Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009 | 2:04 a.m.
Canyon Springs High coach Hunkie Cooper has avoided several of the challenges that come with being a first-year head coach.
Cooper won’t have to worry about familiarizing himself with the school or the Pioneers’ personnel because he already has a relationship with the majority of the players from his three years as an assistant for Canyon Springs.
“I know the kids, I know them well,” Cooper said. “I know their parents. I know the environment they live in. I know the environment they thrive in.”
Canyon Springs won only one game last season. For Cooper, it’s no mystery why — they neglected the little things.
Canyon Springs racked up penalty yards, allowed third down conversions and was undisciplined, the coach said.
“I know we have talent,” Cooper said. “Now, it’s just getting it exposed.”
Canyon Springs is particularly talented in the defensive backfield, where senior Paul Woodward and junior Marquon Webster roam. Cooper listed Woodward and Webster as two of the leaders of his team.
Offensively, the Pioneers will platoon juniors Jamaal Martin and Dvante Howard at quarterback. Martin will add a new dimension to Canyon Springs’ rushing game, while Howard can attack defenses through the air.
“We’ve got two different styles of quarterback,” Cooper said. “One’s a runner and one’s a pocket passer so I think they’ll complement each other well and they’ll be able to do good things.”
Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or at [email protected].
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