Sunrise Mountain football expects best season in school’s brief history

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015 | 1:41 p.m.

It has won three games in the program’s five-year history. It has never been to the playoffs.

Yet, players on the Sunrise Mountain High football team don’t lack confidence. They feel this year will be different — a record amount of wins; a trip to the postseason.

“It all starts with the coaches. They believe, we believe,” said Rayshawn Johnson, the Miners’ senior wide receiver. “We are here to prove a point.”

And, arguably for the first time, Sunrise Mountain has the talent to do just that. While they won just one game last season, and that win came against a team which hasn’t won since 2010, the season still proved beneficial.

Second-year coach Chris Sawyers was able to spark interest in students at the school to join the team. Last season, they had 56 kids in the program. This season, it’s at 140.

Sawyers made sure the players knew he believed in them — as football players, students and people — and that trust has spiked participation numbers. It should result this fall in the best season in school history.

“The second year is always better than the first,” Sawyers said. “Our kids are putting in the work that’s required to be successful. I can’t ask them for anymore than they have done. We are just a better team. We love each other a little more.”

Sunrise Mountain made small strides toward the end of last season, including an overtime loss to playoff-qualifier Boulder City. They were able to score 48 points that game to give players momentum for the offseason.

With quarterback Stephen Wright Jr., Johnson and others leading the offense, Sawyers feels they can produce big plays.

“We have kids who can take it to the house on any given chance,” Sawyers said. “If they get into space, they are gone.”

Defensively, Sunrise Mountain must be improved after surrendering 437 points in nine games last season. They’ll be young at most defensive spots, but have a few players expected to have breakthrough seasons.

Defensive lineman Pookie Farmer passes the eye test at 6 foot 1, 255 pounds and excelled during the Miners’ team camp this summer in Utah. Junior Travis Carpenter at defensive end and sophomore linebacker Dalwin Spates will be key contributors.

“We just started working hard and getting more physical, and do everything we could to be the best team can be,” Wright Jr. said.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21