Years as Head Coach
2nd Season

Previous Experience
19 years at Highland High School

Assistant Coaches
Dane Beorchia, Akilah Lacey, Bryce Metcalf, Tony Manu, Cade Ackley, Jason Whitmer, Atari Callen

Record Last Year
6-4

State Titles
72, 73, 84, 87, 93, 95, 97, 98, 00, 02, 08, 14, 17

Returning Players
Drew Hymas, QB, 12
Jackson Riddle, RB, 12
Rhidge Barela, WR, 12
Tyson Beckles, RB, 12
Bruce Galo, OL, 12
Dillon Shaw, OL, 12
Dallas Call, OL, 12
Bryant Kelley, OL, 12
Colt Durham, WR, 12
Cy Reno, TE, 12
Colton George, LB, 12
Kai Callen, CB, 11
Hudson John, 12, LB

Returning Players with Honors
Drew Hymas (Co-Offensive POY SEC Conference, 2nd Team All-Conference QB & P)
Colton George (1st Team All-Conference LB)
Kai Callen (1st Team All-Conference DB, 2nd Team All-State DB)
Bruce Galo (1st Team All-Conference OL, 2nd Team All-State OL)
Zerek Younis (2nd Team All-Conference K, 2nd Team All-State K)
Rhidge Barela (1st Team All-Conference WR)
Dillon Shaw (2nd Team All-Conference OL)
Hudson John (2nd Team All-Conference DL)
Colt Durham (Honorable Mention All-Conference WR)
Cy Reno (Honorable Mention All-Conference TE)
Dallas Call (Honorable Mention All-Conference OL)
Bryant Kelly (Honorable Mention All-Conference OL)
Kody Hite (Honorable Mention All-Conference DL)

Key Players lost from last year
Peyton Harding, OL - Leader of our OL last season. 3-year starter experience will be missed

Mason Fullmer, LB - Anchor and Leader in the middle of the field. His playmaking ability and leadership will be missed.

Gunner Wilhelm, LB - His physical nature and sure-tackling will be hard to replace.

Incoming impact players
Kannon Kunz, DB, 12
Simon Gifford, DL, 12
Trayson Bagley, DL, 12
Terrence Tissidimitt, DL, 12
Tyson Beckles, RB, 12
Brennan Carlson, DB, 12

Written by: Marlowe Hereford

The Nick Sorrell era of Highland football began last fall, taking the Rams to a 6-4 record, a perfect 3-0 versus 5A District 5-6 opponents and a trip to the 5A state quarterfinals.

Sorrell, a member of Highland's coaching staff for 18 years before becoming head coach, has numerous players back from last season's team on both offense and defense.

"We return a lot of weapons that are experienced," Sorrell said. "We have the ability to show a variety of different looks on offense using the skil set of our quarterback (Drew Hymas) and our skill positions (Jackson Riddle, Rhidge Barela, Kai Callen) who can do a multitude of things at any given time."

On offense, Sorrell said cleaner execution at the start of games will be a priority.

Defensively, the players have shown their progress during offseason workouts.

"We are much more athletic from top to bottom on defense," Sorrell said. "We will lack experience in some areas, but this unit has really grown together over the offseason."

Sorrell added that communication and being on the same page will be a priority for the Ram defense. He commended the offseason work ethic of the Rams, particularly following the fire in April that damaged the D wing of Highland High School, where the gym, cafeteria, weight room, choir room and band rooms were located.

"These guys never missed a beat and have continued to put in the work which is a testament to the leaders we have in the locker room," Sorrell said.

He added that replacing positions and getting up to speed defensively will be points of emphasis this fall.

Sorrell said Madison will be a team to keep an eye on within 5A District 5-6 this season, particularly with a familiar face to Highland roaming the sidelines for the Bobcats now.

"The addition of (former Highland head coach) Gino Mariani as the offensive coordinator will help find balance for their offense," Sorrell said.

Highland begins the season versus Skyline (Utah) on Aug. 25 at the annual Rocky Mountain Rumble at Madison High School.