Laughlin Capsule Preview
Coach: Jason Leonard (third year)
2007 record: 4-5 (1-4 Southern League)
Returning starters: Four offense, four defense
Returning letterwinners: 15
Top players: RB/MLB Allen Layno (Sr.), QB/OLB Corey Cook (Jr.), LG/DT Michael Johnson (Jr.), RG/DT John Little (Jr.), TE/DE/S Christian Kruse (Jr.)
Top newcomers: FB/OLB Richard Camargo (Sr.)
Base offensive set: I-Form
Base defensive set: 5-1-2/3-3
Outlook: As a Class 1A independent, the Cougars are ineligible for the playoffs this season, but Leonard is optimistic about the program’s direction.
Last season was filled with wild ups and downs for Laughlin, which either won big (70-28 over Sandy Valley) or was blown out (66-0 by Pahranagat Valley).
Depth could be an issue on the offensive line, where the Cougars need to “get back to the basics,” Leonard said.
Laughlin will have to overcome the loss of touted wide receiver/safety Kody Blessing, who broke his collarbone early in training camp.
Still, the Cougars have 23 players in camp, including Layno, who could emerge as the centerpiece of the offense.
"He’s just a workhorse kid," Leonard said of Layno. "He worked hard in the offseason. He’s a kid that’ll ask how we can get better. He can run anywhere we ask him to run. We’re excited to see what he can do on the field."