2012 Pahranagat Valley Football Capsule
PAHRANAGAT VALLEY
Coach: Ken Higbee, 18th season
2011 record: 12-0 (6-0 1A Southern)
Returning starters: Four offense, four defense
Base offensive set: I pro/Spread
Base defensive set: 3-3
Top offensive players: QB Austin Poulsen (Sr.); RB Tyler Higbee (Sr.); TE Mason Stirling (Sr.); TE Tyson Sparrow (Sr.); C Mathew Roemer (Sr.); G Jake Carter (Jr.); WR Jeremy Minick (So.); OL Utah Ray (So.); OL Shota Ray (Sr.); RB Wade Leavitt (So.)
Top defensive players: CB Austin Poulsen (Sr.); LB Tyler Higbee (Sr.); DE Mason Stirling (Sr.); LB Tyson Sparrow (Sr.); LB Mathew Roemer (Sr.); LB Jake Carter (Jr.); CB Jeremy Minick (So.); DE Utah Ray (So.); DL Shota Ray (Sr.); CB Wade Leavitt (So.)
Top newcomer: RB/CB Shawn Wadsworth (Fr.)
Key losses: RB/CB Chase Hansen; TE/LB Kade Wadsworth; C/NG Andy Linares; OL/DL Brandon Carter; TE/DE Derek Hansen
Outlook: The Panthers return the ultra-productive Poulsen from a team that won its fourth straight Class 1A state title, and they’ll enter the season riding a state-record 46-game winning streak.
Pahranagat Valley outscored opponents 792-99 last season, including a 42-0 rout of Carlin in the state final.
Poulsen was named 1A Southern League Co-Most Valuable Player last year, when he completed 66.9 percent of his passes for 1,930 yards and 32 touchdowns with only four interceptions, and rushed for 994 yards and 30 TDs.
Poulsen also was a standout cornerback, logging 53 tackles and seven interceptions.
“He’s really a special player,” Ken Higbee said of Poulsen. “He’s got wheels and throws a pretty nice ball.”
Poulsen will be joined in the backfield by Tyler Higbee, who rushed for 970 yards and 18 TDs last season.
The Panthers’ rushing attack amassed 65 touchdowns last year, and it could be even more impressive in 2012 with Poulsen and Higbee returning.
