TEAM FACTS
Coach: Jerry O’Mahony, eighth season, 19-44
Last year: 4-5 overall, 3-4 4A SIC
Postseason: Did not qualify for playoffs
Stadium: Husky Stadium, Emmett
Postseason potential: Emmett has not made a postseason appearance in O’Mahony’s tenure, and this year’s schedule doesn’t put the Huskies in a good position to end that drought. Emmett’s conference season begins with three of the top four teams in the 4A SIC coaches’ poll — BK, Skyview and Middleton.
SCOUTING REPORT
OFFENSE
Emmett led the 4A SIC in passing last season, racking up 218.4 yards per game. The Huskies enter this year with some roster turnover but plenty of potential to equal last year’s 26 points per game output. The outside receivers’ speed is dangerous and the slot receivers know how to get open, presenting a challenge that may haunt opposing secondaries, coach Jerry O’Mahony said.
DEFENSE
Opponents lit up Emmett for 26 points (second-worst in 4A SIC) and 326 yards (seventh) per game in 2010, but did have three of the top 10 interception leaders. Emmett plans to load the box in its 4-4 defense, looking to stuff the run with three returning senior linebackers: Dakota Cole, Wyatt Watts and Aaron Villarin.
OVERVIEW
O’Mahony loved the way the 2010 seniors played the game and believes this year’s challenge is to get the current squad to pick up where they left off. “I have all the confidence in the world in these guys,” he said. “The core group has worked hard and is strong.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Dakota Cole
LB/OT
At 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, Cole has the size to play almost any position on the field. Last season, Cole wrapped up two sacks as a junior, which was half a sack away from the team lead. “He has 4.75 speed, is a great athlete and is very self-motivated,” coach Jerry O’Mahony said.
Patrick O’Mahony
WR/DE/K/P
The senior jack-of-all-trades lines up in the slot as part of a deep, balanced receiving corps, but may have a larger impact on special teams with his foot. “His greatest strength is kicking,” said O’Mahony, who is his father. “His key is passion. He is very driven.”
Casey Barton
QB/FS
Emmett’s new signal caller, a senior, converted from receiver last year. “He’s a mentally tough kid, very fast, and can make the high-percentage throws,” O’Mahony said. In the defensive backfield last year, he snagged three interceptions and returned one for a touchdown.
Wyatt Watts
LB/RB
Watts is the kind of player every coach wants on his team —one who flies around and makes plays. “He’s our best impact player,” O’Mahony said. “He’s a traditional football player with a great understanding and nose for the football.” The 5-10, 180-pound senior had one sack in 2010.
