2015 Desert Oasis Football Capsule
DESERT OASIS
League: Division I Northwest
Head coach: Brad Talich, first season
2014 record: 2-8 (1-3 Northwest, fourth)
Returning lettermen: Eight
Returning starters: Four offense, four defense
Base offensive set: Multiple
Base defensive set: Multiple
Top offensive players: QB Brannon Flowers (Jr.); WR Branden Peterson (Sr.); T Jack Crane (Sr.); WR Zion Jones (Sr.); G Ryan Knipp (Sr.)
Top defensive players: S Branden Peterson (Sr.); LB Ryan Knipp (Sr.); DL Jordan Daug (Sr.); LB Jason Sanderrs (Jr.); S Jalen Jona (Sr.)
Top newcomers: WR/DB Branden Peterson (Sr.)
Outlook: Before Talich arrived at Coronado, the Cougars had missed the playoffs in five consecutive seasons, and had won a total of two league games in the previous three years. He quickly turned the Cougars into one of the top teams in the Sunrise Region, and they went 10-4 in the Southeast League in his three seasons.
He'll try for a similar transformation at Desert Oasis.
The Diamondbacks have managed just one league win in each of the last three seasons, and have posted a 8-21 record in that time.
Talich's Coronado teams were traditionally strong on defense, something that can't be said of last year's Desert Oasis squad, which allowed an average of 37.2 points.
Cutting that number down will be a priority.
The Diamondbacks will have a new quarterback, a new running back and new receivers on offense.
Look for newcomer Peterson to provide a spark on both sides of the ball, along with returning two-way standout Knipp.
