One of the storylines swirling Friday’s 6A semifinal battle between perennial powerhouse Corner Canyon and the on-the-rise Mountain Ridge is a good-natured question of allegiances: Which team will Canyons Superintendent Dr. Rick Robins be cheering for during the 11 a.m. battle at the University of Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Will Dr. Robins, a Hall of Fame quarterback for Southern Utah University, be cheering for the Chargers in the playoffs? Or will he be donning the colors of the Sentinels, the team coached by his son, Nick?
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Episode Transcript
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SPEAKER_00 (00:01):
Welcome to Connect Canyons, a podcast sponsored by
Canyon School District.
This is a show about what weteach, how we teach, and why.
We get up close and personalwith some of the people who make
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(00:21):
Learning is about makingconnections.
So connect with us.
SPEAKER_02 (00:25):
This is Superintendent Rick Robbins, and
welcome to our Canyons podcast.
This morning it's November the12th.
And super excited to kick offthis week with the 5A and 6A
state football playoffs at RiceEccles Stadium.
And I've got two very specialguests here with us today to
(00:46):
preview the 6A semifinals thisFriday.
We've got Coach Eric Kerr fromCorner Canyon High School.
And we also have Nick Robbins,the head coach at Mountain Ridge
High School.
And I just want to point out acouple of things before we get
started and got some questionsfor both of them.
Also in the 5A semifinals,Canyon School District's
(01:08):
involved, we've got BrightonBangles will be taking on
Springville High this Thursdayin that 5A semifinal.
So I want to congratulate CoachSotera and the Bengals.
As you know, Coach Sotera alsowas the D coordinator with Coach
Kerr over at Corner Canyon, sowe want to congratulate him and
the Bangles as they take on theRed Devils, which I happen to be
(01:28):
a former principal atSpringville High.
So we have all kinds of ties inthe playoffs of this weekend.
And just want to point outreally appreciate both of these
coaches joining us.
I think two of the best in thestate.
And you know, every once in awhile there's these moments in
sports that transcend the game.
And I think this week is one ofthose.
(01:50):
And I'm speaking selfishly.
It's an interesting storylinebeing the superintendent in
Canyon School District, where uhCorner Canyon High School is,
but also being a very proudfather uh of Nick, Robinson head
coach at Mountain Ridge.
And just two uh amazing coachesand stories.
Coach Kerr's coming into thegame.
(02:10):
I believe this is our eighthstraight visit to the semifinals
at Rice Eccles.
Corner Canyon's coming in at 11and 1, and also Mountain Ridge
comes in as region champions forthe first time, also at 10 and
2.
And so lots of people are askingme, you know, what's that gonna
be like for you, Rick, onFriday?
(02:31):
And I'm just so humbled andinspired by both of these guys
and all that they've done intheir football careers in their
respective schools.
And so for me, I think Fridayreally does kind of transcend
the game.
It's one of those moments inhistory that you know me and my
family will certainly remember,and it's bittersweet.
One team has to win, one teamhas to lose.
(02:52):
Uh, but there's nobody that's uhmore proud than me of both of
these programs uh as we go intothe semifinal.
So just want to start out uh forboth of you guys.
We know how hard it is uh to getuh to the rug.
You you always taught hearcoaches talk about getting to
the rug and getting to thatsemifinal matchup.
Only four teams in 4A, 5A, 6A uhever make it.
(03:16):
And I was talking with Nickabout this just a few days ago.
There's so many schools andcoaches, including myself as a
head coach, that never got toexperience that, that never
never even got close to it.
And so I just want you to take amoment, we'll start with you,
Coach Kerr, to just reflect alittle bit on what it means for
your program and the communityand Corner Canyon High to get to
(03:38):
this semifinal matchup.
I also just want to give a shoutout and thank you to both of
your administrations, PrincipalKohler there at Corner Canyon,
and Principal Bartholomew atMountain Ridge.
I mean, it it takes full supportfrom everybody involved to make
it happen, but just reflect onthe impact and what it means to
get to Rice Eccle Stadium foryour program in the school.
SPEAKER_03 (04:00):
Yeah, and we talked a little bit after our game when
I talked to our team about that,and just not take it for
granted.
Like it's something that youhave to really maybe just take a
moment and recognize like whatit's taken to get there and
appreciate that.
Like it's a lot of effort.
The kids have put in a ton oftime, not just throughout the
(04:21):
year, but in the off-season,along with parents, along with
our community, along with our,like you said, our
administration, people aroundus.
It's a team effort, and it takesa lot to try to get there, and
to be able to do it is a bigaccomplishment that you want
your kids to appreciate and beable to take that step back when
that does happen and appreciatethose moments because, like you
(04:41):
said, it doesn't happen veryoften.
I was a part of some teams as ahead coach that where we didn't
make it or where we lost in thefirst round or second round and
haven't been able to quite getthere for multiple years, and
same with when I was anassistant.
So I think you have to takethose times and and really just
appreciate it.
And just it's a lot of effort,it's a lot of work, there's a
lot that goes into it.
So it's a good, I mean, that's areally good point just by you to
(05:04):
kind of reflect on some ofthose.
I think sometimes as coaches, weare so quick to move on to the
next thing.
Oh, we got to do this now, wegot to do this.
I think sometimes in football ascoaches, we don't do that
enough, or we pause, reflect alittle bit, and appreciate some
of the things that have taken usto get there.
And even maybe some of theyears, you know, you hear
coaches that are out of it nowthat you know wish they could be
(05:26):
back in it, you know, that theywere coaching.
And I think as a coach,sometimes to reflect that and
appreciate that you're in itright now and that this is what
you get to be and be morepresent while you're here, I
think it's awesome.
SPEAKER_02 (05:36):
Hey, Coach Robbins, just reflect on a little bit.
I cannot imagine what thatexcitement's gotta be like at
Mountain Ridge high this week.
First time at the rug, I'm sureyou know your student body's
gonna show up just like CornerCanyon and just enjoy the
moment.
But what's it gotta be like inthe halls at Mountain Ridge this
week as you gear up to take onCorner Canyon?
SPEAKER_01 (05:59):
Yeah, like Coach Kerr said, I think it's really
easy to forget that you know wehave like earned this moment,
you know what I mean?
And what I didn't realize is howbig of an impact it has on not
only the football team, but likethe drill team, the chair team,
the students that want to getout of school to go to the game.
It's kind of cool to see thesekids being excited for something
(06:20):
at school, you know, becausethere's a lot of things that
they're not excited aboutschool, and yeah, we're just
we're excited to be here.
And I know Coach Kerr's afrequent visitor of Rice Eccles
Stadium, but we're excited, soit just impacts so many students
and families and community.
SPEAKER_02 (06:38):
You know, I totally believe on Friday morning both
Harriman and Draper will becompletely ghost towns because
everybody in those communitieswill show up over at Rice Eccles
to support their teams.
It's one of those things, too,that it just makes high school
great.
Football, you know, really isthe front porch to the start of
the school year, and so I Ithink for both your student
(06:59):
bodies and your communities,this will just be a great day to
be had by all.
So just to build on that alittle bit, and Coach Robbins,
we'll start with you, but talk alittle bit about your season
just in perspective, you know,maybe some of the highs and lows
that you've had this yearthrough adversity and whatnot.
And then just for both of you,talk a little bit about the
(07:20):
state of high school football inUtah.
I mean, as I look at 6Afootball, I I mean it's death
row.
You got Sky Ridge and Davis andLone Peak and AF and Lehigh and
Harriman, and that's just offthe top of my head, right?
The list goes on, but over theyears for me anyway, like the
level of talent in our state inhigh school football, maybe just
(07:41):
speak to your season and whatthat's been like.
I just this morning I waslooking at next year's top
recruits that are coming out ofthe state of Utah, and I mean
the list goes on BYU, Utah, USC,Texas AM, which both of you have
you know multiple players aregonna play at the next level.
But uh, it's just been soimpressive to see high school
football in Utah elevate towhere it is and the level of
(08:04):
play that that you guys areinvolved in.
So maybe talk about your seasonand Utah high school football.
SPEAKER_01 (08:10):
When I got the job, I wanted to make an emphasis
that we wanted to play a youknow pretty tough preseason.
I'm a big believer in gettingyourself ready.
I think that if you play a youknow pretty easy preseason where
you're playing teams that youknow you're gonna beat, it never
doesn't get you ready for thoseplayoff moments where like you
have that adversity and you gotto battle back, or you know,
(08:31):
we're gonna end up running intoa region three team at some
point in the playoffs.
And if you don't experience thatand feel that where you know
there's a lot of talent on thefield, then for us at least it's
gonna negatively impact youlater on in the season.
And so, you know, early on wetook our lumps, you know,
Skyards got us.
We were able to beat Lehigh, andthen Davis got us as well.
(08:52):
So we went one and two to startthe year, and I feel like those
three games really helped us andkind of like it really gave us a
gauge, like, okay, this is wherewe're at, we've got to get
better at these things, we gottabe able to do this, this, this,
to, you know, be able to competewith those teams.
And then I'm I'm really proud ofhow we, you know, you can't
really control who's your inyour region, but I'm really
(09:13):
proud of the way that our guys,you know, came in week in and
week out and competed every weekwith our region, and we ended up
winning the region.
I'm just excited that and Ithink it worked out.
I think it worked out where withthe with the tougher schedule
early on, I think it helped usout later on in the year because
we played Riverton in the firstround and our quarterback got
(09:33):
knocked out, and we scored twotouchdowns on defense.
So, you know, these kids areresilient, and if they didn't
have that adversity early on, Ithink it would have backfired on
us.
SPEAKER_02 (09:46):
So yeah, I've seen that, I've watched both of your
teams play this year, and Ithink one thing that really
stands out to me is just thelevel of toughness.
I mean, both of your teams uhreally excel at hitting and
playing tough and playingphysical football.
So, you know, I I think that's atribute to both of you and just
the cultures that that you'rebuilding.
(10:06):
So, Coach Kerr.
SPEAKER_03 (10:08):
Yeah, season-wise, we try to do the same thing.
We scheduled a team out ofFlorida.
Some of that was because it justgets tough to schedule sometimes
when we were looking for somegood quality opponents, and they
were a good team.
And then we just faced someadversity like flight-wise, game
time-wise, lightning delays,like a ton of stuff there.
But I was proud of the way ourkids worked through that.
And then playing Liberty out ofArizona, who's got a great
(10:30):
defense, was really good for usto work through.
And then we had a big setback,right?
We didn't play well against LonePeak, and they got a really good
football team too.
And you know, we didn't takecare of the ball, and I think it
kind of took our kids back alittle bit, made them focus a
little bit more on just theday-to-day operations of what
we're doing, and then also justkind of making sure that they're
(10:51):
ready to play each week and kindof got going again through our
region, especially through theafter that first game.
I think our kids have beenpretty well locked in and have
done a good job improvingthroughout the year and just
getting better and acceptinglike our process of what we're
doing.
But uh, you know, like coachsaid, it I mean, you got to go
through some adversity and sometough stuff.
Playing good schedules, I think,is the key, especially early to
(11:13):
help get your team ready to go,playoff time.
And we were excited to get backinto region three and felt like
that's always been good for uswhen we were in it before, and
then we jumped out of it for acouple years.
But we did similarly, like whenwe were in another region, we
played a lot of those teams justlike you did early, right?
Two of the top or three of thetop teams in the state through
their schedule, which I think ishuge.
(11:34):
I think it prepares your kids,even though you know your kids
don't see it at that time, theygrow so fast from those
situations.
It you have to put them intosome tough spots to get them to
improve and get better.
And they'll appreciate.
I mean, that's I think CoachLeach used to always say that
like you don't get better bystuff being easy, you get better
and it's more fun through hardthings to prepare your kids.
SPEAKER_02 (11:55):
I really appreciate what what you guys do, and and
Coach Kerr talking about theprocess.
Uh, you know, I watch your teamsearly in the summer, and you
hear coaches say that all thetime that you don't win
championships in June and July,but but it's necessary, right?
You gotta put the work in, andand I think that teaches our
kids, you know, a great lessonjust about resiliency and
(12:16):
perseverance and anything thatyou want to achieve, you have to
put the work in.
It's not just gonna get handedto you.
And I think that's probably oneof the great values of this game
that that we love so much.
This Thursday's the semifinalsin the other bracket, Skyridge
will be taking on Lone Peak, soyou both have common opponents
there, and then the championshipwill be next Thursday, November
(12:37):
20th, also at 11 a.m.
at Rice Eccles.
So I want to just kind of wrapup, talk a little bit about the
game and just a few of yourplayers.
I think it starts off for bothof you uh with the quarterback
uh position and looking at uhHelam and Kasuga and Jackson
Hunt, I think two of the bestquarterbacks in the state, uh
both with yards close to 4,000yards passing, both over 30 uh
(12:59):
plus touchdowns, uh both have uhamazing weapons on the mountain
ridge aside, uh Titan DeJong,Graydon Dumas, you know,
multiple yards and touchdowns,also Cohen Cunningham, and then
on the Corner Canyon aside,Jason Mayberry, Kai Mesa,
obviously a great year, recentcalcomit, Lucas Jackson also,
(13:20):
and then in the running game,Zach Ofisa, Weston Briggs, and
Jackson Cruz.
I mean, these guys have put upbig numbers, but it starts with
the quarterback position, bothbetween 65 and 70 percent, the
completion percentage.
Obviously, we know Heelman'scommitted to Texas AM, Jackson
is just a junior.
So I I know football fans likeme are super excited to watch
(13:40):
these guys get after it onThursday, but maybe talk a
little bit about your offensesand then you know, kind of the
unsung heroes or those offensivelinemen in the trenches.
I've watched both your teams,they're both big, they're both
physical, they're both gonnabring it this Friday.
So maybe speak to a little bitabout your your offensive game
preparation and some keys to thegame there.
Coach Robbins, we'll start withyou, yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (14:02):
All right.
Um, first of all, I want to Iwant to praise Coach Kerron.
I'm a big, you know, I look atstats and stuff, and I think you
guys are averaging what 25 yardsper attempt on your is that what
it is?
SPEAKER_03 (14:17):
Per completion, but not attempt were right around
like 13.
We try to be like in between 11and 14 on attempt.
SPEAKER_01 (14:26):
And that's great.
Like I have that's um, yeah.
Uh as far as our quarterbackgoes, he went through the ringer
this last offseason.
When I got here, they had aprevious starter who uh who had
started the previous two years,and when I got here, I just said
like nobody's job is safe.
Nobody, like you're gonna haveto earn it.
And um time and time again,Jackson Hunt always, you know,
(14:51):
because you want your guy, youyou want your quarterback to be
the guy that like says, heyguys, we're throwing it this
this time, hey guys, hey, youknow, hey coach, can I come in
and watch some more film?
Because we're we're installing anew offense.
Time and time again, JacksonHunt was always that guy, and
you know, and ended upseparating himself to where, you
know, late into July, I waslike, this is our guy.
(15:15):
And uh, even though he hadn'tstarted, and so, you know, and I
made that tough decision, andthe other guy ended up leaving,
which is whatever, but um I justyou know really want to praise
him because he completely earnedwhat he has.
Everything, you know, and I Ireally believe that, you know,
(15:36):
I'm I'm gonna use him as anexample for future players that
I have because it wasn't alwayseasy for him.
Like early on in the summer, youknow, like I don't know if you
remember in the seven-on-seven,I was going three to one reps,
and he was getting the one rep.
And he never he never flinched,he never said, Coach, what are
we gonna do?
blah, blah, blah, blah.
(15:57):
He just showed up over and overand over.
And then we voted for captains,and he was overwhelmingly the
favorite.
I mean, everybody voted forJackson Hunt as captain, and
that was kind of the you know,the clear message to me.
He's been awesome.
SPEAKER_02 (16:14):
Yeah, uh, and I just would comment on that too, Nick.
You know, what I've seen withwith Jackson and uh again as
well with Heleman, both greatleaders.
I mean, tough as nails, but youjust see their control in the
huddle on the field and therespect that they gain from
their teammates.
So definitely lessons learned.
And I might mention, Coach Kerr,before we turn it over to you on
(16:34):
offense, both Jackson andHeleman can run the ball.
I I don't think people give themenough credit, but they're
they're both 300-plus yardrushers, besides the fact.
So just you know, greatathletes.
So, Coach Kerr.
SPEAKER_03 (16:46):
Yeah, I mean, I think we try to sometimes not
run them to try to protect thema little bit too.
Like we've tried to be a littlemore careful.
We you know, he he went downwith an injury last year, so
we've tried to be kind of alittle more smart with him and
rely on our running backs.
We have some good ones thatwe've tried to use a little bit
more, but yeah, the just CoachRobbins has done a great job
with the hunt kid.
(17:06):
It's it you know, just watchinghim in film and like really I
mean, we didn't really knowabout him going into the year
because they had their other kidback who had been a two-year
starter, and just his likedevelopment and how well he's
played, and he just seems likehe's got super like he's just
calm, good poised, stares downpressure and delivers some good
(17:26):
balls and has a good command oftheir offense.
He's been fun to see just hisdevelopment and put up crazy
numbers this year and gettingthe ball into some guys' good
hands, like number four forthem, the Cunningham Kids,
electric, you know, especiallywhen he gets the ball in his
hands.
But just he reminds me of acouple of our undersized guys,
like back at Jordan High Daysthat put up huge numbers, they
(17:49):
were just tough as nails, likechange direction guys, go up and
attack football is justcompetitive as heck.
It was he reminds me a lot ofthose guys.
He's been like just one on thefilm where you're like, uh-oh,
you gotta, you know, make sureyou're prepared and understand
the type of player he is.
And then Heelman's just beenawesome for us, just a really
good leader, been super steadyin his preparation and his
(18:10):
approach to the game, and evenjust his calmness in the game, I
think, is always really good.
Especially I'm a little bitfiery as a coach, so sometimes,
you know, I he reminds me whereI got to keep my emotions down a
little bit with him because he'sjust so calm and does such a
good job and uh trying to learnand help our team and encourage
our guys around him.
And we had a little bit of aunique situation where we won it
(18:33):
last year with a kid who wasback this year as well.
And so we've tried to do alittle bit where we get them
both reps and just to see themsupport each other as much as
they do has been crazy andawesome to have that from both
quarterbacks and both greatleaders, both are captains of
our team, believe they were bothvoted by their peers, and then
the guys around them, too.
Like our receivers have done areally good job.
(18:54):
They've worked their butts offon trying to get better each
week.
We got a good receivers coach,AJ, that does a tremendous job
getting those guys ready.
And then our line's been greatup front with our two tackles or
returning guys from last year,Eason Taffa is our left tackle,
and then Will Chandler's ourright tackle, been doing a
really good job and working hardand not missing practice and
(19:15):
showing up every day, not youknow, even though they're dinged
up a little bit, you know, wheresome guys will try to sit out,
they fight through that, theirprocess has been really good.
Along with, you know, RobbieWhalen, our interior guy, and
our right guard, Jack West, andour left guard Overstreet and
Micah, those guys have all justthat you can't give your line
enough praise.
Those guys have done a greatjob.
(19:35):
And then defensively, I love theway our guys are working over
there across the board, and ourdefensive coaches preparing
them.
It's just fun to see.
That's the great part aboutfootball.
It's so much.
Like Coach knows, like, you gotto do so much, you know, put
everything together, and likethat's why I think it's such a
special game, and this footballteams are so close and coaches
are so close.
SPEAKER_02 (19:55):
I just mentioned you mentioned defense coach, uh
Mason Wood, Jaden Pierce, TPatterson, I mean some of the
standouts this year.
I mean, really making plays andand racking up tackles, and
especially for loss.
And on the Mountain Ridge side,uh Cutler Whitaker, uh Cole
Ulave, whose father happens tobe an assistant principal.
Yeah, he's a good one.
In uh Alta High, so there's aconnection there.
(20:17):
And then also BridgetButterfield on on the Mountain
Ridge side, on the Sentinelside.
So maybe uh Coach Robbins, maybeyou want to speak a little bit
to defense too.
And and I think we, you know,we're always talking about all
three phases of the game.
Um I think when we get this latein in the year, as we've seen in
years past, the kicking game,especially, can really be a big
part of the outcome, especiallywhen the weather gets a little
(20:39):
bit crazy.
Coach Robbins, a little bit onthe defensive side, if you want
to talk about that, and thenwe'll we'll wrap things up here.
SPEAKER_01 (20:45):
Our defensive coordinator of Jackson Peck, um,
he's he's done a phenomenal job.
I didn't I didn't know himbefore, and he had just sent me
an email, and it was funnybecause in his email, uh like
the what's the header orwhatever, it says defensive
coordinator job, and then helike puts in parentheses, I am
(21:06):
not Dave Peck's son.
Um it's just funny.
Yeah, he did.
Uh so yeah, we got him, and thenwe got the we got the Matagi
brothers here.
Um uh Ev Matagi, I know CoachKerr knows him.
Yeah, absolutely.
Um they've done a tremendousjob.
We would not be here without ourdefense.
(21:26):
I mean, we beat Lehigh 9-7.
Yeah.
Again, the Riverton game, youknow, our defense scores three
times and we win by 14 points.
And there's been games wherethey just get those crucial
stops when we need them, youknow what I mean?
And they've ended the game forus many a times, and I just
can't praise them enough fortheir preparation.
(21:46):
And then it's funny because ourour defensive coordinator posted
on Twitter, I don't know if yousaw that, Coach Kerr.
Um, because the Weaver State jobopen.
Oh, yeah.
We were laughing about that.
SPEAKER_03 (22:01):
That was pretty funny actually by him.
I was laughing.
SPEAKER_01 (22:05):
So, you know, we have that's great.
Ultimate respect for youroffense, Coach, and and your
defense, too.
It's been uh interestingwatching film on your defense.
You guys got a lot of dudes, andyour deep defensive coordinator
does a good job, you know,mixing it up and you know, with
the those different type ofcoverages, it's gonna be a it's
gonna be a challenge, but uh,we're excited.
So, yeah, defense.
(22:25):
If we're if we I'm literally notsitting here if we don't have a
good defense, so all the propsto those guys.
SPEAKER_02 (22:32):
Yeah, I look at you know, both of your outputs,
corner well over 50 points pergame uh on offense and Mountain
Ridge well over 35 points pergame, but but you're both stout
on defense.
Corner can and holding teamsdefensively under 13 per game
and Mountain Ridge under 20.
So both of you are gonna comeinto the game you know stacked
and well prepared.
I I think it does, you know, italways comes down to just a few
(22:54):
of those keys with turnovers andand what happens in the
trenches, and then a few bigplays here or there usually make
the difference, and sometimesthat's in the kicking game, as
we've seen at Rice EcclesStadium.
So any last comments on just onkeys to the game, and then we'll
finish up.
SPEAKER_03 (23:10):
Yeah, I mean, I think like coach had talked
about, I think you know,defensively, I don't think you
get here unless you're good ondefense anywhere across the
board.
I think like our guys, ourdefensive guy does a great job,
Coach Gardner, and then ourdefensive personnel like does a
really good job, and it's thesame with them.
Like they're they're two insidebackers, love to fly around,
their outside backers flyaround, they got some good
(23:31):
D-linemen.
Number 99 is really good forthem.
So I think you just get herebecause of that, like those type
of defenses.
Their coach, Coach Peck does agreat job.
He's mixing coverages, and andthey've done well.
Like you could see in theirgames, like they've held people
down, like they held a goodLehigh team, which offensively
is super talented.
I mean, to nothing, really.
I mean, it and then theirRiverton game was crazy just to
(23:52):
see how many turnovers theycreated, and they did a great
job creating those.
And their guys, you know, fly tothe ball and play with reckless
abandon.
So I think being able to controlthat's gonna be a big key for
us.
And then obviously just takingcare of the football is huge.
I think that's and coach willprobably say the same thing
because it's the one stat thathonestly matters is just you
have to control your turn, theturnover game, and you have to
(24:15):
try to win that turnover gameand just and take care of the
football.
That's really the one key.
I mean, I ever we all talk abouteverything else, but it's really
the one thing that matters morethan anything else.
SPEAKER_02 (24:24):
Yeah, you're you're relying on 16 and 17-year-olds.
Exactly.
Taking chances.
All right, Coach Robbins, keysto the game.
SPEAKER_01 (24:32):
Yeah, I think Coach Garrett hit it on the head with
taking care of the ball.
That that Riverton game, ourdefense created turnovers, and
our offense created turnovers.
Yeah.
So we're lucky to get out ofthat one.
I think for us, you know, beingable to, I mean, Corner Canyon's
a physical team.
We've all we always talk abouthere like matching physicality
and being able to not let teamslean on us, and that and we'll
(24:54):
we'll hang our hat on that.
We want to stop the run,obviously, and they got a great
offense as far as throwing theball everywhere.
So, you know, it's just it'sgonna be a great challenge, and
you know, we're we're just youknow, I feel like we're the team
that doesn't have anything tolose, so we're gonna play loose
and be who we are, and we'llhang our hat on that.
So, but much respect to you,coach.
SPEAKER_03 (25:13):
And to you, coach.
Yeah, it's been awesome to seewhat you guys have done in your
first year.
It's it's crazy.
Big congrats to you.
SPEAKER_01 (25:19):
Appreciate it.
But yeah, you guys are thestandard, and we want to match
that.
So um, yeah, appreciate you.
SPEAKER_02 (25:26):
So just to wrap it up, I got one final question for
you.
And I know you guys are youwe're all in this business for
young people and trying to buildup a new generation of kids to
to take over our country andlead our nation, and you're both
leaders of young men and you'rebuilding them into that.
But if you want to share a finalmessage with our student
(25:47):
athletes, and it doesn't have tobe football players, this is any
of our kids in in in either ofour schools or districts, but
just talk a little bit about theimpact the activities and
football has had on your lifeand your family and the benefit,
and just some advice that youmight give, you know, young
people out there.
I mean, there's so much goingon, and so many of our kids are
struggling with lots ofdifferent issues.
(26:10):
But to me, that's one as youmentioned, Coach Kerr, I mean,
that's and Coach Robbins, Imean, that's kind of one of the
beauties of of activities andand not just football but but
sports in general or or whateverit is, whether they want to get
involved in the band or or thisor that.
But what's a message that youmight share about the impact on
your life and your family thatmight be helpful to a young
(26:30):
person out there that'slistening to us today?
Coach Kerr.
SPEAKER_03 (26:35):
Um an opportunity to work with kids and help them in
different ways besides just thefootball scope, or I think any
activity where you get anopportunity where kids are
struggling, especially you seemore with mental health, which
is a close one for me throughyou know, myself, my family, and
other people around me has beensomething that has been a focus
for me and to work through someof those things with some kids
(26:58):
that are struggling and need alittle bit of help and you know,
something beyond the game whereI can help some of these
students out differently,besides just from an athletic
standpoint.
And then I think activities tiedin with that, help them a ton
with that, gives them something,gives them a purpose, something
to maybe concentrate on that'sbeyond, you know, maybe their
(27:19):
own struggles, and then theylearn some tough things by maybe
persevering through some ofthose hard things that they deal
with from either that sport orfrom that activity.
You know what I mean?
You have to, if you don't earn astarting job, what's your
response to that?
Do you keep getting up, do youkeep working hard, do you keep
trying to you know push throughand try to get better?
So I think that that's helped aton, and and something that's
(27:39):
been great for me and for myfamily, and and then being able
to have my own kids that I'vebeen able to coach and push
through some of those toughtimes and adversity too.
SPEAKER_01 (27:51):
He was stating exactly what I would say.
I think that our principal BradyBartholomew, he always talks
about whether we're in sports orjust like in the classroom,
we're dealing with everybody,like everybody's prize
possession, their children, youknow, and everybody has that
much value to their parents, andI think we can, as educators and
(28:14):
coaches, match that and makekids feel like they're wanted,
that they're welcome, and youknow, it goes a long way.
And I think the game of footballdoes that for kids because you
become a part of somethingbigger than yourself.
SPEAKER_02 (28:30):
Thanking both of you for being here today.
This has been you know reallyspecial for me for selfish
reasons as well, just to be tobe superintendent here in
Canyons, but also father to agreat head coach and rising star
in the profession, Nick Robbinsover at Mountain Ridge.
And as I said, very excited tobe part of this kind of this
(28:52):
historic moment on Friday.
I don't know that this happensthat often.
Hope you all out there that arelistening will join us Friday at
11 a.m.
at Rice Eccle Stadium for thisTitanic clash between Mountain
Ridge Sentinels and CornerCanyon Chargers in the 6A State
semifinals.
So thanks for joining us todayon our podcast.
SPEAKER_00 (29:12):
Thanks for listening to this episode of Connect
Canyons.
Connect with us on Twitter,Facebook, or Instagram at
Canyons District or on ourwebsite, CanyonsDistrict.org.
Welcome to Connect Canyons, a podcast sponsored by
Canyon School District.
This is a show about what weteach, how we teach, and why.
We get up close and personalwith some of the people who make
our schools great.
Students, teachers, principals,parents, and more.
We meet national experts too.
(00:21):
Learning is about makingconnections.
So connect with us.
SPEAKER_02 (00:25):
This is Superintendent Rick Robbins, and
welcome to our Canyons podcast.
This morning it's November the12th.
And super excited to kick offthis week with the 5A and 6A
state football playoffs at RiceEccles Stadium.
And I've got two very specialguests here with us today to
(00:46):
preview the 6A semifinals thisFriday.
We've got Coach Eric Kerr fromCorner Canyon High School.
And we also have Nick Robbins,the head coach at Mountain Ridge
High School.
And I just want to point out acouple of things before we get
started and got some questionsfor both of them.
Also in the 5A semifinals,Canyon School District's
(01:08):
involved, we've got BrightonBangles will be taking on
Springville High this Thursdayin that 5A semifinal.
So I want to congratulate CoachSotera and the Bengals.
As you know, Coach Sotera alsowas the D coordinator with Coach
Kerr over at Corner Canyon, sowe want to congratulate him and
the Bangles as they take on theRed Devils, which I happen to be
(01:28):
a former principal atSpringville High.
So we have all kinds of ties inthe playoffs of this weekend.
And just want to point outreally appreciate both of these
coaches joining us.
I think two of the best in thestate.
And you know, every once in awhile there's these moments in
sports that transcend the game.
And I think this week is one ofthose.
(01:50):
And I'm speaking selfishly.
It's an interesting storylinebeing the superintendent in
Canyon School District, where uhCorner Canyon High School is,
but also being a very proudfather uh of Nick, Robinson head
coach at Mountain Ridge.
And just two uh amazing coachesand stories.
Coach Kerr's coming into thegame.
(02:10):
I believe this is our eighthstraight visit to the semifinals
at Rice Eccles.
Corner Canyon's coming in at 11and 1, and also Mountain Ridge
comes in as region champions forthe first time, also at 10 and
2.
And so lots of people are askingme, you know, what's that gonna
be like for you, Rick, onFriday?
(02:31):
And I'm just so humbled andinspired by both of these guys
and all that they've done intheir football careers in their
respective schools.
And so for me, I think Fridayreally does kind of transcend
the game.
It's one of those moments inhistory that you know me and my
family will certainly remember,and it's bittersweet.
One team has to win, one teamhas to lose.
(02:52):
Uh, but there's nobody that's uhmore proud than me of both of
these programs uh as we go intothe semifinal.
So just want to start out uh forboth of you guys.
We know how hard it is uh to getuh to the rug.
You you always taught hearcoaches talk about getting to
the rug and getting to thatsemifinal matchup.
Only four teams in 4A, 5A, 6A uhever make it.
(03:16):
And I was talking with Nickabout this just a few days ago.
There's so many schools andcoaches, including myself as a
head coach, that never got toexperience that, that never
never even got close to it.
And so I just want you to take amoment, we'll start with you,
Coach Kerr, to just reflect alittle bit on what it means for
your program and the communityand Corner Canyon High to get to
(03:38):
this semifinal matchup.
I also just want to give a shoutout and thank you to both of
your administrations, PrincipalKohler there at Corner Canyon,
and Principal Bartholomew atMountain Ridge.
I mean, it it takes full supportfrom everybody involved to make
it happen, but just reflect onthe impact and what it means to
get to Rice Eccle Stadium foryour program in the school.
SPEAKER_03 (04:00):
Yeah, and we talked a little bit after our game when
I talked to our team about that,and just not take it for
granted.
Like it's something that youhave to really maybe just take a
moment and recognize like whatit's taken to get there and
appreciate that.
Like it's a lot of effort.
The kids have put in a ton oftime, not just throughout the
(04:21):
year, but in the off-season,along with parents, along with
our community, along with our,like you said, our
administration, people aroundus.
It's a team effort, and it takesa lot to try to get there, and
to be able to do it is a bigaccomplishment that you want
your kids to appreciate and beable to take that step back when
that does happen and appreciatethose moments because, like you
(04:41):
said, it doesn't happen veryoften.
I was a part of some teams as ahead coach that where we didn't
make it or where we lost in thefirst round or second round and
haven't been able to quite getthere for multiple years, and
same with when I was anassistant.
So I think you have to takethose times and and really just
appreciate it.
And just it's a lot of effort,it's a lot of work, there's a
lot that goes into it.
So it's a good, I mean, that's areally good point just by you to
(05:04):
kind of reflect on some ofthose.
I think sometimes as coaches, weare so quick to move on to the
next thing.
Oh, we got to do this now, wegot to do this.
I think sometimes in football ascoaches, we don't do that
enough, or we pause, reflect alittle bit, and appreciate some
of the things that have taken usto get there.
And even maybe some of theyears, you know, you hear
coaches that are out of it nowthat you know wish they could be
(05:26):
back in it, you know, that theywere coaching.
And I think as a coach,sometimes to reflect that and
appreciate that you're in itright now and that this is what
you get to be and be morepresent while you're here, I
think it's awesome.
SPEAKER_02 (05:36):
Hey, Coach Robbins, just reflect on a little bit.
I cannot imagine what thatexcitement's gotta be like at
Mountain Ridge high this week.
First time at the rug, I'm sureyou know your student body's
gonna show up just like CornerCanyon and just enjoy the
moment.
But what's it gotta be like inthe halls at Mountain Ridge this
week as you gear up to take onCorner Canyon?
SPEAKER_01 (05:59):
Yeah, like Coach Kerr said, I think it's really
easy to forget that you know wehave like earned this moment,
you know what I mean?
And what I didn't realize is howbig of an impact it has on not
only the football team, but likethe drill team, the chair team,
the students that want to getout of school to go to the game.
It's kind of cool to see thesekids being excited for something
(06:20):
at school, you know, becausethere's a lot of things that
they're not excited aboutschool, and yeah, we're just
we're excited to be here.
And I know Coach Kerr's afrequent visitor of Rice Eccles
Stadium, but we're excited, soit just impacts so many students
and families and community.
SPEAKER_02 (06:38):
You know, I totally believe on Friday morning both
Harriman and Draper will becompletely ghost towns because
everybody in those communitieswill show up over at Rice Eccles
to support their teams.
It's one of those things, too,that it just makes high school
great.
Football, you know, really isthe front porch to the start of
the school year, and so I Ithink for both your student
(06:59):
bodies and your communities,this will just be a great day to
be had by all.
So just to build on that alittle bit, and Coach Robbins,
we'll start with you, but talk alittle bit about your season
just in perspective, you know,maybe some of the highs and lows
that you've had this yearthrough adversity and whatnot.
And then just for both of you,talk a little bit about the
(07:20):
state of high school football inUtah.
I mean, as I look at 6Afootball, I I mean it's death
row.
You got Sky Ridge and Davis andLone Peak and AF and Lehigh and
Harriman, and that's just offthe top of my head, right?
The list goes on, but over theyears for me anyway, like the
level of talent in our state inhigh school football, maybe just
(07:41):
speak to your season and whatthat's been like.
I just this morning I waslooking at next year's top
recruits that are coming out ofthe state of Utah, and I mean
the list goes on BYU, Utah, USC,Texas AM, which both of you have
you know multiple players aregonna play at the next level.
But uh, it's just been soimpressive to see high school
football in Utah elevate towhere it is and the level of
(08:04):
play that that you guys areinvolved in.
So maybe talk about your seasonand Utah high school football.
SPEAKER_01 (08:10):
When I got the job, I wanted to make an emphasis
that we wanted to play a youknow pretty tough preseason.
I'm a big believer in gettingyourself ready.
I think that if you play a youknow pretty easy preseason where
you're playing teams that youknow you're gonna beat, it never
doesn't get you ready for thoseplayoff moments where like you
have that adversity and you gotto battle back, or you know,
(08:31):
we're gonna end up running intoa region three team at some
point in the playoffs.
And if you don't experience thatand feel that where you know
there's a lot of talent on thefield, then for us at least it's
gonna negatively impact youlater on in the season.
And so, you know, early on wetook our lumps, you know,
Skyards got us.
We were able to beat Lehigh, andthen Davis got us as well.
(08:52):
So we went one and two to startthe year, and I feel like those
three games really helped us andkind of like it really gave us a
gauge, like, okay, this is wherewe're at, we've got to get
better at these things, we gottabe able to do this, this, this,
to, you know, be able to competewith those teams.
And then I'm I'm really proud ofhow we, you know, you can't
really control who's your inyour region, but I'm really
(09:13):
proud of the way that our guys,you know, came in week in and
week out and competed every weekwith our region, and we ended up
winning the region.
I'm just excited that and Ithink it worked out.
I think it worked out where withthe with the tougher schedule
early on, I think it helped usout later on in the year because
we played Riverton in the firstround and our quarterback got
(09:33):
knocked out, and we scored twotouchdowns on defense.
So, you know, these kids areresilient, and if they didn't
have that adversity early on, Ithink it would have backfired on
us.
SPEAKER_02 (09:46):
So yeah, I've seen that, I've watched both of your
teams play this year, and Ithink one thing that really
stands out to me is just thelevel of toughness.
I mean, both of your teams uhreally excel at hitting and
playing tough and playingphysical football.
So, you know, I I think that's atribute to both of you and just
the cultures that that you'rebuilding.
(10:06):
So, Coach Kerr.
SPEAKER_03 (10:08):
Yeah, season-wise, we try to do the same thing.
We scheduled a team out ofFlorida.
Some of that was because it justgets tough to schedule sometimes
when we were looking for somegood quality opponents, and they
were a good team.
And then we just faced someadversity like flight-wise, game
time-wise, lightning delays,like a ton of stuff there.
But I was proud of the way ourkids worked through that.
And then playing Liberty out ofArizona, who's got a great
(10:30):
defense, was really good for usto work through.
And then we had a big setback,right?
We didn't play well against LonePeak, and they got a really good
football team too.
And you know, we didn't takecare of the ball, and I think it
kind of took our kids back alittle bit, made them focus a
little bit more on just theday-to-day operations of what
we're doing, and then also justkind of making sure that they're
(10:51):
ready to play each week and kindof got going again through our
region, especially through theafter that first game.
I think our kids have beenpretty well locked in and have
done a good job improvingthroughout the year and just
getting better and acceptinglike our process of what we're
doing.
But uh, you know, like coachsaid, it I mean, you got to go
through some adversity and sometough stuff.
Playing good schedules, I think,is the key, especially early to
(11:13):
help get your team ready to go,playoff time.
And we were excited to get backinto region three and felt like
that's always been good for uswhen we were in it before, and
then we jumped out of it for acouple years.
But we did similarly, like whenwe were in another region, we
played a lot of those teams justlike you did early, right?
Two of the top or three of thetop teams in the state through
their schedule, which I think ishuge.
(11:34):
I think it prepares your kids,even though you know your kids
don't see it at that time, theygrow so fast from those
situations.
It you have to put them intosome tough spots to get them to
improve and get better.
And they'll appreciate.
I mean, that's I think CoachLeach used to always say that
like you don't get better bystuff being easy, you get better
and it's more fun through hardthings to prepare your kids.
SPEAKER_02 (11:55):
I really appreciate what what you guys do, and and
Coach Kerr talking about theprocess.
Uh, you know, I watch your teamsearly in the summer, and you
hear coaches say that all thetime that you don't win
championships in June and July,but but it's necessary, right?
You gotta put the work in, andand I think that teaches our
kids, you know, a great lessonjust about resiliency and
(12:16):
perseverance and anything thatyou want to achieve, you have to
put the work in.
It's not just gonna get handedto you.
And I think that's probably oneof the great values of this game
that that we love so much.
This Thursday's the semifinalsin the other bracket, Skyridge
will be taking on Lone Peak, soyou both have common opponents
there, and then the championshipwill be next Thursday, November
(12:37):
20th, also at 11 a.m.
at Rice Eccles.
So I want to just kind of wrapup, talk a little bit about the
game and just a few of yourplayers.
I think it starts off for bothof you uh with the quarterback
uh position and looking at uhHelam and Kasuga and Jackson
Hunt, I think two of the bestquarterbacks in the state, uh
both with yards close to 4,000yards passing, both over 30 uh
(12:59):
plus touchdowns, uh both have uhamazing weapons on the mountain
ridge aside, uh Titan DeJong,Graydon Dumas, you know,
multiple yards and touchdowns,also Cohen Cunningham, and then
on the Corner Canyon aside,Jason Mayberry, Kai Mesa,
obviously a great year, recentcalcomit, Lucas Jackson also,
(13:20):
and then in the running game,Zach Ofisa, Weston Briggs, and
Jackson Cruz.
I mean, these guys have put upbig numbers, but it starts with
the quarterback position, bothbetween 65 and 70 percent, the
completion percentage.
Obviously, we know Heelman'scommitted to Texas AM, Jackson
is just a junior.
So I I know football fans likeme are super excited to watch
(13:40):
these guys get after it onThursday, but maybe talk a
little bit about your offensesand then you know, kind of the
unsung heroes or those offensivelinemen in the trenches.
I've watched both your teams,they're both big, they're both
physical, they're both gonnabring it this Friday.
So maybe speak to a little bitabout your your offensive game
preparation and some keys to thegame there.
Coach Robbins, we'll start withyou, yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (14:02):
All right.
Um, first of all, I want to Iwant to praise Coach Kerron.
I'm a big, you know, I look atstats and stuff, and I think you
guys are averaging what 25 yardsper attempt on your is that what
it is?
SPEAKER_03 (14:17):
Per completion, but not attempt were right around
like 13.
We try to be like in between 11and 14 on attempt.
SPEAKER_01 (14:26):
And that's great.
Like I have that's um, yeah.
Uh as far as our quarterbackgoes, he went through the ringer
this last offseason.
When I got here, they had aprevious starter who uh who had
started the previous two years,and when I got here, I just said
like nobody's job is safe.
Nobody, like you're gonna haveto earn it.
And um time and time again,Jackson Hunt always, you know,
(14:51):
because you want your guy, youyou want your quarterback to be
the guy that like says, heyguys, we're throwing it this
this time, hey guys, hey, youknow, hey coach, can I come in
and watch some more film?
Because we're we're installing anew offense.
Time and time again, JacksonHunt was always that guy, and
you know, and ended upseparating himself to where, you
know, late into July, I waslike, this is our guy.
(15:15):
And uh, even though he hadn'tstarted, and so, you know, and I
made that tough decision, andthe other guy ended up leaving,
which is whatever, but um I justyou know really want to praise
him because he completely earnedwhat he has.
Everything, you know, and I Ireally believe that, you know,
(15:36):
I'm I'm gonna use him as anexample for future players that
I have because it wasn't alwayseasy for him.
Like early on in the summer, youknow, like I don't know if you
remember in the seven-on-seven,I was going three to one reps,
and he was getting the one rep.
And he never he never flinched,he never said, Coach, what are
we gonna do?
blah, blah, blah, blah.
(15:57):
He just showed up over and overand over.
And then we voted for captains,and he was overwhelmingly the
favorite.
I mean, everybody voted forJackson Hunt as captain, and
that was kind of the you know,the clear message to me.
He's been awesome.
SPEAKER_02 (16:14):
Yeah, uh, and I just would comment on that too, Nick.
You know, what I've seen withwith Jackson and uh again as
well with Heleman, both greatleaders.
I mean, tough as nails, but youjust see their control in the
huddle on the field and therespect that they gain from
their teammates.
So definitely lessons learned.
And I might mention, Coach Kerr,before we turn it over to you on
(16:34):
offense, both Jackson andHeleman can run the ball.
I I don't think people give themenough credit, but they're
they're both 300-plus yardrushers, besides the fact.
So just you know, greatathletes.
So, Coach Kerr.
SPEAKER_03 (16:46):
Yeah, I mean, I think we try to sometimes not
run them to try to protect thema little bit too.
Like we've tried to be a littlemore careful.
We you know, he he went downwith an injury last year, so
we've tried to be kind of alittle more smart with him and
rely on our running backs.
We have some good ones thatwe've tried to use a little bit
more, but yeah, the just CoachRobbins has done a great job
with the hunt kid.
(17:06):
It's it you know, just watchinghim in film and like really I
mean, we didn't really knowabout him going into the year
because they had their other kidback who had been a two-year
starter, and just his likedevelopment and how well he's
played, and he just seems likehe's got super like he's just
calm, good poised, stares downpressure and delivers some good
(17:26):
balls and has a good command oftheir offense.
He's been fun to see just hisdevelopment and put up crazy
numbers this year and gettingthe ball into some guys' good
hands, like number four forthem, the Cunningham Kids,
electric, you know, especiallywhen he gets the ball in his
hands.
But just he reminds me of acouple of our undersized guys,
like back at Jordan High Daysthat put up huge numbers, they
(17:49):
were just tough as nails, likechange direction guys, go up and
attack football is justcompetitive as heck.
It was he reminds me a lot ofthose guys.
He's been like just one on thefilm where you're like, uh-oh,
you gotta, you know, make sureyou're prepared and understand
the type of player he is.
And then Heelman's just beenawesome for us, just a really
good leader, been super steadyin his preparation and his
(18:10):
approach to the game, and evenjust his calmness in the game, I
think, is always really good.
Especially I'm a little bitfiery as a coach, so sometimes,
you know, I he reminds me whereI got to keep my emotions down a
little bit with him because he'sjust so calm and does such a
good job and uh trying to learnand help our team and encourage
our guys around him.
And we had a little bit of aunique situation where we won it
(18:33):
last year with a kid who wasback this year as well.
And so we've tried to do alittle bit where we get them
both reps and just to see themsupport each other as much as
they do has been crazy andawesome to have that from both
quarterbacks and both greatleaders, both are captains of
our team, believe they were bothvoted by their peers, and then
the guys around them, too.
Like our receivers have done areally good job.
(18:54):
They've worked their butts offon trying to get better each
week.
We got a good receivers coach,AJ, that does a tremendous job
getting those guys ready.
And then our line's been greatup front with our two tackles or
returning guys from last year,Eason Taffa is our left tackle,
and then Will Chandler's ourright tackle, been doing a
really good job and working hardand not missing practice and
(19:15):
showing up every day, not youknow, even though they're dinged
up a little bit, you know, wheresome guys will try to sit out,
they fight through that, theirprocess has been really good.
Along with, you know, RobbieWhalen, our interior guy, and
our right guard, Jack West, andour left guard Overstreet and
Micah, those guys have all justthat you can't give your line
enough praise.
Those guys have done a greatjob.
(19:35):
And then defensively, I love theway our guys are working over
there across the board, and ourdefensive coaches preparing
them.
It's just fun to see.
That's the great part aboutfootball.
It's so much.
Like Coach knows, like, you gotto do so much, you know, put
everything together, and likethat's why I think it's such a
special game, and this footballteams are so close and coaches
are so close.
SPEAKER_02 (19:55):
I just mentioned you mentioned defense coach, uh
Mason Wood, Jaden Pierce, TPatterson, I mean some of the
standouts this year.
I mean, really making plays andand racking up tackles, and
especially for loss.
And on the Mountain Ridge side,uh Cutler Whitaker, uh Cole
Ulave, whose father happens tobe an assistant principal.
Yeah, he's a good one.
In uh Alta High, so there's aconnection there.
(20:17):
And then also BridgetButterfield on on the Mountain
Ridge side, on the Sentinelside.
So maybe uh Coach Robbins, maybeyou want to speak a little bit
to defense too.
And and I think we, you know,we're always talking about all
three phases of the game.
Um I think when we get this latein in the year, as we've seen in
years past, the kicking game,especially, can really be a big
part of the outcome, especiallywhen the weather gets a little
(20:39):
bit crazy.
Coach Robbins, a little bit onthe defensive side, if you want
to talk about that, and thenwe'll we'll wrap things up here.
SPEAKER_01 (20:45):
Our defensive coordinator of Jackson Peck, um,
he's he's done a phenomenal job.
I didn't I didn't know himbefore, and he had just sent me
an email, and it was funnybecause in his email, uh like
the what's the header orwhatever, it says defensive
coordinator job, and then helike puts in parentheses, I am
(21:06):
not Dave Peck's son.
Um it's just funny.
Yeah, he did.
Uh so yeah, we got him, and thenwe got the we got the Matagi
brothers here.
Um uh Ev Matagi, I know CoachKerr knows him.
Yeah, absolutely.
Um they've done a tremendousjob.
We would not be here without ourdefense.
(21:26):
I mean, we beat Lehigh 9-7.
Yeah.
Again, the Riverton game, youknow, our defense scores three
times and we win by 14 points.
And there's been games wherethey just get those crucial
stops when we need them, youknow what I mean?
And they've ended the game forus many a times, and I just
can't praise them enough fortheir preparation.
(21:46):
And then it's funny because ourour defensive coordinator posted
on Twitter, I don't know if yousaw that, Coach Kerr.
Um, because the Weaver State jobopen.
Oh, yeah.
We were laughing about that.
SPEAKER_03 (22:01):
That was pretty funny actually by him.
I was laughing.
SPEAKER_01 (22:05):
So, you know, we have that's great.
Ultimate respect for youroffense, Coach, and and your
defense, too.
It's been uh interestingwatching film on your defense.
You guys got a lot of dudes, andyour deep defensive coordinator
does a good job, you know,mixing it up and you know, with
the those different type ofcoverages, it's gonna be a it's
gonna be a challenge, but uh,we're excited.
So, yeah, defense.
(22:25):
If we're if we I'm literally notsitting here if we don't have a
good defense, so all the propsto those guys.
SPEAKER_02 (22:32):
Yeah, I look at you know, both of your outputs,
corner well over 50 points pergame uh on offense and Mountain
Ridge well over 35 points pergame, but but you're both stout
on defense.
Corner can and holding teamsdefensively under 13 per game
and Mountain Ridge under 20.
So both of you are gonna comeinto the game you know stacked
and well prepared.
I I think it does, you know, italways comes down to just a few
(22:54):
of those keys with turnovers andand what happens in the
trenches, and then a few bigplays here or there usually make
the difference, and sometimesthat's in the kicking game, as
we've seen at Rice EcclesStadium.
So any last comments on just onkeys to the game, and then we'll
finish up.
SPEAKER_03 (23:10):
Yeah, I mean, I think like coach had talked
about, I think you know,defensively, I don't think you
get here unless you're good ondefense anywhere across the
board.
I think like our guys, ourdefensive guy does a great job,
Coach Gardner, and then ourdefensive personnel like does a
really good job, and it's thesame with them.
Like they're they're two insidebackers, love to fly around,
their outside backers flyaround, they got some good
(23:31):
D-linemen.
Number 99 is really good forthem.
So I think you just get herebecause of that, like those type
of defenses.
Their coach, Coach Peck does agreat job.
He's mixing coverages, and andthey've done well.
Like you could see in theirgames, like they've held people
down, like they held a goodLehigh team, which offensively
is super talented.
I mean, to nothing, really.
I mean, it and then theirRiverton game was crazy just to
(23:52):
see how many turnovers theycreated, and they did a great
job creating those.
And their guys, you know, fly tothe ball and play with reckless
abandon.
So I think being able to controlthat's gonna be a big key for
us.
And then obviously just takingcare of the football is huge.
I think that's and coach willprobably say the same thing
because it's the one stat thathonestly matters is just you
have to control your turn, theturnover game, and you have to
(24:15):
try to win that turnover gameand just and take care of the
football.
That's really the one key.
I mean, I ever we all talk abouteverything else, but it's really
the one thing that matters morethan anything else.
SPEAKER_02 (24:24):
Yeah, you're you're relying on 16 and 17-year-olds.
Exactly.
Taking chances.
All right, Coach Robbins, keysto the game.
SPEAKER_01 (24:32):
Yeah, I think Coach Garrett hit it on the head with
taking care of the ball.
That that Riverton game, ourdefense created turnovers, and
our offense created turnovers.
Yeah.
So we're lucky to get out ofthat one.
I think for us, you know, beingable to, I mean, Corner Canyon's
a physical team.
We've all we always talk abouthere like matching physicality
and being able to not let teamslean on us, and that and we'll
(24:54):
we'll hang our hat on that.
We want to stop the run,obviously, and they got a great
offense as far as throwing theball everywhere.
So, you know, it's just it'sgonna be a great challenge, and
you know, we're we're just youknow, I feel like we're the team
that doesn't have anything tolose, so we're gonna play loose
and be who we are, and we'llhang our hat on that.
So, but much respect to you,coach.
SPEAKER_03 (25:13):
And to you, coach.
Yeah, it's been awesome to seewhat you guys have done in your
first year.
It's it's crazy.
Big congrats to you.
SPEAKER_01 (25:19):
Appreciate it.
But yeah, you guys are thestandard, and we want to match
that.
So um, yeah, appreciate you.
SPEAKER_02 (25:26):
So just to wrap it up, I got one final question for
you.
And I know you guys are youwe're all in this business for
young people and trying to buildup a new generation of kids to
to take over our country andlead our nation, and you're both
leaders of young men and you'rebuilding them into that.
But if you want to share a finalmessage with our student
(25:47):
athletes, and it doesn't have tobe football players, this is any
of our kids in in in either ofour schools or districts, but
just talk a little bit about theimpact the activities and
football has had on your lifeand your family and the benefit,
and just some advice that youmight give, you know, young
people out there.
I mean, there's so much goingon, and so many of our kids are
struggling with lots ofdifferent issues.
(26:10):
But to me, that's one as youmentioned, Coach Kerr, I mean,
that's and Coach Robbins, Imean, that's kind of one of the
beauties of of activities andand not just football but but
sports in general or or whateverit is, whether they want to get
involved in the band or or thisor that.
But what's a message that youmight share about the impact on
your life and your family thatmight be helpful to a young
(26:30):
person out there that'slistening to us today?
Coach Kerr.
SPEAKER_03 (26:35):
Um an opportunity to work with kids and help them in
different ways besides just thefootball scope, or I think any
activity where you get anopportunity where kids are
struggling, especially you seemore with mental health, which
is a close one for me throughyou know, myself, my family, and
other people around me has beensomething that has been a focus
for me and to work through someof those things with some kids
(26:58):
that are struggling and need alittle bit of help and you know,
something beyond the game whereI can help some of these
students out differently,besides just from an athletic
standpoint.
And then I think activities tiedin with that, help them a ton
with that, gives them something,gives them a purpose, something
to maybe concentrate on that'sbeyond, you know, maybe their
(27:19):
own struggles, and then theylearn some tough things by maybe
persevering through some ofthose hard things that they deal
with from either that sport orfrom that activity.
You know what I mean?
You have to, if you don't earn astarting job, what's your
response to that?
Do you keep getting up, do youkeep working hard, do you keep
trying to you know push throughand try to get better?
So I think that that's helped aton, and and something that's
(27:39):
been great for me and for myfamily, and and then being able
to have my own kids that I'vebeen able to coach and push
through some of those toughtimes and adversity too.
SPEAKER_01 (27:51):
He was stating exactly what I would say.
I think that our principal BradyBartholomew, he always talks
about whether we're in sports orjust like in the classroom,
we're dealing with everybody,like everybody's prize
possession, their children, youknow, and everybody has that
much value to their parents, andI think we can, as educators and
(28:14):
coaches, match that and makekids feel like they're wanted,
that they're welcome, and youknow, it goes a long way.
And I think the game of footballdoes that for kids because you
become a part of somethingbigger than yourself.
SPEAKER_02 (28:30):
Thanking both of you for being here today.
This has been you know reallyspecial for me for selfish
reasons as well, just to be tobe superintendent here in
Canyons, but also father to agreat head coach and rising star
in the profession, Nick Robbinsover at Mountain Ridge.
And as I said, very excited tobe part of this kind of this
(28:52):
historic moment on Friday.
I don't know that this happensthat often.
Hope you all out there that arelistening will join us Friday at
11 a.m.
at Rice Eccle Stadium for thisTitanic clash between Mountain
Ridge Sentinels and CornerCanyon Chargers in the 6A State
semifinals.
So thanks for joining us todayon our podcast.
SPEAKER_00 (29:12):
Thanks for listening to this episode of Connect
Canyons.
Connect with us on Twitter,Facebook, or Instagram at
Canyons District or on ourwebsite, CanyonsDistrict.org.
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