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Show i Bronco coach looks back at year on the gridiron by Scott Boyle Not every football team can do an "urbanmeyer", which means reaching heights never before reached with a new coach. gram - who really could have? - he didn't garycrowton it either, finishing with a fine 7-- 4 record, an improvement on 2002 when the Broncos were 5-- 6. The University of Utah football team was urbanmeyered this year, earning nine wins (the most ever), an outright conference championship (the first since about 1776), and a shutout of BYU (the first since 1492 or something like that). Of course, being Utah, it is easy to reach heights never reached before, since they've never been very tall in football. Try reaching new heights with San Juan High School football. This is a school with a mighty football resume: seven state championship games in the last 16 years, three championships in 1989, 1998, and The Broncos began with a victory in Coach Lee's first game as head coach, and ended with a loss in the 2A state quarterfinals. In tween, lots of urbanmeyering occurred, I'm sure. Juan program. While he nearly urbanmeyered the pro - August 22 Montezuma Cortez, August 29 - defeat Aztec, N.M., 25-2- Millard, - 5 lost to 39-- 7. 12 - 19 - lost at September 26 - defeat September South Sevier, 20-1- Kanab, Grand, 48-2- 0. 34-1- 4. October Richfield, 38-8- October Sevier, 41-- 3 - defeat . 10 - defeat North 0. October Monticello, 32-2- 14 - lost at 0. October 24 14-1- defeat 3. September ver, 6. 2. September pick. defeat 19-- 2000, three state champion- ship games in the past six years, 133 victories over the last 16 years, and participating in the playoffs for 28 consecutive years. How do you urbanmeyer that? Now you know the task that Coach Monty Lee faced, in his first year as head coach after long assisting in the San be- Player of the year: If I had to choose a player of the year it would be tough: Alika Fisher was solid on both sides of the ball. Chavis Holliday, with his speed, was a threat every time he touched the ball. Kevin Kirk was all over the field, and Garrin Palmer, with his heart, is one I am a much better person for having had the chance to coach. Take your - defeat Bea- 3. November 1 - 2A quarter-finals- , lost at Manti, Coach Lee took some time to reflect on this season and offers the following thoughts: 26-1- 4. Offensive player of the Chavis Holliday would have to be given that honor, although he wouldnt have been as effective without some year: great blocking by his team- mates. Defensive player of the year: Alika Fisher anti Kevin Kirk gave offensive blockers fits all year. Special teams player of the year: Ryan Averett and Jeremy Tate didnt have a bad snap all year on punts and ex- tra points. Jeremy also had some great returns. 5. Worst play of the year: Too many to choose from. I made so many questionable calls just thinking about them is like pouring salt in a wound. 6. Worst refereeing call of the year: The spot after the 4th SAN JUAN HIGH SCHOOL Blue & Gold Excellence Awards THE SAN JUAN RECORD Wednesday, November 26, 2003 - PiKv 13 and 1 against Monticello. That wont sit well with most of your readers, but I see things a little different. It wasnt the call that cost us the game, but if we get that call things could have been a bit more exciting, if that were possible. Best Game of the year: Maybe the Beaver game. We were going through some concerns with the team, coming off a tough loss, with a long break, on Beaver's field, and it was their Senior night. We won. Give credit to the kids and their focus." Newcomer of the year: We had so many. I guess you could consider Garrin a newcomer having never quarter-backea varsity game, or a JY game for that matter. Justin d Meyer really came along well. I am so very proud of those that smelled the field for the first time as a varsity player." Player you hate to see graduate: Most players abilities and skills will be replaced with new kids. Things that are harder to replace are leader- Tj real fathers and mothers happy (well trying', being a marriage counselor (some of these players think they are married), helping emotional young men realize there is life after football, trying not to get too high after a win or too low after a loss, and the paperwork is all tough. I could write a book (a very short hook mind you) about my first year as a head coach. But it all came to a sobering end alter our loss to Manti. ship, positive attituele, and headaches given to the coach. Adam Simpson fits most of had to say good-byto some of my best friends; friends that those. tune of rubbing shoulders with again on a football field; say- really will find it harel to replace him. Manti beating Millard and Juan Diego for the 2A state That is a championship: prime example of how high school football is unpredictable. The team with the best talent doesn't always win. The I team that believes in themselves is never out of a garni. Id like to know if going into overtime with the momentum These students had a combined GPA and CPA (Citizenship Point Average) of 3 5 to 4 0 andor a combined average improvement of 1 0 improvement or higher Best coaching job of the year: Grantsvilles new coach, Les Hamilton, although my assistants did a great job. They are the reason we did as well as we did. Final thoughts: That is a tough request. Most coaches have lots of thoughts but having one that is meaningful is questionable. I have a new appreciation for head coaches Mike Bowring and Art Burtenshaw. Dealing with the day to day distractions of coaching: being a father to 80 boys, keeping 80 better alternative than is a going for the win and losing. Juan Diego went for conversion and the win instead of kick for the tie and overtime with three minutes left in the game. two-poi- one-poi- nt nt I I e will never have the good for- ing farewell to some unbelievable parents who never missed a game and who were so willing to do anything to support their sons; to realize that I have probably coached my last game with some of my assistant coaches. There will be other parents, coaches, seasons, and players but there will always be a special place in my heart for those of my first year as a head coach. Thanks to them, the loyal fans of San Juan High football. Urban Meyer couldn't have said it better. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BRAG MOW GET THE s buy photos of your MHS student athletes taken by San Juan Record photographers Full Color Photos Printed on Photo Paper $7.00 per 8 12x11 sheet $2 from each photo will be donated to the MHS Sports Program . 4 (435) 587-227- 7 49 S. Main Monticello sjmewsfrontlernet.net |