. Why does Region 11 have five teams in the dance? PC plays another weak team and wins easily 44-2

Delta vs. Judge Memorial.  Rabbits take advantage of home game and conclude JM season 24-20

Wasatch vs. Desert Hills. Wasatch has done nothing to impress TUP with cupcake schedule. DH rolls with momentum in beating Hurricane. Upset special, DH 14, Wasps 10

Manti vs. Bear River.  Two teams that are very poor. Manti has not beat a good team all year and lost to ALA in season opener. BR a poor team from a poor Region. Doesn’t matter who wins their only playoff game. Templars 3-0

Juan Diego vs. Juab. Soaring Eagle fly past Juab in their cakewalk to finals 49-3

Micah has been a two year starter for the TIgers at linebacker. He is back in the lineup after fighting off injuries earlier this season. Micah is also on the Executive Council at school

Presten has been one of the leading tacklers this year for the Tigers. Beatty, despite being an offensive lineman, is one of the fastest players on the team, helping lead Hurricane to a state title in track in 2009